Their Own Words: The Greatest Generation Collection

by Tom Brokaw

In 1984, Tom Brokaw went to France to make a documentary marking the 40th anniversary of D day. Although he was thoroughly briefed on the historical background of the invasion, he was totally unprepared for how it would affect him emotionally. Flooded with childhood memories of World War II, Brokaw began asking veterans at a ceremony commemorating the event to revisit their past and talk about what happened, triggering a chain reaction of war-torn confessions and Brokaw's compulsion to capture their experiences in what he terms "the permanence a book would represent." After almost 15 years and hundreds of letters and interviews, Brokaw wrote The Greatest Generation , a representative cross-section of the stories he came across. It proved so popular that it soon spawned a sequel, The Greatest Generation Speaks .

Genres: History

Hardcover

About the author

Thomas John Brokaw is an American television journalist and author, previously working on regularly scheduled news documentaries for the NBC television network, and is the former NBC News anchorman and managing editor of the program NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw. His last broadcast as anchorman was on December 1, 2004, succeeded by Brian Williams in a carefully planned transition. In the later part of Tom Brokaw's tenure, NBC Nightly News became the most watched cable or broadcast news program in the United States. Brokaw also hosted, wrote, and moderated special programs on a wide range of topics. Throughout his career, he has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors.

Brokaw serves on the Howard University School of Communications Board of Visitors and on the boards of trustees of the University of South Dakota, the Norton Simon Museum, the American Museum of Natural History and the International Rescue Committee. As well as his television journalism, he has written for periodicals and has authored books. He still works at NBC as a Special Correspondent.

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A literary and historical treasure. The appreciation I have for being allowed to go through such a personal journey with the letter writer; listening to their thoughts, understanding the depth of their feelings, their fears, their happiness, their joys and anger. Thank you.

[Lauren G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another one I listened to at work. I stopped working several times to focus totally on the book! I enjoyed hearing the personal accounts of World War II and the years after.