The Greatest Generation#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The instant classic that changed the way we saw World War II and an entire generation of Americans, from iconic and beloved journalist Tom Brokaw. “Moving . . . a tribute to the members of the World War II generation to whom we Americans and the world owe so much.”—The New York Times Book Review In this magnificent testament to a nation and her people, Tom Brokaw brings to life the extraordinary stories of a generation that gave new meaning to courage, sacrifice, and honor. From military heroes to community leaders to ordinary citizens, he profiles men and women who served their country with valor, then came home and transformed it: Senator Daniel Inouye, decorated at the front, fighting prejudice at home; Martha Settle Putney, one of the first black women to serve in the newly formed Women’s Army Corps; Charles Van Gorder, a doctor who set up a MASH-like medical facility in the middle of battle, then opened a small clinic in his hometown; Navy pilot and future president George H. W. Bush, assigned to read the mail of the enlisted men under him, who says that in doing so he “learned about life”; and many other laudable Americans. To this generation that gave so much and asked so little, Brokaw offers eloquent tribute in true stories of everyday heroes in extraordinary times. |
Contents
THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES | 3 |
THOMAS AND EILEEN BRODERICK | 17 |
WESLEY KO | 37 |
REV HARRY REGINALD REG HAMMOND | 55 |
GORDON LARSEN | 69 |
The ROMEO ClubRetired Old Men Eating | 77 |
CHARLES BRISCOE | 89 |
DOROTHY HAENER | 96 |
MARTHA SETTLE PUTNEY | 185 |
LUIS ARMIJO | 203 |
LOVE MARRIAGE AND COMMITMENT | 229 |
GAYLORD AND CARRIE LEE NELSON | 251 |
GEORGE BUSH | 273 |
BEN BRADLEE | 281 |
JULIA CHILD | 299 |
AL NEUHARTH | 319 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Al Neuharth Andy Rooney Armijo Art Buchwald asked assigned battle became began Bob Dole bomb boys Bradlee Briscoe Broderick Brokaw Buchwald California called camp career Carrie Lee Chesterfield Smith combat common Corps COURTESY D-Day Daphne Dole experience father fighting Foss friends Gaylord German going Gorder Haener Hatfield high school Holmes hospital husband Inouye Jeanette Jeanne Holm Joe Foss John kids killed Kilmer knew later learned lessons lives Lloyd Lomell Marine Mark Hatfield married Martha Mary Hallaren Mary Louise military Mineta mother nation Navy Neuharth never Normandy nurse officer pilot plane political president remembers Republican returned Rooney says Senate shipped Smith soldiers South Dakota Star stayed Takasugi talk thought told Tom Brokaw took U.S. Army United veterans Vietnam wanted wartime portrait Washington Weinberger woman women World World War II wounded young