Rating: 
Summary: A Perfect Tribute to Great People
Review: A recent storm in Memphis, TN knocked my power out for 6 days. How fitting that during this period of no air conditioning, Satellite Television or DVDs, one of the books I selected to read was The Greatest Generation. As one generation removed from a family raised on a farm in Missouri, I'm very familiar with the work ethic of my grandparents born around the turn of the century. This book was spectacular! Brokaw weaves his descriptions of what the influences of this generation were, mainly the Depression, with their stories of the war, but also their stories of coming back home and how they lived their lives. Now that they had rescued the world from a tyrant, they came back to America and built a new country filled with conveniences not previously imagined by our rural population. Brokaw does a good job of covering the many different factions of the generation, not just the soldiers. After covering stories of soldiers, he switches gears and covers stories of the women left behind in America and what their lives were like. He also spent a great deal of time covering minorities such as African-American, native Indians, Hispanic, and Japanese Americans. These are fascinating stories and allow the reader to visualize the problems these minorities faced and how they overcame adversity. The most touching chapter for me was the stories of the two girls that married and the husbands immediately were shipped overseas. Both ladies had babies that never met their father. Some of the chapters are just OK but some may bring you to tears as it did me. When I reached one of the final chapters that was titled "Famous People" it felt inappropriate to read this like these "famous people" needed a special chapter when the previous chapters had clearly shown the ultimate sacrifices made by real Americans. I debated stopping right there. After a day, I picked the book back up and read through this section and I'm glad I did even though I didn't find these stories as touching. Some of these people had excellent stories of valor also and the fact they are famous should not be held against them as they sacrificed also. And that is the theme of this book; a generation that made the ultimate sacrifice so that the remainder of us could live excellent lives. The fact that this generation of soldiers felt no need to come back and brag about their exploits is really amazing given the "me" first environment we now find ourselves in. My father-in-law passed away this year and he never mentioned the war although I was aware he was twice wounded in the European effort. So, knowing his days were numbered, I brought the subject up one day in front of his family. He had no problem talking of his exploits but it was really unfulfilling how he described it. It was no longer a big event to him. Just something that happened a long time ago. He was much more interested in the latest football game on television or the four children he raised while working in a blue-collar job. READ THIS BOOK IF YOU ARE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! Recognize the responsibility we have to live to this great standard. Addendum: After rereading some of the negative reviews on this book I'm compelled to at least mention them. It seems the negative reviews fall into journalistic complaints, political dislikes for Brokaw, or jealousy that their generation was not honored. I was actually surprised by the venom directed a the book and there are substantial reviews like this. It does not change my opinion although I certainly honor their beliefs. True, he is not the best writer. But I did not let that limit my emotional attachment to the sacrifices made for some of these people. One writer mentioned watching Saving Private Ryan instead. I have watched that movie repeatedly and feel it is an artistic masterpiece of reflecting the brutality of war. I don't think Brokaw was trying to compare generations. He's just saying that what this generation was called on to do, ie, depression followed by a World War, is deserved of an honor. I am a 49 year old boomer. I do not believe that our generation would be as dedicated to the task although there are massive numbers that would are still there. I'm certainly happy to admit that I'm glad I did not have to fight this type war. I respect everyone's opinion but still felt thrilled to read about the sacrifices made for later generations. I hope to visit Normandy soon and maybe in some way honor this great sacrifice.
Rating: 
Summary: Greatest Generalization
Review: Brokaw delves into the world of what he calls the "Greatest Generation", whom were a group of people that watched Hitler's reign of terror on the world, until the United States was Forced into war. Brokaw's so called "greatest generation" ARE STILL racist, uncultured and ignorant to world issues. I'd rather read the back of a shampoo bottle than this lie. If you want to know about great generations, skip Brokaw's maligned view and head straight for "on the road" or "electric cool aid acid test".
Rating:
Summary: --Inspiring--
Review: My husband and I listened to the audio version of THE GREATEST GENERATION while we were on a road trip. Aside from the fact that the history was enlightening, the stories and the way that Tom Brokaw presented the material made it very entertaining. In his position at NBC News, the author had apparently corresponded, or personally spoken with a lot of World War II veterans and recorded their experiences and inspiring stories into this book. Their thoughts and remembrances are warmly told and it made me proud of the American soldiers, the regular GI's, who gave up a part of their youth and fought so bravely for their country. Their stories are emotional and heartfelt!
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable and Praiseworthy Book!
Review: Everything has been said about content - World War II, it's heroes, its period in time, and the results of a generation of men who returned home to rebuild their lives, to attend college, and to make the world a better place. Their children are now experiencing the fruit of their efforts. I lived through this time period, and Brokaw tells it like it was. A book that gives respect and homage to our elderly heroes. Great book, easy to read and an interesting review of a time period now called history!
Evelyn Horan - teacher/counselor/author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, Books One - Three
Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring Stories
Review: Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation" tells the story of ordinary Americans coping with an extraordinary time. Their collective ability to overcome the difficulties presented by the Second World War and the subsequent challenges they faced after the war left an indelible impression on Brokaw. And it will do the same to you. The stories of all kinds of Americans are here: both overseas and on the home front, men and women, white and black (and Japanese) - showing the effort put forth by this generation was truly a "group effort," and establishing them as a generation worthy of taking its place among the others in American history. As opposed to other reviewers, I don't get the impression that Brokaw was trying to discredit those that came either before or after this particular time in history. Rather, Brokaw makes the case that, because of the battle with Fascism the "free world" was facing at the time, the hardships endured and sacrifices made by these people held greater significance than perhaps ever before (or since). For if these people failed, and Fascism prevailed, what would be the state of the world today? It is not just the later US generations that should be thankful to them, but rather all peoples around the world who owe a debt of gratitude to these remarkable men and women. The tremendous fortitude that enabled them (along with all those around the globe engaged in the struggle) to withstand the destructive dictatorships bent on world domination is legendary and not to be forgotten. Ever.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: I purchased this CD for a college assignment on the war generation. I picked a perfect book. Tom Brokaw truly captures an entire generation with detailed accounts of their heroic challenges they faced. I believe that the only downfall to this book is Tom Brokaw's voice. As nice as it sound on TV doing the news, it seems to be a bit monotone. It started to drive me nuts several times while listening. I guess that's why I chose to purchase the book on CD so I could just stop it at any time and then pick it back up an hour or two later. Overall, it is well worth the money.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, though shallow
Review: When I finally did get around to reading this huge bestseller, I was met with pretty much what I had expected...a breezy, movie-like collection of WWII memories. What this 35-year old gets from Mr. Brokaw's book is that the generation that fought World War II was more honest, harder-working, more dedicatated to their spouses, and more blindly patriotic than succeeding generations. I wouldn't wish to ever take anything away from those that defeated fascism in the 1940s, but this book pushes a near-utopian view of mid-20th century American values that's hard to swallow. It seems to suffer from two key problems: a selective bias as to what kind of biographes Brokaw would include, and an unwillingness to possibly offend the generation being profiled. If this book was all that you ever read about the WWII-generation, you could be forgiven for thinking that veterans never suffered from crushing emotional problems, alcoholism, unemployment or broken marriages. Negative stories of this kind are mostly swept aside in favor of those that fit in with a Hollywood "happily ever after" notion of post-war America in which the high school sweetheart always waited faithfully for her man to return home. While this scenario clearly hapened many times, it's ridiculous to paint an entire generation with this simple broad brush. Even Hollywood movies made during this generation's heyday were more honest. Take a look at "The Best Years of Our Lives", made in 1946. In a way, it's almost a disservice to treat this generation in such a shallow format. Most of the people profiled are given a mere two or three pages to render an entire life's history. Clearly, too short a space in which to deal with complex societal issues, but a length that's just right if all you're going to do is reenforce simple notions of duty, honor and country. I really think that Brokaw's heart was in the right place. He clearly wanted to give these folks their just due, but his effort is far from hard-hitting or completely honest.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Read!
Review: For those that do not/have not known or lived with someone (or many) from this generation, they may never understand just how great they are/were. This book is a true testament to the generation of WWII. I am only 37 years old but was a late-in-life baby for both my parents (and entire family) from this generation. My father fought in England during WWII and this book brought floods of sentiment to my soul. Generations nowadays are not the same. Even I, brought up under the wing of a Depression/WWII era family, though similar in heart am diferent because of the day and age I grew up in and doubt I would sacrifice as much or weather through a war as they had. Thank you for this book.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful
Review: As the well over 400th reviewer of this book I mostly wanted to give it a well deserved "5 stars" and state simply that it was an enjoyable, educational and enlightening read. Perhaps Brokaw's "Greatest Generation" is the last great generation. One in which family, honor and love of "home" seem to have been deeply engrained in those who lived it. I loved this book and wish that many of the "Greatest Generation" members of my family were still alive so I could salute them, hug them, or simply shake their hand.
Rating:
Summary: The Ordinary Generation
Review: I have always found it insulting when the "WWII generation" is referred to as the "greatest generation" when in fact thay were nothing more than ordinary men and women that went through difficult times and rose to the occasion. That's it. How are they any different than the countless Americans who have done exactly the same thing throughout American history? Anyone who thinks that any other American generation wouldn't have or couldn't have risen to the same challenges is too stupid to understand the real meaning of the American Spirit. Brokaw is just one of these stupid morons who couldn't possibly begin to understand this truth about Americans. For those of you that lived through those times, good for you, you did a fine job for yourselves. You basically ran the economy into the ground, you spread socialism throughout the economy and gave govt. control over our lives, then you handed the Soviets eastern Europe and handed China over to the communists, and locked up innocent Americans into concentration camps just because they were Japanese-Americans or Italian-Americans. You must be very proud of yourselves. You elected Roosevelt to four terms even though the guy flooded the govt. with communists, wrecked the economy with socialistic programs, and kept information about the impending attack on Pearl Harbor away from the commanders at Pearl Harbor thus leading to the unnecessary deaths of thousands of American soldiers and sailors. Then, Roosevelt orders the incarceration of thousands of Americans simply because of their ancestry!! This is an outrage for which Roosevelt and his fans have never apologized. ... But it doesn't end there. Now, you are the same people who have strangled social security and have squeezed every cent out of it refusing to allow a restructuring of it so that it can be saved for future generations. Quite a legacy you leave behind. Yeah, quite a generation. Because of you and your "great generation" we have to deal with 50 years of a Cold War debt and greater govt. control of our lives. Thanks, but no thanks. You want to see great Americans? Take a look at our Founding Fathers who gave everything they had to establish this nation. Or, take a look at the Fireman who went into the World Trade Towers knowing is was a suicide mission. Being an American is not about a generation but rather it's an ideal, a spirit, a dream, and a way of life. Any American who possesses those virtues is part of the "Greatest Generation." And those virtues are not relegated to some short time period in American history. They are timeless. This is what Brokaw and others of this myth fail to understand.
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