The Greatest Generation

Rating:
Summary: They are/were the "greatest generation."
Review: Tom Brokaw's book is a revelation to those of us who came of age from the middle 50's on. The individuals included in the book are well-chosen and representative of a cross-section of America at war. I was privileged to have been married to a man of this generation -- and I thought I understood what he was about: there's some- thing to be done, so you just do it. The book reaffirms my thoughts about him. I am ordering two additional copies -- one for each of his sons, my stepsons. It was only in the two years before his death that they came close to understanding what their father was about. I think reading Tom Brokaw's book will enlarge their understanding.

Rating:
Summary: Better Reading: Ambrose
Review: 3 Stars for Brokaw merely stumbles upon a story without understanding or research that shows in some of his facts (in typical NBC fashion). "Citizen Soldier" by S. Ambrose does a much better job of describing actual European Theater Operations (ETO) action. Must not forget the men and women of the Pacific Theater as well. A better book would be "D-Day", also by Ambose, who describes both the incredible story of the invasion at Normandy and the indisputable heroism of that generation. To the 16 year old, take up one of the above mentioned books. You will not want to skip around in these. Awesome. 5 Stars for this generation.

Rating:
Summary: What about the Sumerians?
Review: I think it is convenient that Brokaw picked a relatively current generation to be the greatest of all human history (as if such a choice is really possible). What about the Sumerians in living in 3100 BC with their cities and agriculture? What about the Europeans during the Renaissance? Or those who faced the hardships of the plague? Or those who created the civilizations in China and Japan? Not to take away from Brokaw's subjects but calling any one generation the "Greatest" is arbitrary and impossible.

Rating:
Summary: Deals with patriotism and values.
Review: This book is very easy and interesting to read. This man from South Dakota really knows how to tell an uplifting story.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful recognition of world war two heroes
Review: Mr. Brokaw: Your book on the Greatest Generation was fine and entertaining reading. You should feel great satisfaction that these people finally received the recognition that was due them. On page XXX of the prologue you mentioned that veterans were dying at the rate of 3200 a month. These figures do not add up. If there are appox. six million veterans living then it would take fifty more years or more for them to pass away. I think the V.A. wanted to tell you 32,000 a month. With this figure the actuary rate would be more in line with the remaining people now alive. John Delzenero

Rating:
Summary: Reference to sold "Merchant Marine"is not a person's title
Review: Great book but take great exception to story of person leaving the easy high paying merchant service job to become a para trooper--Nothing against paratroopers but Tom apparently did not read the casualty lists on merchant mariners especially during the first couple years of the war Sailing at time was like commiting suicide

Rating:
Summary: Great idea- may want to stay more on the subject people
Review: The author may want to stay more on the subject of the people you are talking about to make it easier to understand, especially if the readers are not from that generation, as I am only 16. Great idea though! Each generation who had to fight in a war should be remembered!!! Telling each person's story made it much more interesting! I liked that I could skip around without much of a problem.

Rating:
Summary: A talking head doesn't equal a writing head.
Review: Big disappointment. I saw Brokaw on the talk shows and had high hopes for The Greatest Generation. But the author's dry, uninspired writing style made reading more chore than pleasure. I soon found myself skimming. I can recall only a few of the chapters. As a more readable subsitute, I recommend the similar book by Studs Turkel called, I think, The Good War. It was told in the words of the subjects themselves.

Rating:
Summary: very moving
Review: i cried at each chapter, i never really thought much about the sacrifices people made then to make my world better. i'm much more appreciative of the opportunities given to me. i've seen tom brokaw on several talk shows discussing this book-tim russett, etc.-and when i saw how emotional he became when relating the stories, it peaked my interest.

Rating:
Summary: This should be required reading of every high school student
Review: This book made me smile and made me cry. I now have a much better appreciation of my parents generation. My generation and the ones following should learn a valuable lesson from these people. We have become a selfish and lazy society and should be ashamed of ourselves. Thank you Tom Brokaw!