'Boom Town' explores the dynamic history of Oklahoma City, from its frenetic founding during the 1889 Land Run to its current aspirations of becoming a world-class metropolis. The narrative intertwines the wild ambitions and the pursuit of order, illustrated vividly through the 2012-13 season of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team and the controversial trade of James Harden. Beyond sports, it dives into battles over urban planning and the aftermath of the 1995 Alfred P. Murrah federal building bombing, painting a portrait of a city emblematic of the American democratic experiment. Sam Anderson's kaleidoscopic tale is a blend of history, sports, urban studies, and personal memoir, populated with diverse characters from NBA stars like Kevin Durant to oddball cultural icons and civil rights activists.