The Greatest Generation

Rating:
Summary: The Ordinary Generation
Review: I have always found it insulting when the "WWII generation" is referred to as the "greatest generation" when in fact thay were nothing more than ordinary men and women that went through difficult times and rose to the occasion. That's it. How are they any different than the countless Americans who have done exactly the same thing throughout American history?

Anyone who thinks that any other American generation wouldn't have or couldn't have risen to the same challenges is too stupid to understand the real meaning of the American Spirit. Brokaw is just one of these stupid morons who couldn't possibly begin to understand this truth about Americans.

For those of you that lived through those times, good for you, you did a fine job for yourselves. You basically ran the economy into the ground, you spread socialism throughout the economy and gave govt. control over our lives, then you handed the Soviets eastern Europe and handed China over to the communists, and locked up innocent Americans into concentration camps just because they were Japanese-Americans or Italian-Americans. You must be very proud of yourselves.

You elected Roosevelt to four terms even though the guy flooded the govt. with communists, wrecked the economy with socialistic programs, and kept information about the impending attack on Pearl Harbor away from the commanders at Pearl Harbor thus leading to the unnecessary deaths of thousands of American soldiers and sailors. Then, Roosevelt orders the incarceration of thousands of Americans simply because of their ancestry!! This is an outrage for which Roosevelt and his fans have never apologized. ...

But it doesn't end there. Now, you are the same people who have strangled social security and have squeezed every cent out of it refusing to allow a restructuring of it so that it can be saved for future generations. Quite a legacy you leave behind.

Yeah, quite a generation. Because of you and your "great generation" we have to deal with 50 years of a Cold War debt and greater govt. control of our lives. Thanks, but no thanks.

You want to see great Americans? Take a look at our Founding Fathers who gave everything they had to establish this nation. Or, take a look at the Fireman who went into the World Trade Towers knowing is was a suicide mission. Being an American is not about a generation but rather it's an ideal, a spirit, a dream, and a way of life. Any American who possesses those virtues is part of the "Greatest Generation." And those virtues are not relegated to some short time period in American history. They are timeless.

This is what Brokaw and others of this myth fail to understand.

Rating:
Summary: Mason High School: Best Seller - Cong Wang
Review: Not many books will change my perspective of the society. When I first pick up The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, I was skeptical. However, I am proven wrong. I would definitely recommend this book to almost anyone (from age 0-99+) because of two reasons; one reason is one will learn a lot more about World War II from a perspective other than the textbook, and secondly is because one will have a lot more respect for the elder generation after reading this book. Tom Brokaw did a great job of keeping his readers' interest. But be warned, there is a few section in the book where the reading does seem very long. Overall I believe this book is well worth the time and effort.
As I mentioned above, The Greatest Generation change my view on the war in two ways. Prior to reading this book, I look at all the soldiers from World War II as a whole instead of individuals. This book made me realized that every one of the soldiers have their own unique stories and personalities. After reading these stories, I feel like I know them more personally. I was deeply touched by the accomplishments of Daniel Inouye and the 442nd regimental Combat Team. I was deeply saddened by the treatment of others to minorities such as Colonel Mary Hallaren, Martha Settle Putney, and Nao Takasugi. I was again proud when Martha, Daniel, and Mary Hallaren prove their society wrong by conquering numerous obstacles while combating discrimination. By knowing their stories make me respect these people much more than I originally do. No longer with their moments pass because of time, their legacies, as Brokaw puts it, will "live in our heart forever." These stories certainly are not something that I would find in a textbook.
Despite its size, The Greatest Generation was a very fast read because it is fill with wonderful pictures and a smooth writing style. Tom Brokaw grabbed my attention during the first few stories because the stories are fresh and straightforward. I especially enjoy the surprises, and the strong human spirit in Charles O. Van Gorder's story with the human POW and Wesley Ko's story of determination to pay off his huge debt, these spirits are something that I no longer sense exist in today's society. However, The Greatest Generation does have its flaws. After reading so many chapters, I felt Brokaw follow the same format in ever story over and over again, making his writing style very tedious after a while. The chapter, Love Marriage and Commitment, was especially painful for me because I did not care a lot for the lovers, but it was still interesting. The last few stories was slow, however in the last section, The Arena, Brokaw picked up his pace again and weave together and present to me different sides of the politicians I knew, Bob Dole and Mark Hatfields. The Greatest Generation overall left a very good impression on me.
The Greatest Generation is not the typical book I would read on my leisure since I am not a fan of non-fiction novels. I do not regret not reading it because it is very interesting. However, The Greatest Generation did leave a sour taste in my mouth because I wanted to know more about the characters and some of the stories are too short. Overall, I believe the The Greatest Generation is a book every student who is studying American History or American Government should read because it will help one understand the situation more. Reading this book is the closest one can get living in during World War II. I will give it an A-.

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars for the stories, 3 stars for the writing
Review: I read this book shortly before the first anniversary of 9/11. I was truly inspired by the stories of how ordinary people rose to the occassion at a time of great need for our country and our world and prayed that our current generation would have the courage and fortitude to do the same. However, the writing style of Brokaw left much to be desired. His passages too often read like the overly earnest writings of a young English Lit major. However whenever the book returns to the actual words and recollections of the veterans, my spirits soared. Definitely worth reading for the example this generation put forth for all of us to follow.

Rating:
Summary: A Story Already Told
Review: I had heard good things about this book, but was disappointed. This story had already been told in this format, and been told better, by Studs Terkel in his book The Good War. Terkel interviewed more persons, let them tell their own story, and interviewed persons who had been successful as well as those that had not. Brokaw focuses only on those that had gone on to become successful, while Terkel includes those from all walks of life. If you are interested in reading a history in this format, I would recommend The Good War over The Greatest Generation.

Rating:
Summary: Good, Easy Read
Review: What I Liked best about this book is how it is all personal accounts. The book is not just about the people who were doing the fighting, but also about the Woman on the homefront who built our bombers, Fighters, Tanks and more. About one of the men who was a designer of the b-29.

He also talks about some of the people who fought in the war to later become famous. People like George McGovern, a B-24 pilot in the 15th who later became a polition. George Bush who flew an evenger over the pacific, and how he was shot down and survived over the pacific. Andy Rooney, who became a popular journalist after the war. There are many more. If anyone is intrested in learning, almost by a storytelling aspect, than this book is for you.

Some might compare the way he writes to Ambrose because of the interviews. This book is a lightyear away in the way he writes it. Ambrose books follow one battle. This follows just one person in a chapter through some of the important parts of their wartime expierience. ( each chapter is about 2-3 pages long.) So i would suggest this book to anyone intrested in World War Two, it is a great testament to all the people who were involved in the winning of World War Two.

Rating:
Summary: Reviews from America¿s Worst Generation
Review: It's funny reading the sour grapes reviews written by what I am sure is America's worst generation yet. Ironically the worst generation blames Brokaw for seeing through rose colored glasses while they (the worst) see through diarrhea covered glasses of their own. I guess that's not surprising from a group that has no degree of introspection. Take some of the following - "the WWII generation was the generation of segregation and racism." In fact the WWII generation was the generation that rose above racism. The civil rights bill (passed in 1964) was a reflection of the time that most Americans wanted institutional racism and segregation to end. This generation has stained its memory by changing civil rights into a gentler kinder racism that makes excuses for minorities when they fail, and expects less from minorities then they do from themselves. It's white supremacy without the hate.

Certainly some of the complaints about Eastern Europe and deficit spending have validity. However, I see little improvement from this generation. Plenty of my contemporaries see the huge burden of taxes necessary to continue this safety net with growing holes. It's not like there are too many people saying - we will shift for ourselves and the government should go back to its more limited roles.

There are reviewers who blame the WWII generation for being isolationist and leaving Eastern Europe in the lurch after the war. Meanwhile some generation X-ers and baby boomers today blame the US for recent terrorist attacks (in true spirit of blaming the victim). "We arrogantly impose ourselves and our ways on others" - they say. O.K. but joining WWII earlier or pushing the Russians out of Eastern Europe certainly would have been imposing. Seems your damned if you do and damned if you don't.

The Greatest Generation is a title conveying reverence and humility for an older generation who gave us relatively comfortable and secure lives. Not surprising the worst generation seems to miss this - they have no humility.

Rating:
Summary: A time for appreciation
Review: I was born in 1957, only 12 years after WW2 ended. My father and all three of his brothers fought in the war. And fortunately, all four of them made it home alive. My father-in-law also fought as a front-line machine gunner in Europe.

My father never wanted to talk about the war. Although he was an officer on Gen. George Patton's staff, he was mum on what he experienced. I realize now what he experienced was too painful. With that, I am grateful for the stories in this book. I think anyone born after WW2 should read this book simply to appreciate what the American people and troops had to go through. My heart goes out to those parents who lost their sons and the girlfriends who lost their loves. So many lives were profoundly changed.

This book should be manditory reading for high school students in any American History class. And they should also show Steven Spielberg's movie, "Saving Private Ryan" to make young people appreciate the freedoms that were fought for in Europe and the Pacific. If Nazi's and Japanese Empire had defeated the Allies, I guarantee you this would have been a different world. Had we lost there's a very good chance many of us walking the Earth would not be here right now.

Bravo to you Tom Brokaw! Thank you for sharing so much of your hard work in the research of this book.

Rating:
Summary: Simple People in Tough Times
Review: Let me begin by saying I teach history and I have always enjoyed oral histories. They fascinate me. My favorite part of history is World War 2. But all I have read before is the military history not the social history.
Well this book really delivers in that Tom Brokaw way of reporting. He covers all types of people of that generation and the stories they have to tell are pretty amazing.
These were simple people that expected nothing. They had to grow up in a hurry and handle responsibilities beyond their years.
One theme in the book is if the next Generation can handle the challenge. Specifically the Generation X people. It is ironic that now this generation is dealing with its own Pearl Harbor and now its own war.
I recommned highly everyone to read this book to have an understanding of the older generation of this country. We owe these people a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you Mr. Brokaw
Review: As a recent college graduate and a card carrying Gen-Xer, it is hard for me to grasp what went on in America before I was born. As long as I have been alive, America has seen the proliferation of the personal computer, the greatest economic boom in history, and the omnipresence of media. Things have been good to America over the past 25 years. There is no way I could have imagined the sacrifices of "The Greatest Generation" had I never read the book of the same title by Tom Brokaw.

As a graduate of Florida State University, I am very grateful for Mr. Brokow's generous donation of some of his materials to our WWII museum. Before reading Mr. Brokaw's book, I took for granted all that I had been given in life. I never had to face the possibility of the draft, endure the separation from loved ones, and risk my life to defend the honor of my country. With Mr. Brokaw's interviews of the soldiers and their families contained in "The Greatest Generation," I can have a greater appreciation for my life.

Brokaw's meticulous research is apparent in his narrating of the stories of the people contained in the book. All of the members of "The Greatest Generation" are true testaments to strength and courage and are the reason for the great prosperity our country has seen over the past 25 years. Read this book and learn from the character traits of these heroes, apply them to your own life and our country will be exponentially better 25 years from now.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Real Life Book
Review: I have spent a lot of time over the past years reading about different aspects of World War Two, from the different battles to the equipment used, but this was the first time that I had a full book of individual stories about the average GI and the story he had to tell. There are many reviews here that detail the book; I just wanted to add that at first I thought this would be a dull book. Sure I had heard all the buzz about the book, but I thought that was more to do with the author then the actual book. I even had doubts that a newsreader could become an author. I am happy to report that I was wrong, first off Brokaw did not try to muddle around with the stories to get any glory for his writing style, he just told them like they were told to him. I think this is the reason the book is so powerful, it is like you are sitting at your Grandparents home and they are telling you stories. The stories are wonderful (as much as you can say that about war stories) and they really convey not just the battle, but all the emotion (good and bad) that the GI felt. This is a great book and a must for any WW 2 collection.