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Letters from the Greatest Generation: Writing Home in WWII
Victory and defeat, love and loss are the prevalent realities of Letters from the Greatest Generation , a remarkable and frank collection of World War II letters penned by American men and women serving overseas. Here, the hopes and dreams of the greatest generation fill each page, and their voices ring loud and clear. "It's all part of the game but it's bloody and rough," wrote one soldier to his wife. "Wearing two stripes now and as proud as an old cat with five kittens," marked another. Yet, as many countries rejoiced on V-E Day, soldiers were "too tired and sad to celebrate." While visiting a German concentration camp, one man wrote, "I don't like Army life but I'm glad we are here to stop these atrocities." True to the everyday thoughts of these fighters, this collection of letters can be as amusing as it is worrying. As one soldier noted, "I know lice don't crawl so I figured they were fleas." A fitting tribute to all veterans, this book is one every American should own and read.
376 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 23, 2019
A good book that is filled with letters from American service men and women who served in all theatres and armed branches during World War 2, from the beginning to the end. The letters are filled with every day life happenings of these brave men and women and are full of hopes, dreams and sadness, especially tragic are the letters of those who died, some being the last they would ever write. A short bio is given of each individual and then you are reminded again how young this greatest generation was when they had to face unimaginable things. Highly recommended if you are looking for this kind of thing.
July 7, 2022
I got this book because the letters were collected from Hoosiers, and as a Hoosier myself, I was interested.
The veterans (some of whose letters are published posthumously) are writing from the various battlefields of World War II, or during the occupation of Japan. Most harrowing are the accounts from Americans who entered the German concentration camps -- it is noteworthy that they often add words to the effect: tell everyone about this, at least if you think they could stand to hear it.
I have found that reading letters and memoirs written during or very shortly after a war are the most compelling. Often the writers can only see their own relatively small part in any engagement, while aware that something much larger is going on.
An account from legendary war correspondent Ernie Pyle is a great read; it was notable that some of the men writing from the Pacific theater named him, and mentioned being near Ie Shima where he was killed. War correspondents are not always appreciated, but Ernie Pyle was one who earned the respect of the men he encountered in Europe and the Pacific.
Other letters are clearly written for familiar friends and family and some are a bit boring. Over all, this is a fine collection, however, and provides a most interesting window into the experiences of "regular people" at the front, soldiers, some officers, nurses, and Red Cross personnel.
The veterans (some of whose letters are published posthumously) are writing from the various battlefields of World War II, or during the occupation of Japan. Most harrowing are the accounts from Americans who entered the German concentration camps -- it is noteworthy that they often add words to the effect: tell everyone about this, at least if you think they could stand to hear it.
I have found that reading letters and memoirs written during or very shortly after a war are the most compelling. Often the writers can only see their own relatively small part in any engagement, while aware that something much larger is going on.
An account from legendary war correspondent Ernie Pyle is a great read; it was notable that some of the men writing from the Pacific theater named him, and mentioned being near Ie Shima where he was killed. War correspondents are not always appreciated, but Ernie Pyle was one who earned the respect of the men he encountered in Europe and the Pacific.
Other letters are clearly written for familiar friends and family and some are a bit boring. Over all, this is a fine collection, however, and provides a most interesting window into the experiences of "regular people" at the front, soldiers, some officers, nurses, and Red Cross personnel.
March 4, 2019
After starting this book I realized that all the letters were from service men and women from Indiana. Since I spent a good portion of my younger life as a Hoosier I found this even more interesting. Some very interesting letters, Each letter is prefaced by a short bio of the writer. many of these were written by soldiers that later were killed in action which made them especially sad. However the saddest letter was written to a family before the soldier died and was to be sent by follow servicemen in case of his death. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in what World War II was really like from people that served. the were certainly the "Greatest Generation".
December 18, 2017
This book was very well put together. Each section had a short history as well as a description of each person who wrote the letter. As I was reading the letters, I really felt like I was there. I could feel what each person was feeling, and I felt the sadness as I realized that some of the letters were the last letters written. I can only imagine what the families went through as they received a letter one day and the next receiving word their loved one was killed in action. A definite 5-star book.
May 21, 2025
So good! Wow. I listened. And now I want to get the book to see the pictures and read a few of the letters again. I’ve been studying the war for 15 years. This was a completely different take on it. I have seen and heard many vets speak on the war, but this was a different level! Hearing from them during the actual war was so different. A real perspective on the feel and experience of the times. Get this. Read it. Awesome.
October 4, 2017
It is so easy to lose sight of what really happens during a fight for freedom. These letters were inspiring, tragic, and enlightening. These men and women truly saw the world in a way it is hard to understand. Given our current situation, these letters are stark reminders of what we have to loose when we forget to respect everyone's rights - not just our own.
March 4, 2019
World War 2 Story
This is an excellent book. It is letters written home by soldiers during the war. They are from every theater and from all ranks. The letters are thoughtfu and tell of every day happenings as well as big battles. So many of them seemed to be grateful to serve in the war
This is an excellent book. It is letters written home by soldiers during the war. They are from every theater and from all ranks. The letters are thoughtfu and tell of every day happenings as well as big battles. So many of them seemed to be grateful to serve in the war
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews