The Greatest Generation

Rating:
Summary: A good book that goes on too long.
Review: While the begining stories of the Medal of Honor winners were fascinating - and the stories of the famous were interesting - some of the others didn't grab me. It would have been better if it were somewhat shorter.

I do agree with his premise - These people are from the "Greatest Generation"

Rating:
Summary: I only read half the book, more than I wanted to.
Review: I found the experiences of these people somewhat interesting but not enough to feel that it is a best seller. I was born in Britain and was there until my early twenties, and after reading the short stories of those people I felt as though my story could have been included but never ever thought that it was that interesting for it to be published. I lived through the "Blitz" and had acquaintances killed and bombed out of their homes. When I spoke of these experiences with my five children as they grew up, I could tell by their reactions that it was not one to dwell on. The book I found to be not that interesting. There are probably Tens of Thousands of stories like these, maybe more interesting than in the Greatest Generation.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting (but not as good as I had hoped).
Review: When I first began reading this book, I couldn't put it down. However, the further I got into the book the chapters became less detailed and less well written. It seemed as though the author hurried through the last half of the book. Also in the latter chapters of the book, very little information is provided on the wartime experiences and much more is given on the postwar experiences. Although I would still recommend this book, the author would've had to provide more detail to convince me that this was the "Greatest Generation."

Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: I was so shocked by this book. It took me only three days to read and it was awesome. Brokaw should write more books! I was stunned at all the people and their lives now after the war and depression. I liked how it centered around just the people and not all information and warheads and stuff like that. I was very happy with The Greatest Generation!

Rating:
Summary: Should have been a short story, too repetive
Review: The story was good for the first three chapters, then it was the same story over and over with new names. Highly overrated.

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Generation Deserved Better
Review: Shame on Tom Brokaw for giving an epic title to a book that is clumsily written and tedious to read. I am totally underwhelmed by the lack of substance in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Brokaw's not so in-depth look at WWII generation
Review: Being a WWII buff, when I heard about this book I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. However, shortly after reading the first few stories, I was deeply disappointed. I have utterly lost all respect for Mr. Brocaw's journalistic ability. The book is simplistic (written at about an 8th grade level), repetitive and boring. It feels more like an article from People Magazine than any sort of historical record or work of literature. Devoid of facts and details, it contains very little of anything else.

The generation he is writing about deserves a better tribute than this. I suppose it is to be expected that a member of the info-tainment industry would write something with such little substance. I used to be a loyal viewer of NBC News, I think I'll switch that loyalty to Jim Lehrer and PBS.

Rating:
Summary: A fair picture of the depression/WWII generation
Review: Tom Brokaw's book is an evaluation of those he interviewed, much like the news he reports each night - detailed and personal. For those Marines who want a look at the same information, but just about the enlisted man of the Corps during that period, a comparable book is "Gyrene" written by Wilbur Jones, and published by White Mane Press.

Rating:
Summary: Great Topic respectfully treated, could've been better
Review: I thought Mr. Brokaw took a somewhat condescending attitude to some of these stories by seriously overplaying every possible good quality of these individuals. I started to wonder if these were real humans who accomplished extraordinary things or creations of the author's imagination. I am not arguing with the basic premise that this was an extraordinary generation of people, I just wish the author would have told a more complete story on fewer people and had not thrown in so many cliche compliments. By staying so much on the surface of these people's lives,he did not do them justice and the stories began to sound repetitive. I also noticed that Mr. Brokaw's writings on these people, especially the prominent ones, was colored by his personal political leanings. He seemed to celebrate those whose political beliefs are consistent with his, and apologize or make excuses for those who's positions don't (read Danial Inoye's & Bob Dole's stories for examples). Mr. Brokaw's respect and reverence for the men & women who won WWII is justified & touching. This was a book that needed to be written. I just wish a more polished and serious writer (Steven Ambrose?) had written it.

Rating:
Summary: Touching and informative account of true valor and greatness
Review: Tom Brokaw compiles and organizes amazing stories of valor, lose, hardships, and heroism which characterized the World War II veteranship. As a 21 year old U.S. Marine I draw pride from these accounts while pouring tears of sorrowful thanks for all those heroic boys and girls that answered the call of duty. "The Greatest Generation" is to me an inspiration to keep going and contribute by my service a smite of what has been contributed by those who came before me. Tom Brokaw put forth a must read for anyone whom conciders himself an American patriot.