The Greatest Generation Speaks: Father's Day, Now and Forever

NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw, who had a publishing hit with The Greatest Generation, now offers viewers a video version of his follow-up book tribute to the men and women of WWII, The Greatest Generation Speaks: Letters and Reflections. Originally presented as a Father's Day 2001 special news report on the NBC Nightly News With Tom Brokaw, the program focuses on just a few of the hundreds of soldiers interviewed for the book. Featuring insights from historians and military experts, and interviews with the G.I.s, who share with viewers the stories of how their lives were forever altered more than 50 years ago, the video also offers an especially poignant examination of the 'boomer' generation of children born after the war, some of whom cannot come to grips with the realities of either WWII or the Great Depression which preceded it--the twin key events that helped shape their parents' generation. While emotions are not far from the surface in the veterans and widows of those who sacrificed their life in defense of the country, their children--now in their late '40s and early '50s--still find it hard to imagine a country at war and a people facing hardship in almost every aspect of their lives. With this 'greatest generation' rapidly disappearing from the American scene, Brokaw has admirably succeeded in memorializing these once young, frightened, and hopeful soldiers who fought to save Western civilization during those hellish years of WWII. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: P. (J. Carlson)