Rating: 
Summary: Extraordinary accomplishments from ordinary people
Review: "The Greatest Generation" is an inspirational collection of short histories about various individuals who served in various roles during World War II. Included is not only stories of soldiers, but also the wives and families left home, some who helped take up the slack in the workplace; the Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps; and famous people who served. Mr. Brokaw says as a group they generally held high standards of moral values and because of this strength they were able to pull together and defeat the greatest threat to freedom in modern times. Although usually reluctant to discuss their wartime experiences, there are many stories shared here of battlefield experiences, as well as what became of these people after they returned home and tried to make up for lost time.
My appreciation for what these men and women did increased. Reading their stories of what they experienced and the trials they faced was very motivational. The only part that I felt wasn't on par with the rest of the book was when it discussed the celebrities and some of the famous politicians (some of whom appeared to have done nothing noteworthy during the war). But other than that it was very inspirational to read about these "ordinary" people who did extraordinary things, both during and after the war. It helped me gain a greater appreciation for my grandparents and those of their generation.
Rating: 
Summary: Preachy, dumbed-down stories with no spirit or innovation
Review: I really looked forward to this book, based on my respect for Tom Brokaw and what I had heard. Unfortunately, he makes his point with a sledgehammer, telling sapppy stories with the same theme over and over, spoon feeding you the point, in case you somehow missed it. Grandma and Grandpa were great, generous, self-sacrificing gods and goddesses, and here are a thousand treacly repetitive stories why. This book condescends to the reader, unfortunately, probably with all good intentions but annoying results. I wasn't able to finish this book, and that's rare for me.
Rating: 
Summary: Paying Tribute to Brave Americans
Review: I recommend this excellent book of true stories from the memories of brave men and women and their families who lived thru the great depression and fought in the second world war. Tom Brokaw walked the beaches of Normandy with American veterans who had returned for the fortieth anniversary of D-Day. He was inspired to reach out and collect individual stories from those difficult years so we will never forget the horrors of that war, the sacrifices by our service men and women and their families, and the results that followed. Finally, a memorial to this generation has been dedicated in Washington D.C. on this, the sixtieth anniversary of D-Day. THE GREATEST GENERATION should occupy a place in our home library, among the works of other historians. You will recognize some of the people in this book, you will be amazed at the achievements and the courage of these ordinary people who survived a perilous time in American history, and you will reflect on your own memories of that time if you are "over sixty". The author acquaints us with some of his own family history and why he feels it important for us to be forever grateful to all those who defend our American freedom and democracy. I thoroughly enjoyed this well researched and well written book.
Rating:
Summary: Paying Tribute to Brave Americans
Review: I recommend this excellent book of true stories from the memories of brave men and women and their families who lived thru the great depression and fought in the second world war. Tom Brokaw walked the beaches of Normandy with American veterans who had returned for the fortieth anniversary of D-Day. He was inspired to reach out and collect individual stories from those difficult years so we will never forget the horrors of that war, the sacrifices by our service men and women and their families, and the results that followed. Finally, a memorial to this generation has been dedicated in Washington D.C. on this, the sixtieth anniversary of D-Day. THE GREATEST GENERATION should occupy a place in our home library, among the works of other historians. You will recognize some of the people in this book, you will be amazed at the achievements and the courage of these ordinary people who survived a perilous time in American history, and you will reflect on your own memories of that time if you are "over sixty". The author acquaints us with some of his own family history and why he feels it important for us to be forever grateful to all those who defend our American freedom and democracy. I thoroughly enjoyed this well researched and well written book.
Rating: 
Summary: Still leaning left
Review: I've read and interviewed several WWII veterans none of them are the liberials that Brokaw tried to make them out as nor has any said to me they fought to further a welfare state. Good stories, great people but be real and stay out of left field
Rating:
Summary: Did not live upto my expectations.
Review: Long ago I learned that disappointment is often related to expectations. So it was withTom Brokaw's book,The Greatest Generation.There was never a problem in putting the book down in as much as "The Book" is a series of news bites each lasting from 30seconds to 5 minutes, with little depth,as most news bites are.I have no doubt that Mr. Brokaw was emotionaly moved when he went abroad to the 40th anniversary of WWII D-Day in 1984. His well meaning tribute to the vetrans of WWII,chronical a number of men and women with whom he had contact over some 15 years as a news analyst. Each vignette describes their war record,how they dealt with the immediate post war period and their accomplishments afterward. The men and women frequently attribute their success to self reliance and leadership skills they learned in the service.Societal changes related to Blacks and Women are woven through his "portraits".The WWII vetrans later in life were certainly the generation that helped foster the changes and deserve credit. In general the book does begin to raise one's consciousness and honors the men and women who served in WWII.
Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading for Baby-Boomers and offspring
Review: Rarely has a book been able to capture the essence of a generation like "The Greatest Generation". Being the son of a WWII veteran and the nephew of a Silver Star recipient,I can attest to the fortitude and quiet courage these people displayed. Mr.Brokaw conveys his message in a strong but subdued manner without overdramafication. It seems as if he is well aware that the stories these brave people have to tell are dramatic and suspenseful enough without having to resort to the sensationalism that is so prevelant in todays' journalistic writings. I especially liked the way Mr.Brokaw intertwined regular everyday Americans with those of some notoriety and fame. In closing, I found this to be a very powerful book and came away with a renewed sense of respect and awe for the generation that had to go from the Great Depression almost immediately into a world war.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Generation
Review: The Greatest Generation is a beautiful tribute to the generation whose lives were most affected by WWII. The stories put together to form this book inspire the reader to live as a hero and fight through the trials of life today in 2004. Every story helps connect the reader with the heroes of that generation. This book inspires people of today to have respect for yesterdays heroes. I would recommend this book to people of all ages. It helps connect each and everyone of us to our past and helps us to respect one another as people, as a country, and as a community. This book highlights the struggles that our grandparents had when they were young and inspires us to overcome the little trials in our everyday lives.
Rating:
Summary: They saved the world...and built modern America......
Review: The term Greatest Generation might smack of journalistic hyperbole or nationalistic jingoism, but the more I read the works of Stephen E. Ambrose (D-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II, Band of Brothers) or watch any of the documentaries about World War II -- especially on this 60th Anniversary of the D-Day landings and other landmark battles of history's largest clash of arms -- that will air from Memorial Day till June 6, the more I am inclined to agree with Tom Brokaw's use of that term to describe the men and women who came of age in the 1930s and '40s and created modern America. Brokaw, one of America's best television journalists and anchor of NBC's Nightly News, not only coined the phrase "the Greatest Generation" when he wrote this amazingly fascinating and inspiring collection of personality profiles of men and women, some famous (Bob Dole, Julia Child, George H.W. Bush), some not-so-famous but prominent (Norman Mineta, Daniel Inouye), and some neither prominent nor famous yet vitally essential (Leonard Lomell, Jeanette Gagne Norton) who either saw combat, contributed to the war effort, or endured the hardships of being separated from loved ones without succumbing to fear or giving in to selfishness or self-pity. In the same concise yet utterly convincing style of his network news writing, Brokaw draws the reader into his chronicles of 50 men and women whose experiences encompass a wide spectrum of the American World War II experience. He captures, for instance, humorist Art Buchwald's seemingly unlikely stint as a Marine in the South Pacific, at first (and almost disastrously) loading ordnance onto Marine Corsair fighter-bombers, then more wisely reassigned to work on the squadron's newsletter and drive trucks. In five pages, Brokaw wonderfully gets the essence of Buchwald's satiric-yet-gentle personality, while at the same time revealing that the least-likely-to-be-a-Marine was given a parade by then-outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Colin Powell. The Greatest Generation is full of vivid personality profiles like Buchwald's. Some, such as that of Len Lomell, highlight bravery in combat; others are like Jeanette Gagne Norton's, whose husband Camille Gagne was killed in Holland during Operation Market-Garden. The recollections Brokaw presents here are full of drama and laughter, of happiness, love, and sometimes shame, but there is no bitterness or self-pity. For these are the men and women that saved the world from tyranny...and made our country what it is today.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring!
Review: Tom Brokaw's novel The Greatest Generation was amazing! As a granddaughter of a WWII vet, I now look at my grandpa in a new light. Brokaw honestly tells the stories of average men and women that fought for our country in WWII. Everyone had different experiences but they all shared the same traits about caring more about others then themselves. I loved the stories about the heroes fighting for our country, but I was also impressed with the many women that also helped defend the country. My grandpa has never said much about the war, until recently. He is beginning to open up and many other vets are sharing their stories as well. Brokaw's novel was so direct yet unexpected with all the thoughts and feelings with all the vets. I love hearing about how these men protected our country and never second guessed why they were fighting the war. I believe, like Tom Brokaw, they are a great generation but I believe that there will be many more "Great Generations" to come. Another group of people will be put to the test and they will also show their colors. For now though, these men and women are truly the greatest generation that the US has produced. I only wish that we all had more time to learn from these individuals.
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