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Summary: Why could they not pass it on?
Review: The reviews on this book would indicate that everyone seems suprised at the accomplishments of that generation, and that somehow the author has discovered something no one else knew. The track record has been out there for 50 years!!Can you imagine my generation of babyboomers making the same sacrifice? Even the standing in line for a loaf of bread? No you cannot and the questiom is why not? The fundamental answer to that is that the " Greatest Generation" did not have the courage to pass their legacy on to their children. They denied us nothing and as a result you have the America you have today. The short term years ahead are going to see the greatest transfer of wealth from one generation to another in recorded history, and the baby boomers truly believe they deserve it.The greatest genration were far from rich, however, they were a lot happier and content then we will ever be. Our children will be even less so!
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Summary: Very disappointed! Tom was in a hurry.
Review: I expected more depth and insight into the major themes that drove this generation supported by the individual interviews. I found the book boring and tiring. I would not recommend it to anyone.
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Summary: Relates hardships of The Great Depression and those of WWII.
Review: Growing up in the 1960's, I was aware of the relatively short chronological separation from the war. This book puts into perspective the distinct character and moral values of an entire generation faced with an unbelievably daunting task. Their attitudes, and their desire to resume their lives without looking back, explains in part the next generation's inability to share their parents' experiences and to learn from them. This may explain why WWII always seemed longer ago than it actually was. As the child of a 'Depression Baby' I was reminded often of the need for thrift, the need for a secure job, and the need to plan for a 'rainy day'. While these guideposts are certainly valued, they can seem trite if one has never know real need and deprivation. This book allows us to share the experience and emotion of the WWII generation in a way that has not been possible before. It is perhaps especially effective in its message as baby-boomers assess their own lives at middle-age. One cannot help but wonder how we would measure up under the same challenges. Would we fare as well without having first endured the Depression? Even if the need was clear, would we sacrifice for the common good? Reading this book allows anyone knowing a person from that generation, particularly a combat veteran, to have a greater understanding of that person's outlook on life. It allows us to understand these people in a new way, no matter how well we already believed that we knew them. Thank you Mr. Brokaw.
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Summary: The Greatest Generational Gap
Review: Perhaps the quintessential shortcoming of any generation is the inability to comprehend the one that came before them. The WWII generation, born in the "roaring twenties" and seasoned by the great depression, left the farm where they plowed the north 40 with a mule and harness and came home to an atomic age. Their children had no comprehension of the vast difference between the the way the world was before 1940 and what it had become by 1945. Whether or not they were the "Greatest Generation" will be determined only by the perspective of future generations; but they were certainly a "great generation" and Brokaw's book goes a long way in helping my generation understand our parents. There are better historical analyses of the WW II era than this but none convey the depth of feeling and motivation available here. Thanks Tom & Thanks Mom & Dad!
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Summary: Amazingly well done.
Review: I just finished reading "The Greatest Generation" and I will honestly say that it is the best book I have ever read.
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Summary: Brokaw lectures the younger generation.
Review: The recent attention given to the men and women who came of age during World War II is long overdue. To paraphrase Churchill, never have so many owed so much to so few. But as a member of the current generation, I flinched at the jabs that members of our "greatest generation" and Mr. Brokaw inflicted on my "class." That is not to say I don't understand their frustrations with us and the country they now find themselves in. But too often, Brokaw slipped into lecture about the good old days. Every generation is different and shaped by the events around it. His greatest generation emerged from below deck of the USS America to be shoved overboard into the turbulent seas of depression and war. They had no choice or time to prepare. To their credit, they not only survived, but thrived. As my generation emerges from below deck, we aren't being pushed overboard. Rather, we've discovered that no one is sailing the ship. There's no compass or map, and no one to show us what to do. We're learning to sail ouselves. We're learning how to avoid the pratfalls that even the "greatest generation" encountered in Vietnam and Watergate. We're discovering that the United States hasn't always been the "good guy." We're learning to think for ourselves We're trying to do the right thing, for ouselves, for our families and for our country.
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Summary: I wanted more
Review: As a boomer and an "estranged from his parent's 60's rebel" this audiobook helped me to get in touch with feelings for my parents that were long missing. Mr. Brokaw talks about MY parents in this audio and I guarantee he speaks about YOUR parents too. After listening it's hard not to agree with his conclusions. Will any generation have the guts and selflessness ever again that this one had?
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Summary: Treacle, historical pablum designed only not to offend.
Review: They may very well be the "Greatest Generation," but this well meaning book fails to give much insight into why. The book consists of a series of thumbnail sketches of individuals who served or lived through the period of the Second World War. Each story goes like this: The person male or female grew up on a farm or in the city and suffered poverty in the Depression, but they did not think of themselves as poor because they had family. Then the war broke out and they enlisted, went to work in the factory, hospital, laundry. They were happy to get the work, because the hadn't had much work during the Depression, and if they fought and killed and were heroes who got medals they were and are just "awshucks" about it now. They got out of the Army, Navy, Aircorp, factory, married their highschool sweetheart, went to school on the GI bill, worked real hard, had a couple of kids, instilled values in the kids (even if the kids ended up smoking pot and protesting the war in Vietnam), and now they're pretty old and underappreciated until now. Now their grandkids saw "Private Ryan" and say gee Grandpa you're really a hero, and you too Grandma for writing him all those nice letters and not running off with Jody during the war. Grandma and Grandpa didn't get a divorce, they're still together and still the nice fella/gal they married, and doing community service 'cause that's the way they were brought up. That generation did save the world from the most vicious dictators the world has seen. They were heroes and they deserve recognition, but this book falls far short of presenting any real insight or thoughtfulness. Read D-Day, Citizen Soldier, The Great Escape, Before Their Time or fiction The Naked & the Dead, anything about WWII by James Jones (Here to Eternity, Thin Red Line). There's plenty of good stuff, this just isn't it. I was disappointed.
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Summary: Great Material - USA Today writing style minimizes impact.
Review: Good material about "Great" people. However, reading this book is like enduring a detailed description of a 1/16 inch layer of ice covering a pond that is teeming with life. We see nothing below the surface or its impact on its surroundings. Perhaps this is what I should have expected from a person who makes his living from 30 second sound bites. I do agree that it was a "great generation" I am the same age as Mr. Brokaw, a veteran of the 1960's US Army and have logged over 2 million air miles in business travel around the world. Many of the young men and women with whom I have served, worked and communicated measure up remarkably well to the standards set by the WW11 generation. Mr Brokaw insinuates that they do not - I suggest he step back from his circle of associates in the media and visit the "real" people in Americas cities, small towns and rural areas. The majority still believe in the values of honesty, integrity, hard work and sacrifice for the common good. As much as our media and political leaders have tried to convince us that these are not important - they will fail. The "GREATEST GENERATION" will be the one following the "BOOMERS" and they will rise to the crisis of re-establishing values and morals in our leaders and media.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book, makes for great reading
Review: Truely superb reading. We all can take a lesson from these people who gave up so much and helped changed the course of history for the United States and the world. Without a doubt there is some of our population who will not agree with what Tom Brokaw is saying in this book about the "greatest generation" but I doubt they would agree on anything but themselves. This book is about people who had "honor,courage and commitment" to their country and fellow man.
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