Politics | 10/03/2008 2:45 pm

Talk to Tom Brokaw! The Author of Boom! Takes Questions From Our Readers

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Courtesy of NBC News

You’ve watched him on the television for decades and perhaps even "talked" to him through the TV.

To celebrate the October 14 release of his trade paperback edition of Boom!, which includes a poignant preface and bonus History Channel 1968 DVD, Tom Brokaw will answer wOw readers’ questions. E-mail your questions to submit@wowowow.com with "Brokaw" in the subject line. Check back often to see if Tom answered your question. He will post his answers on wowOwow.com.

UPDATE 10/16: Tom Brokaw Answers: Every Day I Talk to Tim Russert

As a veteran journalist, husband, father and author, Tom Brokaw is a man we all trust. For 21 years, as the anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News," he traveled around the world for us to report on the most life-changing events of our time. He’s reported on a myriad of subjects ranging from AIDS, the war on terror, Los Angeles gangs, literacy, environmental issues, immigration and political scandals (including Watergate). From Martin Luther King Jr.’s death to the rise of the rock-‘n’-roll sensations, The Beatles, Brokaw has witnessed firsthand some of the most relevant events in history.

Several years ago, Brokaw set out to write a retrospective describing the decade that he believed was one of the most pivotal of our times — the tumultuous 1960s. What he wrote, titled Boom!, was published by Random House one year ago. Written with Brokaw’s honest voice, the recollection of poignant tales and profiles immediately resonated with the Baby Boomer generation, and hence, became a New York Times bestseller.

Need inspiration?

Click here to see personal photographs of Tom Brokaw in the 1960s and pictures from inside Boom!

Win an Autographed Copy of Tom Brokaw’s Book Boom!

Boom! Official Website

An excerpt from the Boom! preface: "One minute it was Ike and the man in the gray flannel suit and the lonely crowd … and the next minute it was time to ‘Turn on, tune in, drop out,’ time for ‘We Shall Overcome’ and ‘Burn, baby, burn.’ While Americans were walking on the moon, Americans were dying in Vietnam. There were assassinations and riots. Jackie Kennedy became Jackie O. There were tie-dye shirts and hard hats; Black Power and law and order; Martin Luther King Jr. and George Wallace; Ronald Reagan and Tom Hayden; Gloria Steinem and Anita Bryant; Mick Jagger and Wayne Newton."

Read more about: Baby Boomers, Books, Boom!, Journalism, Tom Brokaw

52 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Yes, yes, it is time the particpants were forced to stay on topic, and respond - they waste our time. Calling such forums “debates” has been a terrible injustice to the voters. We expect debating standards yet none have been forthcoming in this Presidential group-styled presentation for television. Have you set standards in place for tomorrow’s debate? How will you force answers, and stop the pandering? Please. Thank you.

By C jay on 10/14/2008 11:56 pm

e-mail alert

When conducting an interview, has there ever been a time when you were honestly surprised by the answer you were given?

By Micky Mc on 10/04/2008 12:08 pm

e-mail alert

Mr Brokaw, on Meet The Press, you moderated a debate between McCain strategist Steve Schmidt and Obama strategist David Axelrod At the end you gave yourself the last word , saying “In fairness to everybody here, I’m just going to end on one note. And that is that we continue to poll on who’s best equipped to be Commander in Chief, and John McCain continues to lead in that category despite the criticism from Barack Obama by a factor of 53 to 42 percent in our latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Gentlemen, thank you very much. That was not true. The latest NBC poll actually had no question about Commander in Chief. NBC said you were referring to a poll taken weeks ago—right after the Republican convention and well before Friday’s big national security debate. In each of NBC’s most recent polls Americans chose Obama over McCain.. Since you acted as a laison between the McCain Campaign and lobbied to have Olbermann removed as an Anchor ‘on election night and on nights when there were presidential debates’, because he used “the anchor position to engage in commentary”, how do defend your own misuse of the facts to create ‘commentary’?

By Deni G on 10/04/2008 3:55 pm

e-mail alert

Greetings Ms. Deni G I will be most eagerly awaiting the answer to your EXCELLENT question. Surely Mr. Brokaw will welcome the opportunity to “clear this up?”
+~~

By ~ countrywoman ~ on 10/04/2008 8:51 pm

e-mail alert

Deni, Glad to see you are back in form. I will be looking fwd to that response.

By Brooklyn Gal on 10/04/2008 10:19 pm

e-mail alert

Deni Great and fair question, but I think he was referring to a Wall Street Journal poll because that has been quoted quite a bit. It is about a month old.

By Frannie Em on 10/08/2008 1:00 am

e-mail alert

Deni—-I watched that comment being made as well! And frankly, I was astounded that, it seemed, as though Mr. Brokaw stepped over the invisible line set by Tim Russert and Meet the Press, from a NON-partisan format, to a partisan one. And as one, like you, and many of us on this board, we are VERY aware of the polls—-and at the time—-it seemed as though the comment was a non-paid political advertisement for John McCain! Because the statement was indeed false! Ditto your question!

By Patty E on 10/09/2008 4:55 pm

e-mail alert

Here’s another rare opportunity - gift-wrapped by the women of wow. I guess Mr. Brokaw will pick and chose from questions to answer, although it would be pretty heroic to tackle them all. So here goes; I offer three: 1. As a Huguenot, you share quite the intellectual lineage. As you know, at least eight American Presidents ( Washington, Grant, Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt, Taft, Truman, Ford and Johnson) had Huguenot blood, as did Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Paul Revere. Not to mention twelve other U.S. Presidents who possible links to Huguenot ancestors. To what degree do you feel your own Hugueonot ancestry influences your character and pursuits? 2. The fortunes of the Bush family and larger US imperialistic dynasties were built on brazen war profiteering. Curiously, in 2000, the coffers of the America’s dominant corporations were waning to a level of desperation and the wars resumed on specious evidence. With all the resources of research at their feet, the US media has mostly gone along for the ride in the looting of America. To what extent are members of media acting as stable agents of corporate/war profiteering - and what can be done to rectify this? 3. Your new book, Boom, revisits the 60’s. In the old camp meeting spiritual, Down By the Riverside, we hear the refrain: Ain’t Gonna Study War No More. Americans sang this song, marching arm-in-arm during the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam protests during the 60’s. In your books and career, you’ve been committed to the subject of heroism during wartime. Today, post-60’s, many Americans feel they don’t wanna study war no more - and have dreams for this and future generations to evolve beyond war as a central point of conflict and catharsis. What inspirations in literature, history and economics do you draw from that would redirect our society to start up that world beyond war?

By Emcye Edwards on 10/04/2008 6:04 pm

e-mail alert

Gwen Ifill’s forthcoming book about Obama should certainly have ruled her out as moderator of this debate.. In her effort to overcompensate for her Obama book, Gwen Ifill allowed Palin to dodge questions and there was absolutely no follow up. As Palin winked,dodged,framed,and basically gave a prepared stump speech I felt this was the worse handled debate I’d ever seen. Palin got a free pass and controlled the debate because a poor moderator was more concerned about her own image than moderating questions and follow up. Biden did well and is obviously more knowledgeable and experienced, but this debate suffered from the lack of candor and professionalism we expect from a pro moderator.

By mitzi morris on 10/04/2008 6:48 pm

e-mail alert

To be able to ask one of Dave Letterman’s friends a question is a once in a lifetime opportunity. To ask Tom Brokaw one is priceless. I live in Burbank and watched you here steadily and when you left I saw once again California groom a newsmen only to once again leave the orange for the apple, I guess New York saw your appeal also. All I expect from you is what you do unparalleled, ask the tough question and don’t take them off the hook until they answer. Your advantage is that you have no concerns of ruining your carrier it all ready etched in the Hall of Fame. Do you get as antsy as I, when the your questions are basically ignored ( as Gwen’s were ) and they proceed to give a well rehearsed speech ( and maybe not so well rehearsed ). ? I have to honest and say I am a Obama and Biden ticket holder, but the truth has no hiding places behind political fences painted Republican or Democrat. My respect for you and how you lead your life as a journalist and man is equal to only to that of my Dad and that’s the best you could do. Good Luck, tell Dave to send me some tickets next time your on and make us proud Mr. Brokaw you maverick you.

By Julie Runco on 10/05/2008 12:15 am

e-mail alert

Tom, dahling, as a person at whom mountains of criticism has been pointed, particularly after my death, how do you react to satirists, like Harry Shearer for example, who poke fun at you for your singular pronunciation style of the letter ‘L”?

By Mommy Dearest on 10/05/2008 2:06 pm

e-mail alert

How as a journalist who has gained so much integrity writing about World War II veterans refer to Ayers as a “school reformer” instead of the terrorist that he is? Why not discuss how this man could be a professor in the first place?

By Sue C on 10/06/2008 4:27 pm

e-mail alert

Gollyee ya betcha, Sue, et al, can ya please tell me how Palin managed to graduate from college? Wow with her educational background it is amazing that she could find work? Ayers is old news. Trotted out by McSame/McCain before. Some, not you, are desperate, lost, frustrated that stealing and manipulating a presidential election well my not be possible this go round. Such desperation must cause you sleeplessnights and worrisome days. I’m sad for you and the fact that…..

By Andromeda Jakes on 10/06/2008 9:22 pm

e-mail alert

Tom, On Meet the Press you said: “Chuck, a very senior Republican was startled the other day when he called me and said, ‘What in the world is going on in Florida? Why are we in trouble there?’” Why are senior Republican’s asking you for advice? Do you think that events like this feed into the perception that you’re a biased moderator and closet conservative?

By Rush L on 10/06/2008 9:20 pm

e-mail alert

What concerns me most, I think…? With the Biden Palin ‘debate?’ is that Joe Biden smirked, or smiled a lot. I wonder if perhaps people believe he was smitten by her. I rather believe he was smirking and chuckling to himself about how absurd she was being on live TV, and that she actually believes what she was saying. It is so sad, that in this country our politicians have stooped to such lows, and may be creating a lot of voters who are stoopID! Mr. Brokaw have you in all your years experienced anything like we have witnessed in the past 8 years, in America? (referring to the extremes in NOT truth telling, deception, and complicity.)

By Ro H on 10/06/2008 11:56 pm