Alumni Book Club
The current Alumni Book Club selection is Boom! by Tom Brokaw.
About the Book
In this portrait of a turbulent and controversial era Brokaw explores the 1960s and attempts to determine the impact of the decade on the world today.
Through interviews with prominent figures of the time as well as ordinary citizens Brokaw is able to invoke the emotions and driving forces of the 1960s.
You can order the book from Pacific University's Bookstore.
About the Author
“Tom Brokaw is the author of four bestsellers: The Greatest Generation, The Greatest Generation Speaks, An Album of Memories, and A Long Way from Home. From 1976 to 1981 he anchored Today on NBC. He was the sole anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw from 1983 to 2004.” Random House
Discussion Questions
We encourage you to post comments and "virtually discuss" the novel. To comment on a specific question, click on the link following the question. To view what others have commented, click on Pacific Alumni Blog.
To learn more about Boom! visit Random House.
1. Brokaw covers many issues in Boom! including race, politics, Vietnam, women’s rights, drug culture and counter culture. Do you feel he leaves anything out? What else might Brokaw have used to define the 1960s?
2. Brokaw has mentioned several times that the acts that took place in the 1960s are shaping our lives today. Do you agree?
3. Former president Bill Clinton is quoted in Boom! saying, “If you thought something good came out of the Sixties, you’re probably a Democrat; if you thought the Sixties were bad, you’re probably a Republican.” What do you think of the Sixties? Were the results positive or negative?
4. Boom! is often described as a “reunion of the Class of 1968.” Are you from this generation? What are your thoughts on the book as a “reunion?”
5. Did you miss the 1960s by being born too late? Does this book still resonate with you? Post Your Response!
6. Were you a student at Pacific University between 1963 and 1974? How do Brokaw’s descriptions of the time fit in to your memories of life at Pacific? Post Your Response!
7. Where were you when? Share your story of the 1960s. Post Your Response!