The Greatest Generation

The Greatest Generation

Questions #1

Jeeun Yi

1) The book, The Greatest Generation, was published in 1998. Tom Brokaw, a 77-year-old man (born in 1940), is an author of this book. The author wrote this book to tell about the World War II to new generations who did not go through the war. Thus, the book is going to cover about the World War II, but the author introduces each historic event that he heard directly from World War II veterans.

2)

a. The Great Depression: From 1929 to 1939, the American economy went through the hardest time among its history. The hardest period is called the “Great Depression.” Starting from the New York stock market crash in October 1929, the economy rapidly turned down; half of banks in America failed,

When the economy started to recover, they had to go abroad to fight for their country because of the war. After the war, they got back to daily life, and contributed to make the country’s most powerful peacetime economy. They also recorded highest marriage rate and birth rate, and became parents of the Baby Boomers. This generation has accomplished a lot throughout their lifetime, but never showed it off. No generation before and after them could do the same, that’s why Brokaw named them the “Greatest Generation.” However, I cannot agree with him yet. I might change my mind as I read over the book, but so far, I think every generation has achieved its own part, and there is no “better” achievement. I agree that the generation who went through the WWII did great, but their work could not have been done if the first generation of America had not founded America. How about the generation of the Civil War? They abolished slavery and raised awareness of racial discrimination. Who can judge which generation is the

They went through the war, and the special situation aroused extremely high commitment to “my” family and “my” community. When considering it’s not a wartime, this generation still have a strong commitment to family and community. Despite busy daily life, people try to spend time with their family, do a proportion of chores, and help family members when they are in trouble. People also volunteer to help others nationally and internationally. If they do not have time for physical help, they can donate items or money. People even donate their organs for someone who they have never met before. It is not hard to fine examples that people in the same community raise a fund to support a person who need a surgery but cannot afford it. Although the form of commitment might be different from the past, the level of commitment to family and community is as strong as the