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Summary: Read this book, then give it to your children
Review: My father was a World War II veteran so I somewhat understood the hardships and sacrifices that his generation had to endure, though he made every effort to shield me from the terrible atrocities that occurred. Even so, I learned a lot by reading this book. I learned how simple people, both men and women of all races,creeds and colors were able to band together when our country needed it the most. Will this ever happen again? Maybe not in our lifetime, but it may happen in the future. After you are done reading this book, save it for your children to read. It will serve as a valuable history lesson to them and I would hope it could teach them something about patriotism, selfless sacrifice, and gratitude to all the people who have served in every war in order to preserve our freedom and the American way of life.
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Summary: THE GENERATION THAT SAVED THE FREE WORLD
Review: In his book Tom truly tells of how the "Greatest Generation" saved the world from a continuing spread of Evil and Communism. Some may argue that the Vietnam Veterans deserve more respect and notiority. However, jumping off the boats on the beach and watching as hundreds of men don't even hit the beach before they are killed and continuing the battle definitely defines the greatest generation that deserves respect. The Greatest Generation is definitely a good history lesson.
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Summary: Worth Reading - Barely
Review: I am a veteran of WWII and was very disappointed in this book. It is totally devoid of emotion. Brokaw generates no real sympathy for his characters and the result is much like reading a dull history book filled with statistics. With the subject matter available he should have been able to bring many tears to the eyes of the reader. I suggest Brokaw read Flags of Our Fathers to discover what real writing is all about.
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Book But...
Review: These are wonderful interviews by Tom Brokaw. And they give you a sense of pride in our country. But "The Greatest Generation"? In Vietnam, the soldiers were fighting in the dark, They didn't know why they were fighting (this generation did) and the people at home were against them. But they fought brillantly under the most horrendous circumstances. I have a friend who received 2 silver stars, 6 bronze stars, 2 purple hearts (face and leg) and 2 commendations. He was a green beret. He is not considered a hero by the citizens of the United States. A wonderful book, Tom. But come down to earth. The greatest generation was those who fought in Nam. It's easy to fight when you are right. But not so easy to fight in the dark. END
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Summary: An important read for our generation.
Review: This book will not go down in history as classic literature. However, the stories it relates are important for those of my generation (I was born in 1967) who really have no comprehension of what our fathers, uncles, and grandfathers (yes, and grandmothers too) were willing to give in order that we may continue to enjoy the freedoms that we have living in the United States.It brought a lump to my throat, and a great desire to say thanks -- to the millions of men and women I will never meet, but gave of themselves more deeply than can be imagined.
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Summary: A must-own for all Americans
Review: Tom Brokaw wrote this book after years of research and interviews, almost 15 years. This book represents their stories. It tells the story of America and the people who's lives were forever changed by Front-page-story events. It is the story of despair and success, triumph and defeat, women and minorities fighting for their causes, soldiers and Marines, and of ordinary people who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Many interesting people contributed to this perfectly written book. I would certainly recommend this book, as Tom Brokaw constructed a masterpiece. Just like being a US Marine, this book makes me proud to be an American. Semper Fi
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Summary: I was hesitant to read it because I think he's pompous fluff
Review: and now that I've read it I still think so. He's preachy and full of himself. Stick with Ambrose for the real thing.
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Summary: The Greatest Generation is just fine!
Review: Tom Brokaw tells the stories of the men & women, the heroes & heroines who came of age during the Great Depression & the Second World War, & who went on to build modern America. This is an absorbing read about our parents & grandparents. Tom Brokaw writes as he speaks, with fluent, descriptive insights. Cogent details set the scenes of the stories of this generation who, three score years ago, readily gave up their futures to either go to war or do the support work for the war effort. Here are the youngsters borne from the ashes of the War To End All Wars; gaining in years even as their nation & those around the world first soared in the post-war hysteria only to plummet later into the Great Depression. Tom Brokaw & his crew have done a superb job!
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Summary: More Sound Than Substance
Review: I picked up this book intending to like it. "Saving Private Ryen" had predisposed me to a certain nostalga for the WWII generation, as had Dole's 1996 candidacy. Disappointment followed. The title, on reflection, is hyperbolic: was this really the greatest generation in all history, or even American history? Greater than the Civil War or Founding Fathers' generations? The stories are well-written, and interesting. The whole is not as great as the sum of the parts, however. I came away with the impression that this was another 'last good war' book, and thus it covering old ground. -Lloyd A. Conway
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Summary: A Great Tribute To A Great Generation But Mediocre Writing!
Review: Brokaw deserves credit for providing a major tribute to a generation that for too long has been underappreciated. Unfortunately, people in their late 70s and older are just seen -- particularly by Gen Xers and Gen Yers -- as OLD; with most of us having little understanding of the sacrifices and contributions they made towards making America what it is today. I agree with Brokaw that the WWII generation may be the greatest generation in America's history for the various reasons he cites in his book. As a book, however,The Greatest Generation, while interesting, does not fulfill the promise I was anticipating. Basically, what Brokaw has done is provide a series of short, somewhat fluffy chronicles of the lives of WWII veterans from various cross-sections of the United States. While these chronicles, as I said, are interesting, they do not provide enough depth and insight into how these individuals' wartime achievements contributed to what they accomplished after the war. Nonetheless, The Greatest Generation is a book worth reading for the main value it provides -- making each of the post-WWII generations understand and appreciate better a generation which, sadly, will not be with us for too much longer.
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