'The Big Burn' by Timothy Egan - Book Club Discussion Questions

National Book Award Winner Timothy Egan follows up The Worst Hard Time with The Big Burn, stories surrounding the largest wildfire in American history. Use these book club discussion questions on The Big Burn to lead your book club into Egan's narrative history.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal details about The Big Burn by Timothy Egan. Finish the book before reading on.

1. What did you find most fascinating about this story?
2. Had you ever heard of Gifford Pinchot before reading this book? If so, where and why?
3. What are your views on American conservation? Did this book help shape them any differently?
4. If the land needs to burn to be reborn, how should America “fight the fires” in the West today?
5. Today, firefighting accounts for nearly half of the Forest Service budget. Is this what Roosevelt had in mind?
6. Why do you think people like Roosevelt and Pinchot, in a sense “traitors to their class,” are necessary in order to change the public's opinion on issues?
7. Do you think a president like Teddy Roosevelt would be elected in today's America? Why or why not?
8. Do you think The Big Burn saved America? Why or why not?
9. Rate The Big Burn 1 to 5.