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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Civil War Talk > Other Civil War Talk > The Greatest Generation ? |
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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Civil War Talk > Other Civil War Talk > The Greatest Generation ? |
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| The Greatest Generation ? | Rating: 
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| Posted: Fri Sep 3rd, 2010 01:59 am |
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1st Post |
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rjh57 Member 
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Broadcast journalist Tom Brokaw wrote in his 1998 book "The Greatest Generation" that 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 is "the greatest generation any society has ever produced." I strongly disagree with him. I believe those who were born in the first half of the 19th century (circa 1820-1845) and fought in the American Civil War - North and South - to be the greatest generation this country has ever produced. Agree or disagree? Bob H. Last edited on Fri Sep 3rd, 2010 02:00 am by rjh57 |
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| Posted: Fri Sep 3rd, 2010 02:26 pm |
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2nd Post |
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HankC Member 
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Not sure about the 'greatest generation' but they certainly are the 'richest generation'. My cynical side thinks Ambrose, Brokaw, and others, are keen on tapping into that wealth. If I ever run for office, this post will probably haunt me  HankC
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| Posted: Fri Sep 3rd, 2010 03:23 pm |
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3rd Post |
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rjh57 Member
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I'm sure the book made Brokaw very popular with his so-called "Greatest Generation" and boosted the ratings of NBC's Nightly News broadcast. Dan Rather and other TV broadcasters wrote simlar books shortly afterward. Who the hell put Brokaw in charge of choosing our greatest generation? Other than fight WW II, what much-needed domestic social changes - civil rights, environmental protection, women's liberation, ... - did "The Greatest Generation" accomplish? Sheez, is there anything these media personalities will not do for ratings? Bob "I thought the 1960's generation was pretty good" H.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 4th, 2010 04:18 am |
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4th Post |
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Hellcat Person 
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Actually, it wasn't Brokaw who first called that generation the Greatest Generation. The term was first used by William Strauss and Neil Howe in their book The Fourth Turning to describe the British generation of that period. Their term for the American generaition of that period was the G.I. generation. Brokaw's use of the term should be noted as his opinion, though so many have taken it beyond that point. And according to Strauss and Howe, those born from 1820 to 1845 would have been part of the Transcendental Generation (1792-1821), the Gilded Generation (1822-1842), and the Progressive Generation (1843-1859). Going by their book, the Silent Generation (1925-1942) would have also seen some of it's members involved in WWII, though they would have been among the youngest and would have entered late in the war unless they lied about their age. Last edited on Sat Sep 4th, 2010 04:25 am by Hellcat |
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| Posted: Sat Sep 4th, 2010 06:34 am |
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5th Post |
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rjh57 Member
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Hmm, interesting. More on the work of Strauss and Howe at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strauss_and_Howe Bob H.
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| Posted: Sun Sep 5th, 2010 01:41 am |
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6th Post |
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9Bama Member
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Hellcat wrote: Actually, it wasn't Brokaw who first called that generation the Greatest Generation. The term was first used by William Strauss and Neil Howe in their book The Fourth Turning to describe the British generation of that period. Their term for the American generaition of that period was the G.I. generation. Brokaw's use of the term should be noted as his opinion, though so many have taken it beyond that point. Lied about their age... that is exactly what my uncle did... and quit HS to join the Navy... Stellar career in the navy, then a magnificient career as a forrester.. my dad, born 1922, joined the Army in 1939 and served until 1974. I don't know about the greatest generation, but they were special!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 11th, 2010 07:52 pm |
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7th Post |
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ole Member 
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They certainly were special, bama. My dad was 35 in 1942, and he had six kids and was a farmer. He got a nice letter from the SSS saying he was better off growing oats and they didn't need his scrawny body all that bad. But I had the great good fortune to know some who served then. The guy from the 101st who jumped behind Normandy. The Ranger who climbed the cliffs and the grunt who marched from Anzio to Pilsen. I do like to think we still make their kind. Last edited on Sat Sep 11th, 2010 07:56 pm by ole |
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12th, 2010 02:59 am |
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8th Post |
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9Bama Member
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Yea me too!
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12th, 2010 12:42 pm |
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9th Post |
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Mark Member
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Ole and Bama, I promise that we do still make their kind: take a look at the story behind the newest kid getting the MOH.
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12th, 2010 12:45 pm |
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10th Post |
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Mark Member
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Ole and Bama, I'm sure we do still "make them that way." Take a look at the story behind Sgt. Giunta, the newest kid getting the MOH. Mark
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