''The Greatest Generation'' is a 1998 book by journalist
Tom Brokaw
Thomas John Brokaw (; born February 6, 1940) is an American author and retired network television journalist. He first served as the co-anchor of Today (American TV program), ''The Today Show'' from 1976 to 1981 with Jane Pauley, then as the anch ...
that profiles those who grew up in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
during the deprivation of the
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...
and then went on to fight in
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
as well as those whose productivity within the
home front during World War II
The term "home front" covers the activities of the civilians in a nation at war. World War II was a total war; homeland Military production during World War II, military production became vital to both the Allies of World War II, Allied and Axis ...
made a decisive material contribution to the
war effort
War effort is a coordinated mobilization of society's resources—both industrial and civilian—towards the support of a military force, particular during a state of war. Depending on the militarization of the culture, the relative si ...
. The book popularized the term ''
Greatest Generation
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. This generation is generally defined as people born from ...
'' for the name of the cultural
generation
A generation is all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively. It also is "the average period, generally considered to be about 20–30 years, during which children are born and grow up, become adults, and b ...
before the
Silent Generation.
Summary
Brokaw profiles those who came of age during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
in the United States, stemming from his attendance at the
D-Day
The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as ...
40th anniversary celebrations. In the book, Brokaw wrote that "it is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced." He argued that these men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the "right thing to do."
See also
*
Military history of the United States during World War II
The military history of the United States during World War II covers the nation's role as one of the major Allies of World War II, Allies in their victory over the Axis powers. The United States is generally considered to have entered the conf ...
*
United States home front during World War II
The United States home front during World War II supported the war effort in many ways, including a wide range of volunteer efforts and submitting to government-managed rationing and price controls. There was a general feeling of agreement that ...
References
Sources
*''The Greatest Generation'' by
Tom Brokaw
Thomas John Brokaw (; born February 6, 1940) is an American author and retired network television journalist. He first served as the co-anchor of Today (American TV program), ''The Today Show'' from 1976 to 1981 with Jane Pauley, then as the anch ...
(1998) (hardback) (paperback), depicts the Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and fought World War II.
*''The Greatest Generation Speaks'' by Tom Brokaw (1999) (hardback) (paperback)
*''The Great Boom 1950–2000: How a Generation of Americans Created the World's Most Prosperous Society'' by
Robert Sobel (2000)
*''Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069'' by
Strauss and Howe (1991)
External links
Presentation by Brokaw on ''The Greatest Generation'', December 7, 1998 C-SPAN
Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN ) is an American Cable television in the United States, cable and Satellite television in the United States, satellite television network, created in 1979 by the cable television industry as a Non ...
''Booknotes'' interview with Tom Brokaw on ''The Greatest Generation'', March 7, 1999 C-SPAN
Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN ) is an American Cable television in the United States, cable and Satellite television in the United States, satellite television network, created in 1979 by the cable television industry as a Non ...
Amazon.com's book reviews and descriptionOne last time they gather, the Greatest Generation
{{DEFAULTSORT:Greatest Generation, The
1998 non-fiction books
20th-century history books
American history books
History books about the United States
History books about World War II
Non-fiction books about the Great Depression
Random House books
Sociology books