Greatest Generation

For other uses, see Greatest Generation (disambiguation).

"The Greatest Generation" is a term made popular by journalist Tom Brokaw to describe the generation who grew up in the United States during the deprivation of the Great Depression, and then went on to fight in World War II, as well as those whose productivity within the war's home front made a decisive material contribution to the war effort, for which the generation is also termed the G.I. Generation.

The Greatest Generation

The term "The Greatest Generation" is the title of Tom Brokaw's 1998 book profiling members of this generation, stemming from his attendance at the D-day 40th anniversary celebrations. In the book, Brokaw wrote, "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
• United States home front during World War II
• List of generations

References

• The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw (1998) ISBN 0-375-50202-5 (hardback) ISBN 0-385-33462-1 (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) ISBN 0-375-50394-3 (hardback) ISBN 0-385-33538-5 (paperback)
• The Great Boom 1950–2000: How a Generation of Americans Created the World's Most Prosperous Society by Robert Sobel (2000) ISBN 0-312-20890-1
• Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069 by Strauss and Howe (1991) ISBN 0-688-11912-3

External links

• Booknotes interview with Tom Brokaw on The Greatest Generation, March 7, 1999.
• Amazon.com's book reviews and description
• OnTheIssues.org's book review and excerpts
• One last time they gather, the Greatest Generation]