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.”

©1999 Tom Brokaw (P)1999 Random House, Inc.

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)

What listeners say about The Greatest Generation Speaks

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

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.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Response

After reading this book, my mother also wrote memories of WW II on note paper and slipped it inside the cover. She was 6 years old, the seventh of nine children when her four older siblings left home to serve.
She is now 89 and her memory is fading. I am so pleased to have her notes and share with my first cousins.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely loved these stories!

Makes me appreciate this generation even more than I already do! One of my favorite!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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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