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The Greatest Generation Speaks
- Letters and Reflections
- Narrated by: Tom Brokaw, a supporting cast
- Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Military & War
Non-member price: $34.76
Publisher's Summary
New York Times best seller
A powerful selection of the letters Tom Brokaw received in response to his towering number-one best seller The Greatest Generation.
“When I wrote about the men and women who came out of the Depression, who won great victories and made lasting sacrifices in World War II and then returned home to begin building the world we have today - the people I called the Greatest Generation - it was my way of saying thank you. But I was not prepared for the avalanche of letters and responses touched off by that book. I had written a book about America, and now America was writing back.” -Tom Brokaw
In the phenomenal best seller The Greatest Generation, Tom Brokaw paid affecting tribute to those who gave the world so much - and who left an enduring legacy of courage and conviction. The Greatest Generation Speaks collects the vast outpouring of letters Brokaw received from men and women eager to share their intensely personal stories of a momentous time in America’s history. Some letters tell of the front during the war, others recall loved ones in harm’s way in distant places. They offer first-hand accounts of battles, poignant reflections on loneliness, exuberant expressions of love, and somber feelings of loss.
As Brokaw notes, “If we are to heed the past to prepare for the future, we should listen to these quiet voices of a generation that speaks to us of duty and honor, sacrifice and accomplishment. I hope more of their stories will be preserved and cherished as reminders of all that we owe them and all that we can learn from them.”
Critic Reviews
"Extremely powerful...a healthy reminder of the foundations on which American society is built." (Amazon.com)
"The stories are emotional, and Brokaw comes through with appropriate pathos." (AudioFile)
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What listeners say about The Greatest Generation Speaks
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Sean
- 17-03-2004
Not for everyone
The first mistake that I made was in that I thought that I purchased The Greatest Generation and instead I got this. After I got over the disappointment of my mistake I listened to this and it was interesting but not mind blowing in any way. Some stories are more telling of the time than others. I kind of got tired of the same readers relaying different stories and actually there are so many stories that they really started to blend. I am somebody who is VERY interested in hearing my father's stories and is fascinated by this generation but listening to hours and hours of 'ok' stories didn't make for great entertainment for me. Perhaps I would have liked it more as it was intended (a follow-on to the original book) but I don't think so.
17 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Jackie
- 15-08-2004
Open and Honest
These are touching stories, sure to bring both smiles and tears. You do not have to have read The Greatest Generation, this book is wonderful on it's own. The cast was fantastic and did a great job of bringing the characters to life. Inspiring. I enjoyed this selection and would choose it again.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Arthur
- 01-08-2015
Fantastic book and perfectly performed
Definitely one of the better WWII books I have listened to! I would highly recommend it for anyone who has read the greatest generation as well as anyone interested in learning from those who lived it how WWII shaped the Baby Boomer generation.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Francie
- 03-04-2010
Wonderful Book!
It is impossible to listen to this book and not be humbled and moved to tears! I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all the sacrifices made in World War II to preserve our country's way of life. Thanks to all who participated and shared their stories.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Mark
- 20-06-2004
Great book
I enjoyed this audible book very much and despite the grating voice of Tom Brokaw, he came out with what turned out to be a wonderful and touching book. A great read to and from work.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- Robert A. Lerner
- 09-09-2005
Repetitive
My husband and I found this book tedious and did not finish listening to it. The characters showed bravery, but were not interesting. The storytelling seemed flat to us.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MaryB
- 07-08-2020
Absolutely loved these stories!
Makes me appreciate this generation even more than I already do! One of my favorite!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Don
- 20-04-2017
Thanks Vets
If you could sum up The Greatest Generation Speaks in three words, what would they be?
This is an awesome book about the World War II Generation,I just Tom would have done more of the Narrating....
What did you like best about this story?
the letters
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michele
- 24-09-2015
My parents are from The Greatest Generation
If you're lucky enough to be the child or the grand child of those who grew up in the depression and came of age in ww2, this is a "must read". So many similarities and so many connections to draw from EACH story. You'll feel a renewed pride about Your history and a commitment to character like never before.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michele
- 31-05-2015
I LOVED IT.
I learned a lot. I laughed and cried. I was born in 1950. I am grateful to the Greatest Generation.
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