An Album of Memories: Personal Histories from the Greatest Generation

by Tom Brokaw

“I cannot go anywhere in America without people wanting to share their wartime experiences....The stories and the lessons have emerged from long-forgotten letters home, from reunions of old buddies and outfits, from unpublished diaries and home-published memoirs....As the stories in this album of memories remind us, it truly was an American experience, from the centers of power to the most humble corners of the land.”
—Tom Brokaw

In this beautiful American family album of stories from the Greatest Generation, the history of life as it was lived during the Depression and World War II comes alive and is preserved in people’s own words. Photographs and time lines also commemorate important dates and events. An Army Air Corps veteran who enlisted in 1941 at age seventeen writes to describe the Bataan Death March. A black nurse tells of her encounter with wartime segregation. Other members of the Greatest Generation describe their war—in such historic episodes as Guadalcanal, the D-Day invasion, the Battle of the Bulge, and Midway—as well as their lives on the home front. Starting with the Depression and Pearl Harbor, moving on through the war years in Europe, in the Pacific, and at home, this unique book preserves a people’s rich historical heritage and the legacy of a nation’s heroism in war and its courage in peace—in the shaping of their lives and of the world we have today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Memoir, Biography, War, Military Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

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

[Book2Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read The Greatest Generation, or watched it probably, but this book blew me away. I've always respected Tom Brokaw and had followed him since his days in LA. I am so glad he has saved these stories for posterity, because the next generations owe it to the Veterans of WWII, and to themselves as well. The book is mainly letters from vets and families touched by his book The Greatest Generation.
What a contrast to the ethics and outlook of this nation in 2021. I think growing up in the era of failed wars (Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan), I myself had become rather cynical about wars and veterans. This book changed the way I look at America and its citizens who stood for what is right and for freedom.
There is no whining in this book, no apologetics, and no finger pointing. The book is letters from veterans or their families who fought or lived through the war (and the Great Depression). Tom divides the letters into From the Depression to Pearl Harbor; The War in Europe; The War in the Pacific; and The Home Front. Each section has an outline chronologically of what took place in that period of time. One is 7 pages long.
I have said before and say again, that this should be required reading for every student in America. In fact, it should in my opinion, replace most history books in schools today. An Album of Memories: Personal Histories from the Greatest Generation

[carl theaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

People with every possible connection to World War II, veterans, their wives, children, siblings, parents, grandchildren were so inspired by author Brokaw’s ‘Greatest Generation’ books, that they sent him letters by the thousands relating their own experiences.

In this collection, the letters range from a simple paragraph to a few pages, many are so much alike, yet each has their own sparkle. Sometimes the shorter that the letter was, made me think a lot more about what was behind the simple ‘I served 16 months in the Pacific’ and that’s it !

I took to reading the book in short doses, that way, giving each letter its consideration. A truly worth good read!

Just an aside, I’d believe it if Tom Brokaw does not even knows this book exists. I’d say his staff put it together and ‘wrote’ it for him, not that it effects the quality of the content. Each chapter has a generic history of the progression of the war, and a timeline of major events to give the section some context, otherwise it is all letters and photos.

[Koren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Brokow has written several books about the Greatest generation- men and women who came of age during World War 2. After writing the books, he received many letters from people telling of their experiences during the war. This book is a collection of those letters. I found the longer letters were more interesting than the shorter ones. Some were real tear-jerkers and it made me sad to think that there aren't many left from that generation. This book was written 17 years ago so probably most of the wonderful people that wrote these letters are gone. I would recommend reading the other Greatest Generation books before this one.

[Jesseca Wheaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm now obsessed with getting these sort of books for research. So many small details included in the letters from men who were overseas are just astounding! Also, they cover many other things non-fiction books about the war seem to overlook, and it's a first-hand account. You can't get much better than that!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found parts of this book very interesting and enjoyable. Bought the book because of the author's name and I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed.

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review title: The Generation speaks

After Tom Brokaw's blockbuster defined The Greatest Generation, those silent warriors reached out to Brokaw's to tell their stories, and this is their book. While Brokaw's did a fine job with the original best seller, I lamented that I wanted to hear the oral history of the participants, and those voices make this book worth the fifth star.

The book is organized into sections for the years leading up to Pearl Harbor, the war in Europe, the war in the Pacific, the war on the home front and a concluding section of reflections. In each Brokaw writes a brief recap of the history, including a time-line of key events on a sidebar on each page, followed by the letters people sent to him to tell their stories. The variety of voices includes participants, spouses, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, the variety of writing styles including short anecdotes, emotional off-the-cuff outbursts (triggered by reading The Greatest Generation), and autobiographical "I was there" accounts. Some of the most poignant were sent in by spouses or descendants with a cover letter introducing a short memoir written by the participant. A couple of these cover letters mention that the writer took typing lessons later in life just to capture these moments and memories before they were lost. Many include photographs or other memorabilia.

And as in the best oral history, these writers are the stars. There is no index or bibliography, just an alphabetical list of contributors. They were after all the authors of the events that made history, and "It had been a long journey home, and I was a thousand years older" (p. 60), writes Jim Shenton. Ebby Bulger, after telling the story of her husband John, concludes "It was a war fought by ordinary, extraordinary young men and women." (p. 124). Some, 50 years after the events, call out for us today not to forget the horrors of the Holocaust

Don't in a few years start circulating the story that these atrocities were the stories of warmongers. And Jewish propaganda, that the pictures were posed and retouched. There are too many pictures. Too many people have seen them. (p. 135)

or the bitter battles in the South Pacific

We knew we were blood relatives of "the Battling Bastards of Bataan, no Father, no Mother, no Uncle Sam." . . . . Many good men bled and died in the Southwest Pacific. Most now feel we are new versions of the unknown Soldiers. (p. 168)

But the most prominent emotion is the warmth of the human experiences that carried this generation through difficult events to the important outcomes that shaped our 21st-century world. May we learn from them and live like them.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born in 1945. My father joined the army even with three children and a farm to manage. He was so distressed toward the end of the war, he joined up, thankfully it was very brief. Later in life, he became a very committed Quaker, as were two of his children. This book really enlightened me about that era . I did read a lot about the concentration camps because I had friends whose grandparents had been in the camps, and quietly spoke, not much, but little bits about being in the camps. Let us hope it will be never again.

[Jenni V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this 4 stars because it's really good to document the memories of "regular" people, and judging by the letter responses, his previous books (which I haven't read) really touched the people that lived through that time period. This book was written in 2001 so it's especially poignant to read them knowing there probably aren't many of them still around.

As far as the background info and timelines (basically the parts of the book that weren't letters), it was fine.

Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. Current generations should read this book and Tom Brokaw's other book "The Greatest Generation" so they can learn about the mindset of that generation and try to emulate it. The morals, ethics, patriotism, values and sense of responsibility for self they held seem to be missing in today's generations.

[Phyllis Fredericksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a great book filled with memories from those who fought or worked at home during WWII. Browse has compiled letters describing watching husbands and children go off to war. Letters also describe life at home and the jobs women filled. I loved reading about this time as dad didn’t talk about his service. An extremely worthwhile read.

[Tim Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of Tom Brokaw’s Greatest Generation books with letters and pictures from WW II vets, spouses, survivors and children. Reading this book gave me a greater appreciation of that generation that spawned the baby boomers. If we would get back to their love of country and fellow man, a lot of our problems and divisions in the USA would be solved.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about the soldiers who served our country in world war 2. It consists of letters written to Tom Brokaw some by the soldiers themselves and some their families telling of the sacrifice and patriotism they showed in serving their country. They are the Greatest Generation. Many thousands lie in graves all over Europe and the Japanese islands not to mention here.

[Maria Evers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting stories. My father fought in World War II and didn’t talk about the war very much. But when I interviewed him in the Spring of 1990 for a college class, War and American Life, he broke down in tears when he talked about the people he served with who died. This book gave me a better understanding of what he experienced.

[Mimiprice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational and heartwarming with a little heartwrenching thrown in for good measure. These letters to Tom Brokaw after he wrote "The Greatest Generation" contain so many personal stories of sacrifice and heroism. Wonderful read.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not an easy read. You will read stories of the greatness of men and women and hear of the horrors they faced. Not all came through it unscathed. A must-read for any generation and should cause us all to ponder what we'd be willing to do and sacrifice for the good of all.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Thought of my Dad while reading. He fought in WW2 in the Italian Campaign.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

#58 of 120 books pledged to read during 2018

[Sherri Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book with lots of fascinating photos and stories.

[Stefanie Jones]

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[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting and well-organized.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

I remember reading this book when it first came out. It gives you a PIC from the soldiers POV and gives you a new perspective of what they went thru.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

True stories of The Greatest Generation. Their sacrifice, faith, and bravery is unparalleled.

[Diane Secchiaroli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting compilation of letter and stories from survivors as well as from people affected by the WW2.it makes me want to read his book The Greatest Generation. It’s an interesting look at how the war affected those individuals in the Pacific Theatre, the European Front, and those people who were on the Home Front. A must read for those readers who are interested in historical novel concerning WW1 and WW2.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Brokaw asks people who lived through The Depression and World War II to send him letters and photos about their experiences. Even though I was not alive until the War was over, I could still relate to much of it. I do have family who were stationed on Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. The letters from people who were there were both heroic and tragic, as were many from the combat zones. The photos the letter writers submitted look so much like the pictures I’ve see of my parents in the in 1940’s. Although I didn’t read every page, as recollections of the same battle were often repeated by different soldiers, I found the book both tragic and inspiring. The one thing that made the biggest impression on me was the feeling that so many of the soldiers who returned and the people on the home front were grateful for their experiences and went on to the lead happy, successful lives.( 5 stars )

[Leanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this book, I made the passing acquaintance of a nearly 100-year-old man. Through conversation, I learned he was a veteran of WWII. This put him at the same age as my father (had my father still lived), likewise a WWII vet. I was born post-war, and my own dad never discussed his war-time experiences. This man, now a rare survivor, became a surrogate for my absent dad. I asked him all I could think of (without overwhelming him). What a day it became for me!
Reading this book was much like my experience that day... Voices of that time and those many places. It will remain with us as a last legacy when those voices are stilled. For those who did not have, as I did, an upbringing nurtured by members of that generation, you especially should read this book, to hear those voices. I commend it to you with a full heart.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Album of Memories: Personal Histories from the Greatest Generation had many different points of view on the "Greatest Generation", mostly regarding the time of the Great Depression and WWII. A collection of letters and remembrances that were touching to read and gave a more personal look into this wonderful group of people who lived through a very tough time period and not only survived, but thrived.

[David Chabot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read the book description before starting to read it but then I got pleasantly surprised. This book is basically an assemblage of personal letters sent to the author about his two previous books on the greatest generation. The author wrote about the WW2 generation and people felt compelled to thank him for it and share insights on his stories. It was truly humbling to read about the generation that gave so much and asked so little in return. It makes me wonder how we got to the point we're at, but that's a whole other story I guess. Read this thing, you won't regret it.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brokow does an amazing job of weaving all the parts of World War II together- from the Depression to Pearl Harbor, the War in Europe, War in the Pacific, The Home Front and the ending- but in letters from people involved in each area- a true album of stories that is easy to read from the lives of people that lived them.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I"m currently reading this, but I am not worried that I will be disappointed. I love Tom Brokaw and enjoyed his first two books.

[Elliott]

Decent book. It was mostly left over letters from people writing in after they read The Greatest Generation. However there are some good letters. Typically the longer the letter the better.