Our Finest Hour: The Triumphant Spirit of America's World War II Generation

by LIFE

Provides personal narratives with accompanying photographs of men and women who had first-hand experience of the war effort either overseas or on the homefront.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Life was an American magazine published weekly from 1883 to 1972, as an intermittent "special" until 1978, and as a monthly from 1978 until 2000. During its golden age from 1936 to 1972, Life was a wide-ranging weekly general interest magazine known for the quality of its photography.

Reviews

[Confuzzled Shannon]

Looking through one of these book with the great many pictures I sometimes hope to see my Grandfather who served in WWII in Italy. Or since I do research for the family tree I look for simple books that delve into the War that gives me some info on what he went through since he is no longer here so I can not ask.

The quotes were interesting and pictures are a statement in time but I wanted more out of it then it had. So while it is a good coffee table book that will stand the test of time but does not tell all of the story.

[Virginia Burnham]

Awesome book. A must read for everyone!!!

[Pius Munz]

Interesting little stories about the war. Some are very heartwarming, and some are sad.

[Susan]

This is a great book! It's a coffee table book that you can pick up and read in just a few minutes. Mostly pictures with excerpts from Life magazine editions that were printed during WWII. I read it slowly, absorbing the pictures of our service men and women from those years, trying to imagine what it was like and at the same time saying prayers of thanksgiving that I didn't experience it firsthand. Also saying prayers of thanksgiving that my Dad came home safely from that war, even though he was wounded. Like most men I have met that served then, my Dad never talked a lot about what he experienced. As a nurse I have cared for a lot of veterans from WWII, including some from the battle of Iwa Jima. They didn't see themselves as heroes and seem very reluctant to relate their experiences or bring attention to themselves. I did cry while reading this book, so many lives were lost and nearly every life on earth altered during those years. This book helps us look into the past and reminds us that our freedom is very, very precious and should never be taken for granted.

[Dick]

Great pictorial review of WWII and the Greatest Generation

[Diane]

Beautiful photographs!

I wonderful compilations for those who want to learn more about WWII and the men and women who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today.

[Jessica]

really cool photos

[Cws]

940.54 Life