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The Greatest Generation

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 6,176 ratings · 583 reviews

"In the spring of 1984, I went to the northwest of France, to Normandy, to prepare an NBC documentary on the fortieth anniversary of D-Day, the massive and daring Allied invasion of Europe that marked the beginning of the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. There, I underwent a life-changing experience. As I walked the beaches with the American veterans who had returned for...more "In the spring of 1984, I went to the northwest of France, to Normandy, to prepare an NBC documentary on the fortieth anniversary of D-Day, the massive and daring Allied invasion of Europe that marked the beginning of the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. There, I underwent a life-changing experience. As I walked the beaches with the American veterans who had returned for this anniversary, men in their sixties and seventies, and listened to their stories, I was deeply moved and profoundly grateful for all they had done. Ten years later, I returned to Normandy for the fiftieth anniversary of the invasion, and by then I had come to understand what this generation of Americans meant to history. It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced."

In this superb book, Tom Brokaw goes out into America, to tell through the stories of individual men and women the story of a generation, America's citizen heroes and heroines who came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America. This generation was united not only by a common purpose, but also by common values--duty, honor, economy, courage, service, love of family and country, and, above all, responsibility for oneself. In this book, you will meet people whose everyday lives reveal how a generation persevered through war, and were trained by it, and then went on to create interesting and useful lives and the America we have today.

"At a time in their lives when their days and nights should have been filled with innocent adventure, love, and the lessons of the workaday world, they were fighting in the most primitive conditions possible across the bloodied landscape of France, Belgium, Italy, Austria, and the coral islands of the Pacific. They answered the call to save the world from the two most powerful and ruthless military machines ever assembled, instruments of conquest in the hands of fascist maniacs. They faced great odds and a late start, but they did not protest. They succeeded on every front. They won the war; they saved the world. They came home to joyous and short-lived celebrations and immediately began the task of rebuilding their lives and the world they wanted. They married in record numbers and gave birth to another distinctive generation, the Baby Boomers. A grateful nation made it possible for more of them to attend college than any society had ever educated, anywhere. They gave the world new science, literature, art, industry, and economic strength unparalleled in the long curve of history. As they now reach the twilight of their adventurous and productive lives, they remain, for the most part, exceptionally modest. They have so many stories to tell, stories that in many cases they have never told before, because in a deep sense they didn't think that what they were doing was that special, because everyone else was doing it too.

"This book, I hope, will in some small way pay tribute to those men and women who have given us the lives we have today--an American family portrait album of the greatest generation."

In this book you'll meet people like Charles Van Gorder, who set up during D-Day a MASH-like medical facility in the middle of the fighting, and then came home to create a clinic and hospital in his hometown. You'll hear George Bush talk about how, as a Navy Air Corps combat pilot, one of his assignments was to read the mail of the enlisted men under him, to be sure no sensitive military information would be compromised. And so, Bush says, "I learned about life." You'll meet Trudy Elion, winner of the Nobel Prize in medicine, one of the many women in this book who found fulfilling careers in the changed society as a result of the war. You'll meet Martha Putney, one of the first black women to serve in the newly formed WACs. And you'll meet the members of the Romeo Club (Retired Old Men Eating Out), friends for life.

Through these and other stories in The Greatest Generation, you'll relive with ordinary men and women, military heroes, famous people of great achievement, and community leaders how these extraordinary times forged the values and provided the training that made a people and a nation great.

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Paperback, 464 pages

Published May 1st 2001 by Random House Trade Paperbacks (first published 1998)

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Dec 01, 2011 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have a strong interest in history, so I found this to be a fascinating peek into the lives of the WWII generation.

This is a series of little real-life vignettes about various people who served in the war in various capacities, and the effect it had on their lives after they returned to civilian life. These are stories of profound loss, life-long love, deep and abiding friendships. There are stories about women who blazed trails in careers previously closed to women because they stepped in to...more

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Oct 21, 2007 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone

my friend Joyce loaned me this book and I am having a hard time putting it down.. I have always been interested in WWII and this book allows a glimpse into the lives of the men and women who eagerly served their country either here or abroad. one thing I find so entrancing are the individual life stories. It starts with where they were in their lives when the war was raging, what was going on in our country at that time and before, how they participated and what happened to them after the war wa...more

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May 08, 2013 Don rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Finally we have a book that honors this generation who experienced the toughest trials of the 20th century. As a son of a family from this generation, I had long noticed there was always something special about them. This generation is very different from the generations that were born from around 1950 onward, and Tom helps us to understand why. The world events of the time shaped them into who they are. I also think Tom effectively captures the most admirable qualities of this generation in his...more

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Apr 19, 2013 Kyle rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Greatest Generation
The Greatest Generation, by Tom Brokaw, is a book about a collection of people who lived during the WWII. Tom Brokaw goes through the book interviewing people about their past experiences. The range of people being interviewed goes from war veterans to women working in the factories. I am going to write about my favorite person in the book, Bob Bush, and the unique way Tom Brokaw wrote the story.
My favorite character is Bob Bush. He received the Medal of Honor for saving...more The Greatest Generation
The Greatest Generation, by Tom Brokaw, is a book about a collection of people who lived during the WWII. Tom Brokaw goes through the book interviewing people about their past experiences. The range of people being interviewed goes from war veterans to women working in the factories. I am going to write about my favorite person in the book, Bob Bush, and the unique way Tom Brokaw wrote the story.
My favorite character is Bob Bush. He received the Medal of Honor for saving a marine officer that was hit wide out in the open. When Bob Bush joined the U.S. army he told his mom, “Mom, I’m going into the service to help people, not to kill them” (105). This is important to me because I would feel the exact same way. Bob was one of my favorite characters because I connected with him. Bob put the safety and health of others before his own, you can see that here in the next quotation, “Then he was called to help a Marine Officer gravely wounded and lying in the open on a ridge top. Bush didn’t hesitate” (106). He showed that he was concerned for the safety of everyone, not just himself.
The second thing I am going to talk about is the unique writing in the book. The Greatest Generation is not written like usual books. It is mainly a collection of interviews from people that lived during WWII, with a little bit of added insight from Tom Brokaw. “I do not believe my combat experience was in any way responsible for my coming to Texas” (275). This just shows that the book was in an interview format. I think this way of writing is very interesting; it is full of reliable primary sources too.
For my third topic I am going to write about the author, Tom Brokaw. Tom Brokaw was born on February 6th, 1940 in Webster, South Dakota. The Greatest Generation was Tom Brokaw’s first of seven books. Tom Brokaw has been married for 51 years and had three children, all daughters. Tom has had several jobs throughout the years, but they have all been in the TV business. His longest gig was the host of NBC Nightly News, for a total of 21 years.
The grade I gave this book is a 3.75. I gave it this grade because I liked the book, but there were some boring parts that didn’t interest me. I chose these topics because I thought they would be the most fun to write about. Most of this book was interesting and I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys history.
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Apr 19, 2013 Kooolkat123 rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Greatest Generation Book Review
The Greatest Generation is a different kind of book, where there are multiple interviews with a variety of people, opposed to one big story with the same characters throughout the book. In my opinion, the main reason for this difference is that Tom Brokaw, the author, wanted to introduce more than one hero to the reader. Using many different interviews, he is able to do that. Some of the interviews consist of men that were heroes during World War 2, brilliant e...more The Greatest Generation Book Review
The Greatest Generation is a different kind of book, where there are multiple interviews with a variety of people, opposed to one big story with the same characters throughout the book. In my opinion, the main reason for this difference is that Tom Brokaw, the author, wanted to introduce more than one hero to the reader. Using many different interviews, he is able to do that. Some of the interviews consist of men that were heroes during World War 2, brilliant engineers, or sometimes even former presidents. Once you get past the fact that it may be an old history book, you will be inspired by the many heroes of The Greatest Generation.
There were many inspiring characters in this book, my favorite was Joe Foss. Not only did he win the Medal of Honor in the war, but the intriguing way he lived outside the war. That’s what makes Foss my favorite character. “Foss had shut down 26 enemy planes equaling a record from World War 1.” Joe Foss was an incredible pilot during World War 2. Often he was right in the face of the Japanese, and he faced them with courage and bravery. He was able to survive while shutting down a remarkable number of Japanese zeroes. He lost a lot of friends, but continued to fight, instead of breaking down in tears like many would do. Because of all of his heroics, he was able to win the best medal during the war, the Medal of Honor. “He invited me to become his partner on a national quiz show that wanted to cash in on his heroics.” Joe Foss was a very interesting man outside of the war. He invited Tom Brokaw on a game show and they won 600 dollars, which was a lot back then. Joe Foss also was the president of the society of crippled children and adults, because he had a son with a severe disability. He went back into war in the 50’s teaching new soldiers the ways of war. After all that he retired, but still liked to fish, hunt, and stay active throughout his life.
Most of the heroes in this book were unsung. Many heroes like Charles Briscoe, and Johnnie Holmes made a big impact on people’s lives, unnoticed. “What he did not know at the moment was that the B-29 Super-Fortress would be the means of delivering the bomb that would bring Japan to its needs.” Charles Briscoe was a working man; he wouldn’t just go throw money at something that was already built, when he knew he could build it himself. He worked hard throughout his life, and eventually his hard work paid off. He ended up building the plane that would drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, ending World War 2. Johnnie Holmes was another hero I loved reading about. “He encountered real, bitter racial hatred and segregation for the first time.” Johnnie Holmes was a very mentally strong person, considering everywhere he trained for the war including places like Kentucky and Texas, he was beaten, called harsh names, but continued to train, and eventually fought in the war. He fought valiantly in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most deadly battles of World War 2. He lost many comrades, but partly because of his efforts, the United States held off Germany in a battle that turned the tide of the war.
I thought Tom Brokaw did an exceptional job with this book. I’m not a huge history buff, but Tom Brokaw taught me that the 30’s and 40’s really were The Greatest Generation. All of the heroes I read about, facing challenges inside and outside of the war were truly inspiring. Because of this I gave the book a 4/5, all though it could be boring at times, I learned a lot about heroes I had never heard of, every story different, and I am glad that people now realize that the men and women from that generation have brought the peace and happiness today.
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Apr 19, 2013 Jakee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Summary: In The Greatest Generation it provides the reader many interviews on people during the time period of World War 2. Tom Brokaw really gives a feel of how people in that time period made an outstanding difference in our world today and fought valiantly in the war whether it was all on their own or if they were drafted. Everybody put a great effort into the war and that’s why this is the greatest generation.
In the Greatest Generation, the author gives a great feel of what people were deal...more
Summary: In The Greatest Generation it provides the reader many interviews on people during the time period of World War 2. Tom Brokaw really gives a feel of how people in that time period made an outstanding difference in our world today and fought valiantly in the war whether it was all on their own or if they were drafted. Everybody put a great effort into the war and that’s why this is the greatest generation.
In the Greatest Generation, the author gives a great feel of what people were dealing with, when they went into the war. “Volunteer that their spiritual beliefs helped them cope with the constant presence of possible death, serious injury or of anxieties” (55). This shows that people have to know that they could die or be injured at any point during the war. Tom Brokaw uses great detail to explain it as thoroughly as possible. “Kilmer is still very proud that he passed every test along the way and within one year of that day he would get to fly in an airplane” (55). This citation shows that Kilmer was a pilot in World War 2 and he couldn’t wait to fly one of the planes that defended his country during this hard period of time. Brokaw does a good job of explaining this as well.
Tom Brokaw, the author, gives a fine description of every person’s background. “At an early age he became enthralled with the military way of life” (193). This shows that someone he interviewed was willing to except the army way of life. This shows their unique background and Brokaw really focuses on making the army way of life as clear to the reader as possible. “I went into the army to become a man; I told my mama I’m not going to let it break me” (195). This shows that someone wanted to go into in the army to become a changed person, and all though he will face many challenges, it won’t let him break him.
I would give The Greatest Generation a 4 out of 5, because it was very descriptive but seemed confusing at certain parts in the interview. Overall a very well based and detailed book with the experiences of the World War 2 veterans.
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Apr 19, 2013 Jaycee Lamm rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Greatest Generation, more like, the greatest biography of biographies

In the nonfiction book The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, the stories of many people and famous names who gave their strength and time to protect our country and freedom are shared by Brokaw himself. The book included people and details from a 1984 NBC documentary honoring the 40th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy France (D-Day). This book isn’t the average nonfiction history book where the narrator covers the ba...more The Greatest Generation, more like, the greatest biography of biographies

In the nonfiction book The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, the stories of many people and famous names who gave their strength and time to protect our country and freedom are shared by Brokaw himself. The book included people and details from a 1984 NBC documentary honoring the 40th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy France (D-Day). This book isn’t the average nonfiction history book where the narrator covers the basics of that person’s life and significance, rather it clearly states the person’s feelings at the time, their personal accounts’, their mind and body in the state of war, and what became of their future after peace once again was established. Many of these men and women did very good and heroic acts in the war and in their personal life after the war. Take Nao Takasugi as an example, when he was a representative in the California State Assembly, he gave an emotional speech to persuade the California State Government to pass a bill giving $20,000 to all Japanese families who were or had family that were sent to relocation camps during the war as compensation money for the terrible mistake the U.S Government made at the time. In the end, the bill passed with no Representative voting against it. Also Bob Bush, he could have been taking shelter during the battle against Japanese ranks, but he went to a comrade, gave him plasma during the battle, and in the process shot Japanese ranks as he treated his patient. He would later be rewarded the Medal of Honor by Pres. Truman for his heroic act that I’m sure many of his men would not dare take a chance of. These people, the people who suffered during the great depression but yet were healed when the war came to action and ended, were indeed the people of the greatest generation.
Now a lot of the people I have read about had very good stories to share to the American people, but I would say that my favorite person that I read about in this book would be Marine Corps pilot Joe Foss. Mr. Foss, despite having to go through many hell-like events after the war, had been known as an ace in the USMC. Having tied his kills with famous WWI American pilot Eddie Rickenbacker at 26, Joe Foss had been hailed a hero to his friends and to the Marine Corps. Despite several times where he was nearly killed including the time when his first plane that he shot down had returned fire on his plane leaving 200 bullet holes in his plane and he unharmed, and when he fired at a Japanese battleship, he flew so close to the ship he nearly crashed into the ship. Later he would describe the experience as “I flew so close to the ship that I could see the men on the bridge.” Mr. Foss was known to be a very energy-filled person who was never a slow slacker and was like at even when he was 82 years old. According to the book itself, “No one would ever accuse Joe Foss of slowing down. Even now at the rightful age of 82, he inhales life in big, energetic drafts. He is in many ways the quintessential World War Two hero (115).” After he left the Pacific War Theatre in 1943, Foss would receive the Medal of Honor for his actions as a Marine Corps pilot. After the war, Foss would prove his energy-sustained self by going through two marriages, Head of the AFL (American Football League), Starting his own television show, nearly dying from arsenic poisoning due to chewing too many insecticide soaked weeds during the filming of his show, rejecting the production of a John Wayne staring film about Joe’s actions during the war due to the romance added parts to the script, and reshaping his personal life like it should have been long ago. According to the book, “Joe Foss had become an enthusiastic born-again Christian. For an old-whiskey drinking, cigar-smoking, master of profanity who had been an absentee father and husband for most of his marriage, it was a complete makeover.” Foss, despite living a moderate life which could have been avoided had he not been a wasted drunk that cared for nothing (which drinking, smoking, and cussing was a common act in society back then) until he changed his ways and actions at a later time than recommended, was a very quick working and heroic man.
We now discuss about the two most thrilling biographies in the book. These two people were one of only a few humans with these traits and life that they lived. One of them spent many years, which could have been spent receiving an education, in a relocation camp which left a deep scar on the history of his people in America, and the other had described work as an essential thing in life that everyone needs to understand. His philosophy and advice would enable him to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions as a medic during the war in the pacific. The biographies of Nao Takasugi and Bob Bush, the two most thrilling biographies in the entire book. Nao Takasugi was Japanese born American who lived in the state of California (like most Japanese citizens did at the time) and had been raised in a family who ran a grocery store. Nao was a Nisei (Japanese classification of Japanese people born in American who practice modernized traits) that at the time of the war was working in school to receive an education to become a successful person. But after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941, Nao’s life would sink like the ships that his people sank at Pearl. Takasugi and his family were sent to Japanese relocation camps where they would spend the entire war in small huts in a camp which had a very bad environment for human life. His family had to give up their grocery store on the day when they were told to leave, and after that, the event would leave Takasugi scarred. Years later, Takasugi became a politician for the California State Assembly and in the late 90s when the State was voting for a resolution which would pay $20,000 in compensation money to Japanese families sent to relocation camps. When Takasugi took the floor, all went quiet. According to the book, Takasugi emotionally gave a speech detailing the resolution and begging for the politicians to vote for it, “They may fade, but they will never go away, we lost liberties that you can never repay with $20,000. (…) a small bit of redress, of fair play…for these kids. I urge your aye vote. The resolution passed 62-0.” Takasugi now resides in California with his beloved wife and family. Bob Bush was a Medic in the Navy at the time of the war that was very young around the time he became known as a hero for his actions on a hill during a Japanese attack. He was not even eighteen when he was deployed out to the bloody pacific where many intense battles were fought with the Japanese forces. One day when the Japanese were attacking his squad during battle, many of his comrades became wounded as the Japanese forces were charging towards his group. Bush, as a medic, grabbed a bottle of Plasma and went to one of his fellow soldiers after he rescued a few of his buddies. Bush then grabbed for his pistol and as he treated his friend, he fired on to the Japanese troops firing at him. When reinforcements arrived, Bush, having killed six Japanese soldiers and his pistol hot and empty, was on the ground severely wounded. He was sent home after that to be treated and unfortunately lost an eye. Later he would be receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions as quoted from the book, “He resolutely maintained the flaw of life-giving plasma. With the bottle held high in one hand, (…) he drew his pistol with the other, and fired into enemy ranks until his ammunition was expended.” Bush would later live on to be a guy who enjoyed doing work and was known to have said that there is one word that people in this generation need to understand, work! He now runs a lumber yard with his beloved wife and kids.

All in all, I would rate this book a 4 out of 5. Brokaw’s work is very interesting and heart grasping as he interviewed these amazing people and shared their thrilling stories of the horrible events and heroic deeds they performed in the Second World War. However Brokaw should have thought about maybe making better transitions in between biographies instead of literally listing them as if it is an all-in-one nonfiction book with a hundred different biographies in a list. I would recommend that a nice transition in between biographies would be for example, “Crawford was a very determined soldier who at first was dedicated to give his life for his country, but in the end was honored for saving the lives of his entire squad. But now we move on to the time of terror seen at Pearl Harbor seen through the eyes of Paul Kriss.” If transitions like that were added to the book, than that would pull the reader closer to the book and to the next story.
I highly would recommend this work of history as one of ten books that you must read before you die. It is a true work of keeping America’s history alive and the stories of those who fought for freedom, told for the rest of time.

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Feb 21, 2013 Jungho L. rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book is about World War 2 veterans and heroes. It tells about there heroic might and bravery. This book tells you 47 different stories of veterans. One of the veterans is George Bush, the person who would later become president of the United States of America. He was one of the youngest navy pilot in the war. His plane was named Barbara. An interesting thing is that a lot of the veterans mentioned went to ivy league colleges. Senator Daniel Inouye fought in the war too and also a doctor nam...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Rob Kirkham rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: education, non-fiction, read-2012, autobiography-biography-memoir

Here are my thoughts on reading The Greatest Generation (I apologise in advance for the verbosity):

Over sixteen million American men and women served their country during the second world war and estimates from the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration indicate that just over one million veterans of this war are still alive today. Some reports suggest that veterans of WWII are dying at rates near 1000 per day, which means it will not be long until there are no living memories of...more Here are my thoughts on reading The Greatest Generation (I apologise in advance for the verbosity):

Over sixteen million American men and women served their country during the second world war and estimates from the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration indicate that just over one million veterans of this war are still alive today. Some reports suggest that veterans of WWII are dying at rates near 1000 per day, which means it will not be long until there are no living memories of the worst war in modern times. This is significant. It is imperative that we maintain in our memories, not simply the legacy of these men and women, but the awful, gruesome affair they endured that earned their generation the title: “The Greatest.”

When I first stumbled upon Tom Brokaw’s book, I was working as an aide in the English department of Mountain View High School. While taking inventory of the bookroom, I encountered a floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with The Greatest Generation. The book’s red white and blue color scheme evoked a veritable gag reflex as I faced the wall of what I supposed to be sentimental, patriotic propaganda. I arrogantly scoffed at the title’s presumption. I truly believed I would never read the book. I am fiercely anti-war, not to mention strongly opposed to the military in general, and I thought this book would be a glamorization of the war and a deification of those who fought; that it would commit the crime mentioned in Vonnegut’s Slaughter-house Five of portraying soldiers as valiant, heroic men, championed for their ability to kill instead of the more accurate depiction of young boys, scared and far from home. No wonder this volume had been seemingly relegated to the back, seldomly visited corner of the department’s storage room, I thought. I would never want to teach it, that’s for sure.

Looking back, my views on the military--and even Brokaw’s book--were immature. I made the mistake of lumping the humans in with the whole military machine, forgetting, or perhaps more accurately ignoring, the fact that these people, these young men and women, did not always choose to fight; they were not to blame for creating the mess; and they should not be victimized or held responsible for the evil intentions and actions of other, more powerful, greedy, and corrupt humans. It’s not that I have come to embrace the inevitability of war and the necessity of a military force--which I of course acknowledge, but I will never embrace--but I have come to believe that the best argument against future war may well be the remembrance of wars past.

War is not glamorous, it is not pretty, and it is most certainly not clean, and no one knows that better than those that have experienced this hell first hand, which I thankfully have not. I distinctly remember the occasion in my childhood when my father brought the family together to watch Steven Spielberg's amazing film, “Saving Private Ryan,” which is rated R, a taboo in my household growing up. In my naively puritanical bewilderment I reminded my family that we don’t watch those kinds of movies. I will never forget my wonderful grandpa’s quick retort: “The war was rated R,” which was most certainly an understatement. My grandpa was a sailor in the war and he often recounted tales from his time on the LCI 222. His military service shaped the rest of his life, and he lived a great life. He was the greatest man I have ever known.

It pains me somewhat to write that last sentence in the past tense. My grandfather died not long ago. His death wasn’t foreshadowed by a long period of struggle. In fact, he was still going to work every day at the company he built shortly after he returned home from the pacific. He undoubtedly possessed the matchless work ethic Brokaw claims to be indicative of his generation. His moral principles were solid because they had endured the fiery kiln of war. He lived a rich and great life, and he was buried with full military honors surrounded by those he’d left behind to carry on his legacy. I was touched by the seriousness with which the color guard performed the ceremony at the funeral. Those former soldiers and volunteers paid a deeply moving tribute to a man they only knew through the bond of service. I was inspired by their words, which have escaped my recollection, and I understood, as his coffin was lowered into the snowy ground, that something significant had occurred. With his passing, my grandfather took with him one of the few remaining first-hand memories of World War Two.

With the passing of my grandfather’s generation, we must carefully decide how we will carry their legacy forward. On one hand, we should champion their dignity and valor. These men and women are exemplary. But on the other hand, we must be cautious as to avoid the pitfall of remembering the glory while ignoring the ugly brutality of war that these men and women faced. My fear is that we will become more and more removed from the reality of war since these memories exist in fewer and fewer members of our society. My fear is along the same vein as Santayana’s insight, if we do not remember the past we will be condemned to repeat it. It is not enough to remember the men and women as heros. We must be careful when forming the rhetoric with which we reminisce about war and those who fought them. We must also remember what they endured, in all its grotesquery, so as to never repeat the atrocities.

Brokaw’s book succeeds in capturing the humanity of these veterans, and he acknowledges many of my concerns early in the text. He portrays the men and women whose lives he details as the greatest generation, and it is this fact that makes me leery of this book. Time after time he explains how the war positively shaped these people’s lives. Indeed, I have mentioned how the war positively shaped the life of my own grandpa, but that does not mean that the war was good. I think I would be hard pressed to find a lot of people who disagree with my argument, but I feel compelled to make it. We must not confuse good results with good methods. We should read and study books like this one, books that raise our spirits and inspire us to honor our elders, but we should not allow our raised spirits and good feelings to deceive us into believing that war is honorable. It is not.

The men and women who served deserve our thanks and admiration, but the blind patriotism and sense of American exceptionalism that occasionally derives from our holidays and celebrations, and even the rhetoric of book titles like, The Greatest Generations, should be kept in check.(less)

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Sep 10, 2012 John Nevola rated it 5 of 5 stars

Although I don't always agree with him, Brokaw deserves great credit for documenting and immortalizing some of the people who comprise the Greatest Generation.
As more and more of these great warriors pass on every day, we are losing the collective memories and recollections of these people at an astonishing rate. The fact that they were shaken from their near-universal silence to finally share their most disturbing memories and deepest fears is a tribute to Tom Brokaw. He made it "all right" to...more Although I don't always agree with him, Brokaw deserves great credit for documenting and immortalizing some of the people who comprise the Greatest Generation.
As more and more of these great warriors pass on every day, we are losing the collective memories and recollections of these people at an astonishing rate. The fact that they were shaken from their near-universal silence to finally share their most disturbing memories and deepest fears is a tribute to Tom Brokaw. He made it "all right" to talk about what happened and posterity will be the beneficiary of these witnesses to living history.
The War was their defining accomplishment but struggling and surviving through the Great Depression was no walk in the park either. This double-barreled challenge was enough to sink any generation but these folks were made of sterner stuff. They persevered and they prevailed and they came home to rebuild America and raise a family. Many used the benefits of the GI Bill to get an education that was once beyond their reach. They then went about the business of converting a potent war production machine into a vibrant and thriving peacetime economy.
Some have accused them of raising a generation of whining and selfish offspring, The Baby Boomers. I don't agree. Giving their children the security they fought for and material advantages they never had was the most natural thing for them to do. And not all Boomers are self-centered narcissists. After all, some of them did put a man on the moon.
So in defense of the Greatest Generation with regard to their offspring, most of us will never know "what it's like to be 22 years old and already know that you will never do anything more important for the rest of your life than what you have already done?" (Quoted from The Last Jump page 505)
The book is fabulous and the stories are deeply personal and revealing. They simply engender more respect and honor for these great citizens. And it pays respect to the often-forgotten women who made such an outstanding contribution to the ultimate victory.
And it was Tom Brokaw who took the great risk of recording some painful memories and in the process unleashed the torrent of repressed recollections of many other aging veterans. The Veteran Oral Histories Project Act (Public Law 106-380) passed in 2000 funded the recording of the experiences and memories of many veterans who were set free by the highly positive public adulation to The Greatest Generation published 2 years prior. For that, history truly owes Tom Brokaw a great debt of gratitude
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Jul 18, 2012 Nomad rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: history

I read this after the Elm Creek Quilts Sampler, mostly because so much of that series hinges on choices made by the main protaganist during World War 2. So, like following a rabbit trail, that book lead me to this book. It's a book about the many stories from the World War 2 generation. How they grew up in the 1930's during the Great Depression and how when the 1940's came, they were locked in a war with the German Nazis, the Japanese and the Italians. And, it's in their words, these are their s...more I read this after the Elm Creek Quilts Sampler, mostly because so much of that series hinges on choices made by the main protaganist during World War 2. So, like following a rabbit trail, that book lead me to this book. It's a book about the many stories from the World War 2 generation. How they grew up in the 1930's during the Great Depression and how when the 1940's came, they were locked in a war with the German Nazis, the Japanese and the Italians. And, it's in their words, these are their stories as they told them to Tom Brokaw and the book is just so intense for that fact.

I'm not sure that I agree with Mr. Brokaw that the World War 2 generation was the "greatest generation any society has ever produced" but I do think that they accomplished things that many of us today cannot fathom. Though perhaps someday soon another worldwide crisis will shake the foundations of everything we know and remake the map and how we think about ourselves. As the book itself says, those are the cycles of history. Eventually all the smaller brushfire wars and conflicts find a way to explode into a war that draws EVERYONE in. It has happened before, it will happen again... someday. Maybe not in my lifetime, or maybe not till I'm very elderly, but it WILL happen. That's how humanity seems to work, we never tire of finding new depths of inhumanity to sink to. And thus others have to find new heights of nobility to rise to.

But enough philosophizing. The book is well done, it's broken up into sections that touch upon different segments of the population.

1. Ordinary People: The work-a-day joes who went off to fight the war in vast and untold numbers. And how they came home and made new lives for themselves afterwards.

2. The Homefront: The women who became Rosie the Riviters and took the jobs that the men left to go fight the war and thus kept the country running in their absensce. The men who invented the new weapons and airplanes that won the war.

3. Heroes: Congressional Medal of Honor winners and the amazing feats of bravery that got them the highest military award in the United States. Some pulse pounding reading of adventure... and it's all true.

4. Women in Uniform and Out: Mostly focuses on the women who also joined the military in new and untold numbers and forever changed the face of the United States military. Includes Mary Louise Roberts Wilson of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps who was the first woman to ever be awarded the Silver Star for gallantry under fire.

5. Love, Marriage and Commitment: The couples who kept their marriages alive during the war and how they were able to remake those marriages and have them last when reunited. Also there are the stories of 2 women whose husbands DIDN'T come home and how they moved on and found love again and made families for themselves in midst of horrendous loss.

6. Shame: No story about this generation can afford to ignore the dispicable and institutionalized racism that pervaded the United States at this time. Here are the stories of Black and Native American citizens who were eager to serve and fight for their country and were being denied their basic dignity and some very fundemental civil and human rights. Also are the stories of Japanese Americans who were herded into "internment camps" after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and kept there for years even though there was not ONE documented case of espionage in the Japanese community and the German and Italian American communities were not treated thusly. It is to Mr. Brokaw's credit that he does not turn away from these difficult and uncomfortable truths of our history.

7. Famous People: The writers, journalists, entertainers, industrialists and politicians, including one former President, who went overseas and had the course of their lives changed by the war. Of note, not many people know that Julia Child, the French chef du jour and the woman who remade the idea of home cooking was in the OSS during the war, stationed in China. The OSS (Office of Stratigic Services) was the presursor to the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency).

8. The Arena: Here are the congressmen, senators, judges, cabinet members and advisors to presidents who were in the war. People from ofen humble beginings who rose to what must have seemed unimaginable heights because of the lessons learned in the war.

For the history this book is amazing, and for those of us who enjoy a retro tale of a bygone era, this works too. But mostly, it reinforces the notion that fiction is wonderful, but it's always inspired by the loves, losses and heroism of real people in real places. (less)

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Jun 07, 2012 Joy H. marked it as listened-to-partially

Shelves: world-war-ll, non-fiction, audio-version

Added 6/7/12.
I did not read this book but rented the audio version from our public library. I listened to part of it. Tom Brokaw relates the stories of veterans of WW2.

Goodreads member, Sephanie, wrote the following in her review:
=====================================
"This is a series of little real-life vignettes about various people who served in the war in various capacities, and the effect it had on their lives after they returned to civilian life. These are stories of profound loss, life-lon...more

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Dec 30, 2011 Pamela rated it 4 of 5 stars

The style of writing wasn't the most readable, thus four stars (thought Brokaw would be a more engaging writer), but the reader is definitely persuaded that the WWII generation was the greatest generation, simply by the stories themselves. In fact, Brokaw could have included more stories of the home front effort because what singles this generation out is the fact that an entire generation of men and women was directly affected by the war effort; perhaps no complete generation since has been so...more

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May 14, 2010 Jessi Hafeman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"It is a generation of towering achievement and modest demeanor..."

This book celebrates how amazing my grandfather's generation was. After reading it, I was saddened that this generation is almost lost to us, inspired by the stories, and grateful that this book was written to preserve a people so extraordinary and selfless.

"...wars are celebrated for what they achieved. For the warriors who live, the consequences of war become a lifelong condition."

Just read page 24, the last three paragraphs i...more

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Aug 18, 2009 Chandra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Alright, I am cheating just a bit by reviewing it now because I do have about 15 pages left to go...but I have enjoyed reading this book for a couple of reasons. First, it was one of the many books I inherited five years ago from my father-in-law that I simply haven't had a chance to read. Secondly, the book has been an interesting read. Brokaw has very positive things to say about each of the "heroes" highlighted in the book (some famous, some not). One of the themes he continually returns to i...more

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Jun 06, 2010 jane rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: wwii

I was born July 1941-my father had fought in the" African Theatre" but was home-I remember as a family rationing butter-remember mother assisting the American Red Cross-rolling bandages and helping with some of the wounded veterans hospitalized in a large estate nearby in N.J.

I wish I had read this book after my father finished it before he passed away.

I just recently learned of the Euola Gay plane that dropped the Atomic bomb over Hiroshima and its up to date history and salvage by the Smithson...more

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Oct 04, 2009 Johnny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, history

There are some fascinating stories in The Greatest Generation, many of which elicited "I didn't know that!" and "I'm glad I didn't have to go through that!" as I read them. At times, I found myself with watery eyes as I perused some particularly emotional account. I'm glad I read the book, really I am. However, the whole collection of mini-biographies left me feeling like I'd just experienced the USA TODAY McPaper version of these biographical accounts. So, if you're wondering why the rating is...more

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May 22, 2010 Jenifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have only so much tolerance for war stuff, but this down-to-earth collection of stories about WWII veterans was homey enough to keep my attention. It was not so much gruesome stories of wartime, but what these remarkable men and women did with their lives after the war. I loved thinking about how they had missed home and civilian life so much that when they got home they were so determined to finish their educations, marry and start their families and get to work; not in that order, but all at...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Ralph rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Those of us who lived have to represent those who didn't make it." ~Joe Foss, World War II hero

The Greatest Generation are undeniably "great". They were witnesses of the Great Depression, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, World War II, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, the collapse of communism, and the rise of the American economy.

Brokaw talks about how ordinary people became heroes home and abroad. He talks about how the War helped to slowly break down race and gender ba...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Bill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great book. We know nothing of sacrifice for the betterment of our families and countrymen. Let me ask "Why didn't this greatest generation do a better job in teaching their values to their children and their children's children?". The many people in this book are nothing short of amazing and have accomplished more than I ever will. I wonder how many of them if given a chance would take a different attitude toward raising the next generation. I pray for the day that each generation will be bette...more

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Apr 07, 2011 Suzy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Suzy by: Meagan

To be honest, this book wore thinner and thinner on me until I almost considered quitting (sorry Meg). I guess I liked it fine at first, but the nothing-but-profiles format became boring and pat. I was really quite surprised to find what a sophomoric writer Tom Brokaw is--is that the difference between broadcast journalists and print-media journalists? Or was he "dumbing down" his writing for mass appeal? The book would have been much better had he made some connections, braved some sociological...more

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Nov 28, 2010 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 52-books-in-2010-challenge, non-fiction, world-war-2-books

Everyone should read this book! I have become obsessed with WW2 fiction for some reason, but I typically read something from the viewpoint of a civilian in a European setting. I loved reading about U.S. citizens and their experiences. Tom Brokaw had me hooked in the first few pages when he mentioned "Americus, GA" in the introduction because that is my hometown! I truly do believe the people born in the teens and twenties will always be the greatest generation. We recently lost my husband's Gran...more Everyone should read this book! I have become obsessed with WW2 fiction for some reason, but I typically read something from the viewpoint of a civilian in a European setting. I loved reading about U.S. citizens and their experiences. Tom Brokaw had me hooked in the first few pages when he mentioned "Americus, GA" in the introduction because that is my hometown! I truly do believe the people born in the teens and twenties will always be the greatest generation. We recently lost my husband's Grandmother at age 91, and she was the most self sufficient lady right until end. She still had her own garden and canned and preserved her own food until the last summer of her life. My own Grandmother still lives at home at age 95, and she tells me about going through the Depression and not buying "a stitch" of clothing for 5 years. The collection of stories in Tom Brokaw's book all inspired me in different ways. It made me examine the irony of the US liberating the people in Europe who were discriminated against under Hitler......while the US still segregated their own soldiers. I was shocked when I read how the German Prisoners of War were treated better at times than the African American soldiers. I enjoyed reading about women during the war....and how they were allowed to work in certain jobs during the war but were demoted/fired when the war ended to make room for the men again. I guess it is hard to realize just how much times have changed since WW2. It really wasn't that long ago! I think the one quote that stood out to me the most was the one by Arthur Schlesinger: "I am a short-term pessimist but a long-term optimist. I think some future crisis will rally the country and bring out new leaders. These are the cycles of history." Now that was just creepy considering this book was written a couple of years before 9/11!

I am so happy I read this book! I won't say it was the kind of book that kept me up all night, but there are stories in this book every American needs to know. If anyone is squeamish about "war stories" - this is the book for you. It provides a wonderful history lesson without such a focus on the gore! (less)

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Jul 26, 2011 John Harder added it

Brokaw pays tribute to the generations that lived through the depression and War Two. This crucible formed a generation of Americans of character and grit. It is fortunate that these people had these traits, because they were undeniably simpletons, after all, they voted for FDR 4 times. It is almost like they wanted the depression to go on forever.

OK, that was mean, after all it wasn’t their fault they were gullible; nutrition wasn’t as good then and no doubt this effected their brain developmen...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: government-politics, history, leadership

After listening to Tom Brokaw retell the story of the candy bomber, Gail Halvorsen, last Christmas during the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert I decided to read his book that pays tribute to the "greatest generation" of Americans - those who came of age at the time of World War II and sacrificed much, building a great country, and setting examples for others to follow.

I'm inspired by the stories and examples that he shares. Each story reinforces the importance of the principles of per...more After listening to Tom Brokaw retell the story of the candy bomber, Gail Halvorsen, last Christmas during the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert I decided to read his book that pays tribute to the "greatest generation" of Americans - those who came of age at the time of World War II and sacrificed much, building a great country, and setting examples for others to follow.

I'm inspired by the stories and examples that he shares. Each story reinforces the importance of the principles of personal responsibility, faith in God, commitment to family, hard work, purpose, unity, sacrifice, selflessness, care for your neighbor, community, frugality, love, humility, discipline, morality, duty, honor, country, giving, volunteering, helping, and freedom.

It's amazing to think about what the war did to change the world and the country. There were new hardships and trials, but also new opportunities. There were new questions of loyalty and equality. People did remarkable things and stood up for right and good in many instances. I think this is an important message for my generation. We must remember the lessons and examples that came before us, not only in gratitude, but seeking to follow that which is good.

Here are a few quotes that I liked from the stories in the book:

"Those of us who live have to represent those who didn't make it (p. 124)."

"I didn't win the medal. I just accepted it for all those who deserved it (p. 178)."

"None of us can ever contribute enough (p. 202)."

"It was the ethos of the time. Get married, have a family, stay married, do something for your community (p. 247)."

When asked what he thought about while drifting in hostile seas, George Bush responded, "Oh, you know--the usual things, duty, honor, country (p. 275)."

John F. Kennedy's inaugural address in 1961: "The torch has been passed, to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace (p. 329)."

Daniel Inouye said, "The one time the nation got together was World War II. We stood as one. We spoke as one. We clenched our fists as one, and that was a rare moment for all of us (p. 356)."(less)

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Jul 27, 2010 MaryHelen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thought this book was well done. Perhaps Brokaw's assertion that those who served in WWII were the greatest generation bears scrutiny; there have certainly been many great generations. However, I have such clear memories of my father and my uncles, their admirable roles during WWII, and how they resumed productive lives following the war. So many men served the country during WWII and then went on to lead good lives, mostly very family- and values-oriented. Most of these proud and patriotic me...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Alexandria Baca rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My generation is often criticized for being lazy, critical, entitled and sometimes, unpatriotic. Sometimes, I think those criticisms are spot on, and other times, I want to tell old folks to put a sock in it already. The running theme of naive young adults who have life so easy is common, predictable even.

"The Greatest Generation" refers to the group of Americans that grew up during the Great Depression, served their country during World War II and raised the "Baby Boomers" of the 1950s and 1960...more My generation is often criticized for being lazy, critical, entitled and sometimes, unpatriotic. Sometimes, I think those criticisms are spot on, and other times, I want to tell old folks to put a sock in it already. The running theme of naive young adults who have life so easy is common, predictable even.

"The Greatest Generation" refers to the group of Americans that grew up during the Great Depression, served their country during World War II and raised the "Baby Boomers" of the 1950s and 1960s. Their early lives were tough, but Brokaw shines a light on their records of service, patriotism and compassion.

He tells the stories of Americans — famous folks, regular Joes, women and minorities — who helped their country during the Second World War and had exemplary experiences. Brokaw profiles mostly soldiers, but also people involved in the war effort back home and in auxiliary positions. These vignettes run from just a couple of pages to a dozen or so, and the stories are organized by chapters including "home front," "women in uniform and out" and "love, marriage, and commitment."

I enjoyed the insight into the lives of a population that experienced so many extraordinary events (and is quickly disappearing), but Brokaw seems to gloss over the parts of that history that aren't so glamorous — and that's frustrating. He briefly mentions the racial, ethnic and sexual discrimination occurring at the same time and includes a chapter labelled "shame" about mistreated (yet courageous) minorities, but the "greatest generation" follows a predictable moral story.

Women are praised in the roles of caretakers and lonely wives, men are encouraged as heroes and divorce is approvingly looked down upon. And every few pages appears a line reading something like this (found on page 159 in my edition): "If there's a common lament of this generation, that is it: where is the old-fashioned patriotism that got them through so much heartache and sacrifice?"

Although times were tough, this generation seemed to do everything right: They bonded together, acted morally and thought of the greater good but the story seems too glorious. And as a younger reader, I find the theme unsatisfying. Times weren't perfect and not everybody was a hero. I would've liked to have heard some different perspectives to get a fuller picture of this generation.

Brokaw is diplomatic but never critical, and he sticks to a singularly focused portrait. Several of the folks interviewed (and his list is numerous) wonder if the country could ever bond together in the face of another war or tragedy, posing an interesting question for a post-9/11 read. With two wars post-publication, has the country further united or split? I would love to hear updated reaction from the interviewees in another edition.
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Dec 20, 2011 Andrew Frueh rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history

I was sadly disappointed in this book, I expected much more. I've found the work by Steven Ambrose and Ken Burns on the WWII generation fascinating and inspiring, but Greatest Generation comes up short. Brokaw's writing was stiff and lifeless, often reading like a high-school student's book report. The book seems to focus on quantity over quality. The short vignettes on each individual never really give the reader much time to appreciate the person or their story. And Brokaw seems to finish each...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Great stories, remind me of my grandparents and the stories they tell about this time in their lives. I think we can learn a lot from this generation, and I am truly grateful for the opportunities I have because of these folks.

I was troubled, though, by the unexamined implications of statements like "I'm dismayed by how women today focus on their careers." (Both of my grandmothers worked full-time to support their families -- heresy according to this book.) Also wish there was some examination...more

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Jun 23, 2009 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: katies-favorites

This book is great! It's the first thing to give me true perspective into the war. I always looked at it as glamourous, ignoring the horrors and thinking they were the minority. I now see just how tragic war is, and how it can destroy the lives of all who were involved. Both the living and the dead. I also got insight into both the culture during the time of WWII and the culture in our day.- I think I like it better back then.- To anyone who might be intrigued in reading this though please be aw...more

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Jul 27, 2009 Brad rated it 2 of 5 stars

In our generation, we can only grasp the idea what our grandparent's generation went through growing up through the age of the first world war, the depression, the dust bowl and the rise of Fascism in Europe and Japan, and the growth of a nation into a super power. Yet at the same time, each generation struggles like none other before. Famine on mass levels, mass genocides, corruption within the "systems" that we have to abide in order to even take a deep breath. My only problem is that we canno...more

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About Tom Brokaw

Thomas John Brokaw is an American television journalist and author, previously working on regularly scheduled news documentaries for the NBC television network, and is the former NBC News anchorman and managing editor of the program NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw. His last broadcast as anchorman was on December 1, 2004, succeeded by Brian Williams in a carefully planned transition. In the later...more

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An Album of Memories: Personal Histories from the Greatest Generation

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Quotes from The Greatest Generation

“There has never been a military operation remotely approaching the scale and the complexity of D-Day. It involved 176,000 troops, more than 12,000 airplanes, almost 10,000 ships, boats, landing craft, frigates, sloops, and other special combat vessels--all involved in a surprise attack on the heavily fortified north coast of France, to secure a beachhead in the heart of enemy-held territory so that the march to Germany and victory could begin. It was daring, risky, confusing, bloody, and ultimately glorious [p.25]” — 4 people liked it

“A common lament of the World War II generation is the absence today of personal responsibility ” — 4 people liked it

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