The Greatest Generation

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable book -- helped give background on a generation
Review: I enjoyed reading this book -- it tells about a generation of people who I knew little about, in a way that made it interesting -- told stories of individuals from all walks of life (public figures to everyday working class contributors, who are much like most of us and our families). Tells how they were impacted by the way, and how the war helped to frame their thought processes and value structures. I wish I had read the book years before (had it been written at that time). Would have helped me to understand my grandparents/parents even better.

Rating:
Summary: Very Nice
Review: I was deeply moved by the stories in this book. These people are like those I grew up with: my teachers, the policemen, the farmers, my pastor. What they experienced was left unspoken, what they sacrificed was known only to them. This book records some of their stories and reveals the heart of our country's soul in the process. They are not to be forgotten.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Every American should read this book, it tells what duty, loyalty, love, honor, service and country are all about. Men and women died & suffered to give Americans what they have today, its time to salute the flag again, not burn it. Be thankful for what we have and PROTECT IT, without young men & women & their courage that this book depicts, it could all be so easily lost.

Rating:
Summary: Greatest Generation and Family Sacrifices
Review: I found this book to be of immense value as a baby boomer in understanding my parents generation, the sacrifices that were made and the resulting ethics and values that emerged from this world shaking event. As a result of reading it and thinking back to my youth and talking to aunts and uncles (who were all in uniform during the war), a couple of them did not come back from foreign fields of battle. Some became isolationists in outlook and others became confirmed internationalists. One gets a much better appreciation and understanding of the American dream and what the human cost can be when a meglomaniac is allowed to run rampant on the world. Yes, the cost to humanity was immeasurable and unspeakable, however, the ending of the conflict brought about a profound change in political and social systems around the world. Have we done better since V-E and V-J Day's? I would like to think so, having traveled extensively around the world in U.S. military uniform and have seen first hand the impact of America, for better or worse on the world community.

Rating:
Summary: America's Youth have Gone Soft
Review: What were you doing when you were 17? Ask that question today and some might tell you ... 'Participating in aschool clubs' or 'Hanging out' ... a whole geneeration was fighting for our freedom ..Thank you .. Your sacrifices were great and we appreciate it.

Rating:
Summary: Presumably not the Greatest Generation of Parents
Review: It's very ironic that the supposed greatest generation were not able to instill their sterling qualities in their own children - the much maligned baby boomers. This failure seems to expose a serious deficiency of parenting and mentoring skills.

Rating:
Summary: Rare Book
Review: I am only 17, but my Grandfather fought in WWII. A book like this is very rare. As I have learned it's very hard for veterans to talk about their experiences. And, yes, this generation is slipping away from us and to have thier experiences written down for other, future generations to read is wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: You Are There
Review: A great book about how much America has changed in a mere 60 years and what we have learned and lost. This is fascinating reading which touches the heart. Better reading than all of those history textbooks we were forced to read in high school.

Rating:
Summary: A legacy to our children
Review: I bought this book for my children. I am so thankful that someone told this story. This Greatest Generation is slowly slipping away. I am a baby boomer and my father [their grandfather] was an Italian immigrant. He was very aware of the freedom he enjoyed in this country and was willing to fight against the tyrrany of a very sick dictator! Their other grandfather fought at Pearl Harbor. Their future wives worked hard here at home for the war effort. Both men thankfully survived to go on and help rebuild this country where their families could grow up safely and with more opportunities than they knew. These dear family members have now passed on. I wanted my children to understand what their grandparents endured and to be very proud of the unselfishness of that Greatest Generation. They didn't have state-of-the-art everything, but they had loyalty, integrity, determination and grit that far overshadowed any doubts or fears. Their example of selflessness was an honorable trait. We should all strive to emulate their noble character.

Rating:
Summary: Every student should read this
Review: This book is a must read for the generations that followed. The stories show us that we are responsable for our own action and no one else. Here was a generation that came from nothing, fought a horrible war and came home to make our country what it is today. They really were the Greatest Generation. I feel that this book is so inspiring that it should be on every students reading list.