His novel approach, from 'Bonfire' to 'Blood'

Tom Wolfe, who grew up in Richmond, Va., got a Ph.D. in American Studies at Yale University and planned to become a professor. Instead, he fell in love with reporting — first for newspapers, then magazines. And in his new novel, Back to Blood, Wolfe did the same extensive research and reporting that characterized his first three novels:

-The Bonfire of the Vanities

(1987) chronicles the demise of a Wall Street bond trader. Tom Hanks and Melanie Griffith starred in the 1990 film adaptation.

-A Man in Full

(1998) deals with the real estate boom and racial tensions in Atlanta.

-I Am Charlotte Simmons

(2004) explores snobbery and sexual promiscuity at a southern college that resembles Duke University.