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Summary: A wee book
Review: A little bit of fluff. Superficial. Shallow
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Summary: This book has lessons to learn.
Review: My father died on board ship in 1945 and was buried at sea, I was only 2 yrs old. This book makes me sad to think of all the lessons he could have taught me. If you read this book make sure you have a box of tissues close by for the tears you will shed both of sadness and joy. It truly was are greatest generation
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Summary: THE GREATEST OF THE PAST, THE FOCUS OF THE FUTURE
Review: At first, I avoided Tom Brokaw's THE GREATES GENERATION due to the promotional publicity it has received. When I learned that John Caulfield, was one of the people interviewed by Brokaw, I picked up the book and was immediately fascinated by the insight it provides to our parents' (yes I am a baby boomer) generation and world they made for us. THE GREATET GENERATION is one of those books of which you can read any chapter or part in any order. Together the people profiled present a picture of an American with a mission and a generation committed to that mission. They fought the Good War, as Studs Turkels similar work chronicled. Today, we need a focus for the future and I recommend another book THE 2,000 PERCENT SOLUTION by Mitchell, Coles and Metz as a blueprint for how our generation and the next can develop the organizational skills to achieve exponential growth in the 21 Century.
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Summary: Interesting stories of American heroes during WW2
Review: This book was an interesting colaboration of stories by Tom Brokaw. It takes place during World War 2 and touches on every subject for combat heroes overseas to heroes in America making supplies for those overseas. I really enjoyed this book even though some of the stories were a little slow and not action packed. Still they were writen with good insight to give you the feeling you actually know the person. There were many man and women who put their lives on the line for their country and they need to be remembered so that the youth of America will learn the lessons they are telling. Overall this was a good book with good explanations and descriptions even with the occasional story that I think should have been left out.
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Summary: He nailed his main theme pretty well.
Review: Tom's book was a good read. Overall I would rate it as "ok". He nailed his main theme pretty well. The people who fought the war and suffered all of it's horrors came home afterwards and went quietly about their business without fanfare and with no complaining or demands for retributions. That was certainly true to a large extent. However, there actually was a good deal of fanfare and celebration when they arrived home. There was also a huge effort on the part of the government to provide medical assistance and educational opportunites, a point that Brokaw covers but not with the emphasis that it deserves. The G.I. Bill of Rights was probably the finest and one of the most far-reaching government benefits ever conceived. There were also considerable efforts in towns and communities throughout the country. Efforts on the part of private citizens, businesses, churches and other community organizations to welcome home the veterans and to help them get re-established. I know from my own experiences as a youngsterr of 15 that many good deeds were done by many good people. Indeed it was a great generation and those who returrned from the war were magnanimous in their victory. But Brokaw misses a great opportunity to properly credit the millions of ordinary men who were most instrumental in winning the victory and rebuilding their lives and their country in the aftermath. He prefers instead to cite those who became famous and wealthy, those who became well known politicians and those who suffered discrimination on top of their other trevails. Discrimination was a problem during the war but was not the practice of most people, as Brokaw's narrative seems to suggest. In fact the problem was addressed in many ways during the war. A look at today's military will show that the "greatest generation" did not ignore the problem but faced it head on. Today's military exemplifies non-discrimination; a point not mentioned by Brokaw. Brokaw's victims and other non-ordinary folks certainly did their part but by anyone's count, the war was fought and won by ordinary men doing extraordinary things. Of the forty people cited by Brokaw only eight are in this category. As a result this book gives a slanted and inaccurate picture of who did what to whom and for whom. I think of my brother-in-law Jigger and my Uncle Bill and others who I knew who fought in the war and experienced it's horrors and who returned to their homes their families and their work and who demanded nothing but freedom to do so. I expected Mr. Brokaw's book to filled with the stories of such people but there were only eight. The rest was whining about discrimination or extolling the virtues of the rich and famous who were privileged to serve with the ordinary (who really weren't so ordinary). I can't help concluding that Mr. Brokaw dropped the ball at the one-yard line. With two out bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, Mr. Brokaw struck out. The truly great book about the generation of World War II is yet to written. Donald R. MacDonough
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Summary: A Time to Reflect
Review: In speaking with my Grandfather, and in my various trips to Archives II at College Park, I've come to have a better understanding of what "The Greatest Generation" means.The stories within these pages not only reflect a time of war, but a time of morality, freedom and those who felt an obligation or calling to fight for those ideals. My Grandfather is one such man. Joseph A. Dean of the 1268 Combat Engineers may not have been in the thick of battle but his stories and life mirror those within these pages. I thank him and those that went to war along side him, because they took the terrible hand that was delt to them, and made it work. To those that have been offended by this work, I ask you to reflect on your life. The Generation spoke of in this book fought for your rights, and many gave up their lives so you could speak your mind. Isn't it time you use your mind for more than harsh words and sophomoric remarks? Thank you Mr. Brokaw, and thank you Pappa D.!
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Summary: If You Like this try My American Century by Studs Terkel
Review: Mr. Terkel has been studying this generation for years,and has collected many of his stories in the aforementioned book. This is a great book too, but I'm getting tired of friends asking me if I've read this just because its the hot best seller. A book doesn't have to be popular to be good!
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Summary: Great Gift For Dad!
Review: To me, this is a great way to show gratitude for your father. I think sometimes fathers get overlooked, especially from this generation where they were truly warriors raising their family. Give them something that shows your proud of your herritage. jerry
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Summary: AWESOME
Review: Let's look at the facts about this "Greatest Generation". They endured during the two greatest challenges this country has faced: The Great Depression, & World War II. They didn't ask for it. They only played the hand that they were dealt, and they made the most of it. They created the great economic boom that we enjoy today. I salute them. They are true heroes. Tom Brokaw's book will help us to never forget them.
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Summary: Inspiring. The book was a wake up call for me.
Review: It may sound corny to some but the people described in this book represented the values of the majority in their time. It's only because of them and hundreds of thousands like them in the U.S and other countries, that Americans enjoy the riches and freedoms that we take for granted today. The book could have been large enough to fill up a good size library. However, Tom Brokaw did an excellent job of choosing a good cross-section of the country. I was impressed with his own insights to that time and got the feeling that his words were from the heart. As the son of a waist gunner on B-17's and POW who never spoke of the War until his last few years, I whole heartedly agree with the title of this book.
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