Customer Reviews

The Greatest Generation Collection

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4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just finished this book. I know it's years old, but it's new to me. I sat down with it expecting to basically have a written version of any History Channel documentary about the World War II generation. In some respects, I suppose that's what it is. On the other hand, the vignettes and profiles that Brokaw has included in his book are fascinating, and some are heartrending. To watch one's brother receive a fatal injury in battle, and be helpless to do anything about it . . . that's just horrific.

This book delves into the psyche of the generation of my grandfather. It goes a long way in explaining why and how he interacted with my father, and even with me. Coming from what I sometimes call the "touchy-feely generation," I always wondered why Grandpa never talked about is war experiences. We all knew that he'd been blown over the side of his ship during a kamikaze attack, and that he was subsequently taken prisoner by the Japanese, but that's really about it. He never, ever opened up and talked about it. It was perplexing.

After reading Brokaw's book, I now understand why Grandpa was the way he was a little better. Brokaw chose his subjects well in The Greatest Generation, and I think he builds his case well, too (although he tends toward fluffy adverbial phrases, which I find a bit too saccharine on occassion.) This is an easy read, and it's broken into bite-size chunks that make it an easy book to come back to for specifics. As a teacher, I appreciate Brokaw's insight into the generation that helped to establish the U.S. as a superpower, and the drive and determination that went into everything they did. I've used some of his examples when I approach teaching about the sixties, and how the definition of personal freedom changed with the baby-boomers -- how that clashed with their parents' generation, and why.

Definitely worth the read, and a little personal reflection about how the lessons of our grandparents and parents might be applied today, in a world that could use another generation of heroes.

This is an amazing account of a generation that is all-too-rapidly leaving our ranks. Those who knew members of this generation should consider themselves blessed, as we may never see another group of people quite like this one.

Heard THE GREATEST GENERATION, written and read by Tom
Brokaw.

It is a collection of some 50 stories about Americans born between
1910 and the mid-1920s who "never shined or whimpered" . .. they
instead got us through World War II and then helped build modern
America.

Brokaw divides these tales over eight topics: Ordinary People; Homefront;
Heroes; Women in Uniform and Out; Shame; Love, Marriage and Commitment;
Famous People; and the Arena.

I enjoyed hearing about many folks who would achieve fame in a variety
of endeavors, including Ben Bradlee, Art Buchwald, Andy Rooney and
Julia Child . . . many others entered politics, such as Mark Hatfield, Robert
Dole and George H. W. Bush . . . however, the tale that most moved me
was the one about Thomas Broderick, an ordinary soldier who
was blinded in the war but who went on to become a successful
businessman and father.

I'll have to revisit the print version of the book to see the accompanying
pictures . . . yet I'd do it again (listen to the audio version) just to catch
Brokaw's narration.

Tom Brokaw has coined the World War II generation the greatest generation ever. In this book, he chronicles the lives and times of those who fought in World War II and how it affected them. The book is broken up into sections with miniature biographies of individuals telling of there lives before, during, and after the War.

Undeniably, there were tremendous sacrifices by those in uniform and at home and the whole country rallied to help the troops win the war. The book includes average Joe and Jill type of people as well as more well known veterans such as Hank Greenberg, Bob Dole, Andy Rooney, George H.W. Bush, John F. Kennedy, and Art Buchwald. It also covers the story of women's contributions to the war effort whether in or out of uniform. Additionally, the civil rights issues of equality to minorities is covered in fairly extensive detail. Some of the stories describing the inequalities and discrimination which occurred provided better insight into the nature of things in that day.

By and large, veterans following the war were eager to get on with life, start families and successful business and political careers. The war helped shape their focus and sense of purpose. This generation helped create a framework upon which all living in America today now benefit.

Towards the end of the book, things seemed to slow down a bit and the overall flow of the book could probably have benefited from cutting down the length 50 or so pages. This is not to say the stories were not worthy of being told, it simply had a feeling of weightiness and length at 390 pages.

This book should be a required part of high school curriculum so that all students would better understand the tremendous sacrifice, efforts, and heroics performed by the incredible men and women of this generation. By understanding the values and things that drove this generation, the youth and upcoming leaders of today can draw upon their wisdom and positively shape the future of our nation. Like individual pieces in a jigsaw puzzle come together to create a picture, the individual stories of the regular folks and well known come together to create a picture of the greatest generation America has yet seen.

Tom Brokaw has brought forth one of the most inspiring and touching
accounts ever written.The Greatest Generation is a must-read for each
and every American.
His subjects will leave the reader feeling both admiration and gratitude
for these wonderful individuals and their sacrifices for our great nation.
You will be thankful for being an American when you experience this book.
Jeffrey Bryan
white Oak,NC

I loved this book. It was with interest I read some of the reviews other people wrote about this book after having read it. This book is a tribute to the men and women who, at a very young age went and fought for this country. After the war was over, they went about their lives: Marrying, having children, putting a roof over their heads, food on the table, getting an education.

Veterans of all wars see the ugliest side of life 24/7 while at war.

What this book has are short vignettes on the war experiences of veterans from WWII and how they lived after the war. What struck me was how the Vets improved themselves through education and hard work. All part of the American dream. The veterans featured came from different religions, races and ethnicity. If you want to read a book that puts a positive spin on the "afterlife" of a truly horrible war, this is a good book to read. These vets did not whine or complain about their experiences, they dug in, got to work and succeeded. A lesson that many current Americans (Baby Boomers on) need to learn, as so many people in this county think they are "entitled" to success without working for it . If the writing seems to be on a high school level, so what. I think this book was meant for all to read (no matter what level their reading skills are)and take a lesson from a generation that succeeded without complaint. I agree that the WWII generation truly is the Greatest Generation. I am a Baby Boomer who has personally witnessed the success of the WWII generation. Especially the legacy of "Rosie the Riveter". The women who stayed home got a taste of working and earning money, passed that on to a new generation of women who are now succeeding. I'm in awe of so many of those veterans, they started with nothing and are leaving quite a legacy for the following generations to try and emmulate.

Not quite as good as I hoped but still a very good book about some of the best people of their generation.

I have five uncles and more than a few freinds that served. I am so PROUD of each and every one. Two remain alive today, May GOD bless them, and all of their friends.

If I could visit any other time in history this would be it! This was also my father's generation, so it captured my attention. He was a naval officer during the war and talks about that time often. Despite a horrible war going on, people from this generation talk about this time with great warmth. This was a time of innocence. People learned how to take care of themselves and their families no matter what the hardship. They were much less selfish, and weren't as concerned about only themselves. I loved to hear these stories of survival, and how they made do with what they had. It makes me feel like we have too much today, and wish we had a more simple lifestyle.

Defining the WWII generation, or any generation as the "greatest" is absurd. It is particularly absurd to claim a generation as backwards, racist and hateful as this one as great. The book offers no depth or analysis social or cultural divides. It is simplistic, mind bendingly patronizing and simply insulting. Don't forget, this is the generation which gifted us with the Vietnam War. Do some critical thinking and don't read this garbage.