The Greatest Generation (1998)

I think I’ll pass on reading this book.

The Greatest Generation is a term used to describe those Americans who grew up during the Great Depression and fought in World War II, or whose labor helped win it. The term "the Greatest Generation" is thought to have been coined by former NBC Nightly News anchor and author Tom Brokaw in his book by the same name. The Greatest Generation, also known as the G.I. Generation and the World War II generation, is the demographic cohort following the Lost Generation and preceding the Silent Generation. The cohort is defined as individuals generally born between 1901 and 1927.

Great stories, remind me of my grandparents and the stories they tell about this time in their lives. I think we can learn a lot from this generation, and I am truly grateful for the opportunities I have because of these folks.

I was troubled, though, by the unexamined implications of statements like "I'm dismayed by how women today focus on their careers." (Both of my grandmothers worked full-time to support their families -- heresy according to this book.) Also wish there was some examination of the ramifications of the choices of this generation - suburban lifestyle, dependance on cars, increased consumption, etc. Those things all have serious implications for our generation. Not a critique of the folks profiled here, but a comment that all of these issues are more complex than are reflected in this book. ( )

My father, who was a member of the "greatest generation" loved this book, so I felt I owed it to him to read it. It is a fine book well written and conceived. Somewhat ordinary people are profiled. They are removed from ordinary lives and put in harm's way and respond with simplicity, courage and fellow-feeling. It is a good lesson about our parents and true patriotism.

This is one of those books I wish I had read earlier, especially since it's almost twenty years old. My dad, being in the generation this book is about, would have loved it too. I see now why they didn't want to talk about the war and then they did when it was fifty years or so in the past. I'm sure most of the people featured have now died. ( )