Rating: 
Summary: Is this man running for office?
Review: Rarely have I been so put-off by a book. I take nothing away from the experience and hardhships of the generation of Americans who suffered the depression and WWII. That surely is a 5-Star story and my parents lived it. But this book is not that story. Instead I find cliche's and stereotypes. For sure, the last 50 years of American history has been one of accomplishment and success. But it is easy to forget that this was largely because the rest of the industrial world was in rubble after the War, and America had a special opportunity to excel and grow. - - I feel alarm bells when any group of people are described as special or superior. This type of thinking has resulted in too much suffering in our world. I suspect the reality is that Brokaw is laying the groundwork for a political career. Is 'The Greatest Generation' the modern 'Profiles in Courage?.'
Rating: 
Summary: Revealing...
Review: A revealing book...It's a haunting tale of lives of the young back in a time of war, where 17 year olds went to fight in a global war and the aftermath and traumatic effects from that world war. You never really realize what war can do to someone. You never see the impact it's made on a generation of young men and women who had to grow up fast and rallied together. It's because of these brave soldiers defending an idea and people from the sickening visions of a mad world. It is because of them, we live in free world. When you think about, really think about it, I get chill that races down my spine. Could I have gone through with it? I don't know. It's pretty incredible that that generation was able to stand and say yes to something they really didn't understand. So many stories of ordinary people who became extraordinary through their courage and love and sacrifices. From the first women to break the homemaker mold-women who were in the factories helping the war cause, minorities suffering countless abuse to vigorously fight for their country, infantrymen who went on to become some of the most exceptional leaders in the world, small-town kids who became corporate moguls. From the confessions of George Bush and Julia Child to the astonishing heroism and moving love stories of everyday people, The Greatest Generation proudly honors those whose sacrifices changed the course of American history. After reading this novel, I can't see the veterans or WWII as the same; I see all the different angles. His is a style of an experienced orator putting his words with pen on paper. As I was reading the selected stories about WWII and the courage that was displayed, it gives me shivers down my back to be reading the lives of soldiers who defended not only America but sanctity of freedom everywhere for everyone. It's touching, it's moving, it's a great read. Although it is a good book and I loved reading it, it's bit one-sided and needed to be expanded on a little more. It left me wondering the point of the stories as a whole to the big picture of the book, if that makes sense. In all, it was something different and I got caught up in it at the right time. Even if you don't care for history or only have a mild interest, give this book a chance. Let it speak to you.
Rating:
Summary: BROKAW DROPS A BOMB
Review: Colorless, poorly written collection of interviews with WWII vets held together by shaky thesis. The title refers of course to the Americans who fought WWII and prospered in post-war America. While taking nothing away from accomplishments, why are they the "greatest generation?" No generation of Americans has ever failed to answer the call to arms and perform in less than spectacular fashion. Are the Americans who fought the Germans and Japanese somehow superior to those who fought in WWI or Vietnam, or the Civil War? Did it take more courage to parachute into France than Vietnam? Let's not forget that the WWII generation also returned home at a time of unprecedented growth and oppurtunity. Not so for vets of other wars, especially vets of WWI and Vietnam. I suggest that anyone interested in books of this type try "Citizen Soldiers," or "D-day," by Stephen Ambrose, or any one of the scores of far superior books offering accounts of WWII vets.
Rating:
Summary: Now we know why he is a newscaster
Review: Brokaw delivers a lightweight, sketchy, collection of interviews with World War Two vets, which unfortunately has made him a lot of money and spawned equally mediocre sequels. There are an infinite number of far superior books covering the same ground.
Rating: 
Summary: Read a collection of personal letters or essays instead
Review: There is no doubting Tom Brokaw's sincerity and deep feelings of respect for the WWII generation. It comes through with comments such as the following: > "It is a generation of towering achievement and modest demeanor, a legacy of their formative years when they were participants in and witness to sacrifices of the highest order." > "It is a generation that, by and large, made no demands of homage from those who followed and prospered economically, politically, and culturally because of its sacrifices." > "There is a common theme of pride in all that they've accomplished for themselves, their families and their country, and so little clamor for attention, given all they've done." Agreed, endorsed, and fully appreciated by many of us. I'm no different with a father who ferried paratroops to Normandy in his C-47 "vomit comet" and made cargo hauls to Belgium after that, and a mother who worked in a naval ordinance factory in Glasgow, Scotland. Respect and admiration however is insufficient to get us through 50 fairly repetitive stories. I agree with Mr Brokaw when he says they were proud but "they rarely discussed their experiences, even with each other"; give him credit for getting so many stories out. The reality remains though that the war stories and experiences of our parent's generation may be of great interest to family, but as general readers, we will learn more and are better served by reading a collection of war letters or essays by good historians.
Rating:
Summary: Honor the WWII Generation --- by reading something else
Review: I've read this book and the first sequel, and was extremely disappointed with both. Brokaw is a poor writer, and a lousy editor. Although there are undoubtedly great stories to be told here, Brokaw manages to reduce the life stories of the greatest generation to tedium. It just isn't worth wading through the muck for the occasional nugget of good story. As a gift for someone of the WWII generation, this book might make sense. Otherwise, a person's time would be better spent by reading a WWII book from someone else. Or perhaps by watching "Saving Private Ryan" again. Skip this loser, and the loser sequel. There are better choices out there.
Rating:
Summary: True heroism.
Review: This book has so much to offer. For the younger generation, it offers us a glimpse of something we've been told about, but can't truly grasp. World War II brought out the best in our nation. We came together under a common cause and were more united than ever. The young men and women of that generation, my age now and younger, were The Greatest Generation without a doubt. These amazing people have shared their stories with Mr. Brokaw, and it is just incredible to learn about the personal contributions that people made for the sake of our country. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a greater appreciation for the sacrifices of previous generations. This book will move you, and you will wholeheartedly have a new appreciation for these people.
Rating:
Summary: not bad, a bit repetitive
Review: Enjoyed this book, although the stories all have a familiar ring and lose their punch a bit. Compelling, overall. For a different perspective, I recommend Jack Nadel's book "My Enemy, My Friend."
Rating: 
Summary: MORE PROPAGANDA
Review: ...from a media master. It should surprise no one that Brokaw venerates the generation that came of age during WWII. Holywood and all the good guys have been beating this drum for decades, now. As has been said by another reviewer, Mr. Brokaw interjects too much of himself in his stealth attack on every other American generation. The reader should remember that the WWII generation gave us Korea, Viet Nam, and made a haven for international communism by building up the Soviet Union and turning over to them all of Eastern Europe. Brokaw's "Greatest Generation" also ushered in the decline of American liberties for the present peculiar brand of socialism that today is the law of the land "across the fruited plain." Having returned conquering heroes, Brokaw's fondly remembered generation would later turn their backs on another generation of veterans whose GI Bill was only a dim shadow of the GI Bill made available to those who served during WWII. Brokaw's good guys would even deny Viet Nam veterans membership access to the VFW until 1973,after more than 40,000 had died in Viet Nam. America's Greatest Generation? You left a few things out, Tom. But, hey, isn't that what American journalism is all about? Oscar Wilde, a man I don't care to quote often, once said, "Art with a purpose is propaganda..." Yes, Oscar, it certainly is.
Rating: 
Summary: A powerful tribute
Review: I am shocked that anyone could find this book "tedious and condescending." I must vehemently disagree with the reviewer who states that The Greatest Generation "minimizes every other generation of people." It does no such thing; it is a moving tribute to a generation that deserves such a tribute. If it weren't for the struggles and heroism of that generation, we might not be here today. The reviewer I refer to writes, "if Mr. Brokaw and others think that my generation hasn't faced death, despair, fear, illness and poverty, he and they are not truly connected to the world in which they live now." To this reviewer, I must say that the current generations of Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers do NOT face such struggle on the same massive level as those who lived (or died) during the Depression and the World Wars. Today's "myriad of stresses that cloud everyday life" cannot be compared to the stresses endured by what Brokaw rightly calls the "Great Generation."
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