Rating: 
Summary: Now we know why he is a newscaster
Review: Brokaw delivers a lightweight, sketchy, collection of interviews with World War Two vets, which unfortunately has made him a lot of money and spawned equally mediocre sequels. There are an infinite number of far superior books covering the same ground.
Rating: 
Summary: Read a collection of personal letters or essays instead
Review: There is no doubting Tom Brokaw's sincerity and deep feelings of respect for the WWII generation. It comes through with comments such as the following: > "It is a generation of towering achievement and modest demeanor, a legacy of their formative years when they were participants in and witness to sacrifices of the highest order." > "It is a generation that, by and large, made no demands of homage from those who followed and prospered economically, politically, and culturally because of its sacrifices." > "There is a common theme of pride in all that they've accomplished for themselves, their families and their country, and so little clamor for attention, given all they've done." Agreed, endorsed, and fully appreciated by many of us. I'm no different with a father who ferried paratroops to Normandy in his C-47 "vomit comet" and made cargo hauls to Belgium after that, and a mother who worked in a naval ordinance factory in Glasgow, Scotland. Respect and admiration however is insufficient to get us through 50 fairly repetitive stories. I agree with Mr Brokaw when he says they were proud but "they rarely discussed their experiences, even with each other"; give him credit for getting so many stories out. The reality remains though that the war stories and experiences of our parent's generation may be of great interest to family, but as general readers, we will learn more and are better served by reading a collection of war letters or essays by good historians.
Rating:
Summary: Honor the WWII Generation --- by reading something else
Review: I've read this book and the first sequel, and was extremely disappointed with both. Brokaw is a poor writer, and a lousy editor. Although there are undoubtedly great stories to be told here, Brokaw manages to reduce the life stories of the greatest generation to tedium. It just isn't worth wading through the muck for the occasional nugget of good story. As a gift for someone of the WWII generation, this book might make sense. Otherwise, a person's time would be better spent by reading a WWII book from someone else. Or perhaps by watching "Saving Private Ryan" again. Skip this loser, and the loser sequel. There are better choices out there.
Rating: 
Summary: True heroism.
Review: This book has so much to offer. For the younger generation, it offers us a glimpse of something we've been told about, but can't truly grasp. World War II brought out the best in our nation. We came together under a common cause and were more united than ever. The young men and women of that generation, my age now and younger, were The Greatest Generation without a doubt. These amazing people have shared their stories with Mr. Brokaw, and it is just incredible to learn about the personal contributions that people made for the sake of our country. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a greater appreciation for the sacrifices of previous generations. This book will move you, and you will wholeheartedly have a new appreciation for these people.
Rating:
Summary: not bad, a bit repetitive
Review: Enjoyed this book, although the stories all have a familiar ring and lose their punch a bit. Compelling, overall. For a different perspective, I recommend Jack Nadel's book "My Enemy, My Friend."
Rating: 
Summary: MORE PROPAGANDA
Review: ...from a media master. It should surprise no one that Brokaw venerates the generation that came of age during WWII. Holywood and all the good guys have been beating this drum for decades, now. As has been said by another reviewer, Mr. Brokaw interjects too much of himself in his stealth attack on every other American generation. The reader should remember that the WWII generation gave us Korea, Viet Nam, and made a haven for international communism by building up the Soviet Union and turning over to them all of Eastern Europe. Brokaw's "Greatest Generation" also ushered in the decline of American liberties for the present peculiar brand of socialism that today is the law of the land "across the fruited plain." Having returned conquering heroes, Brokaw's fondly remembered generation would later turn their backs on another generation of veterans whose GI Bill was only a dim shadow of the GI Bill made available to those who served during WWII. Brokaw's good guys would even deny Viet Nam veterans membership access to the VFW until 1973,after more than 40,000 had died in Viet Nam. America's Greatest Generation? You left a few things out, Tom. But, hey, isn't that what American journalism is all about? Oscar Wilde, a man I don't care to quote often, once said, "Art with a purpose is propaganda..." Yes, Oscar, it certainly is.
Rating: 
Summary: A powerful tribute
Review: I am shocked that anyone could find this book "tedious and condescending." I must vehemently disagree with the reviewer who states that The Greatest Generation "minimizes every other generation of people." It does no such thing; it is a moving tribute to a generation that deserves such a tribute. If it weren't for the struggles and heroism of that generation, we might not be here today. The reviewer I refer to writes, "if Mr. Brokaw and others think that my generation hasn't faced death, despair, fear, illness and poverty, he and they are not truly connected to the world in which they live now." To this reviewer, I must say that the current generations of Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers do NOT face such struggle on the same massive level as those who lived (or died) during the Depression and the World Wars. Today's "myriad of stresses that cloud everyday life" cannot be compared to the stresses endured by what Brokaw rightly calls the "Great Generation."
Rating:
Summary: Bits and Pieces
Review: I truly thought that this was a moving and educational book. As someone very removed from the WWII generation, I found this compostion of heroics informational and emotional. Portions of the writing were very cumbersome and heavy, so much so that I had to walk away from the book at times and pick it up again later. However, I do think the entire book is worth reading. I would suggest purchasing the book and reading it in bits and pieces. It would be an excellent addition to anyone's book collection. I think that while everyone should read this book, that everyone who knows a man or woman that came of age during WWII, whether fighting in Europe, Japan, or on our homefront, HAS TO. It will, perhaps, lend meaning and purpose to our past, and shed a light in the direction of our future.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Generation
Review: Book Description and Review After visiting Normandy, in 1984 for the Fortieth Anniversary of D-Day, Tom Brokaw was inspired by the stories of the vets of World War II. Brokaw described this as a life changing experience for he could see the excitement and fear at D-Day. Men would point out their posts and describe the action they had seen and encountered on that fateful day. At the Fiftieth Anniversary he said, "I think this is the greatest generation any society has ever produced." He wrote the book to prove this bold statement and give a tribute to the men and women that lived in this time. Each story is amazing in its own way including everything POWs to WAVES. The book is full of love stories, adventures, and accounts of incredible bravery. One man received a Congressional Metal of Honor for his courage while administering plasma in a war field. Another went up against the speed and agility of the Japanese airforce with amazing results. Some women went to work on the homefront, filing the jobs left by the men, while others joined the Women's division of the Army. Brokaw describe them eloquently when he wrote, "I am in awe of them, and feel privileged to have been a witness of their sacrifices." If Brokaw made one mistake, it is unceasingly inserting himself in the story. His life is irrelevant to this generation because he is younger than these war heroes are. Yet the book remains an excellent primary source history of peoples lives in World War II. It proves how mankind can rise to greatness when he is called to do so.
Rating:
Summary: Worth reading, but it's no masterpiece
Review: This book has it's high and low points. Some of the story's can be very sad, some are dull. Overall, it did give me a much better appreciation of my grandparent's generation. They're gone now, but I feel like I understand a little better what they went through with the Great Depression and WWII. It reads fast, and is easy to put down and come back to later. Thus, a good book for the beach when you're watching the kids. Some people debate whether calling them the "Greatest Generation" is fair, one of them is Andy Rooney - I think his chapter in Brokaw's book is one of the best. It's also neat to see the "than and now" photos of the subjects.
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