The Greatest Generation Speaks: Letters and Reflections (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Recently I read again Erich Maria Remarque's classic war novel All Quiet on the Western Front..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The popularity and credibility of charismatic news anchor Tom Brokaw ensured bestseller status for The Greatest Generation, Brokaw's homage to the Americans who survived and overcame the depression and World War II. The Greatest Generation Speaks expands his thesis that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to those tough and courageous men and women for ensuring the freedoms and comforts that Americans enjoy today. Their stories, culled from letters, interviews, and personal histories of the Greatest Generation and their family members, are anecdotal but extremely powerful, showing how men and women were sustained by simple ideals of patriotism, family, and fair play. This individualistic portrait is exactly how Americans saw themselves: Brokaw's book is a valid reflection of the times.

During a period of economic hardship and in a country united by the war effort, choices were simple; few people questioned why America was fighting Germany and Japan. Adversity brought out the best, especially in an optimistic culture like America's. As the soldier who found Beethoven's pianos in a Weimar house says after his unit is shelled, "Nothing like a close call to make the morning more beautiful." The greatest impression that war veterans seem to carry back from war is a sense of comradeship that, in spite of pain and loss, render their war years the most rewarding of all their life experiences. Modern life doesn't necessarily have the same certainties. The Greatest Generation Speaks is a healthy reminder of the foundations on which American society is built. --John Stevenson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Brokaw's TV anchorman voice is deep and reassuring, with a remarkable air of patriarchal authority. With so much puff-chested attitude, he launches into this tape's introduction, explaining that the letters and comments contained came to him in a responsive outpouring in reaction to his book The Greatest Generation, which chronicled the varied experiences of World War II veterans. For him, these missives expressed a shared sense of "values," since lost in American life. The material itself is far less posturing, mostly clear-eyed remembrances from former soldiers, medics, clergy and reporters who served in Europe and Asia. From the home front come stories from women munitions workers, war widows and war orphans. Finally, the author tells of making efforts to reunite parties long-ago separated by tragic events. Here, the matters described move vividly into the present, giving the program a sense of real drama and pathos. Based on the 1999 Random hardcover. (Dec.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Delta; First Printing edition (June 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385335385
• ISBN-13: 978-0385335386
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,331,619 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story That Only Personal Letters Can Tell !, May 22, 2000

By	Irvin Goodman - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Greatest Generation Speaks: Letters and Reflections (Hardcover)

This book contains the text of actual letters received by Tom Brokaw, in response to his original successful book "The Greatest Generation." Letters written by and to soldiers, wives, families and friends give a first hand account of WW II and great insight into the WW II generation, as they lived through the depression, went and returned from battle, and came home often finding that their lives would be changed forever. Many of the letters were written at the battlefront, others at the kitchen table, and paint a true picture of the scene for the reader. Families of many of the forgotten heros were anxious to pass these gems kept in old boxes and dresser drawers, on for others to examine. Readers will experience a variety of emotions as they peruse these irreplaceable jewels from love to loss, loneliness to joy. It doesn't matter if the reader agrees with how and what took place or doesn't, but every human being can learn and benefit from the experiences of these people and their families. A great reading experience, and one that you won't soon forget. Read it, and encourage others to do so.

71 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done, December 3, 1999

By	John Thornborrow (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Greatest Generation Speaks: Letters and Reflections (Hardcover)

A very moving look at the people who sacrificed so much for this country and did so quite selflessly. Their stories, feelings, and values are lovingly preserved here and provide inspiration to a currently valueless world.

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A First Class Read and An Excellent Gift, December 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Greatest Generation Speaks (Tom Brokaw) (Audio Cassette)

...especially for any grandparent who went through World War 2. The first book was very good, but hearing these stories in first person was even better. It's hard to think what the world would be like without these heroic people!