Tom Brokaw, known and beloved for his landmark work in American journalism and for the New York Times bestsellers The Greatest Generation and Boom!, now turns his attention to the challenges that face America in the new millennium, to offer reflections on how we can restore America’s greatness.
“What happened to the America I thought I knew?” Brokaw writes. “Have we simply wandered off course, but only temporarily? Or have we allowed ourselves to be so divided that we’re easy prey for hijackers who could steer us onto a path to a crash landing? . . . I do have some thoughts, original and inspired by others, for our journey into the heart of a new century.”
Rooted in the values, lessons, and verities of generations past and of his South Dakota upbringing, Brokaw weaves together inspiring stories of Americans who are making a difference and personal stories from his own family history, to engage us in a conversation about our country and to offer ideas for how we can revitalize the promise of the American Dream.
Inviting us to foster a rebirth of family, community, and civic engagement as profound as the one that won World War II, built our postwar prosperity, and ushered in the Civil Rights era, Brokaw traces the exciting, unnerving changes in modern life—in values, education, public service, housing, the Internet, and more—that have transformed our society in the decades since the age of thrift in which he was raised. Offering ideas from Americans who are change agents in their communities, in The Time of Our Lives, Brokaw gives us, a wise, honest, and wide-ranging book, a nourishing vision of hopefulness in an age of diminished expectations.
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"This is a very good and thought provoking read. Tom Brokaw gets you thinking about the status of America in a very logical way. He asks questions, and gives answers, thoughts, facts, and conclusions in a very thought out way. This book will get you thinking and asking why we cannot be better."
— Mark (4 out of 5 stars)
" Tom, some of what you say makes sense. But gay marriage is a valid issue, and libraries should not be moved to grocery stores. Fail. "
— Lindsay, 2/14/2014" I always enjoyed Tom Brokaw's "no holds barred" reporting so I was looking forward to reading this book. It's not a quick read, but it does give a very realistic view of the America I've grown up in. Life is not a bed of roses, but it's not a jar of sour lemons either, and Brokaw does a good job blending the two into a balanced telling of the American history of my generation. "
— Cynthia, 2/12/2014" This was okay, it was kind of neat to read a book discussing events from MY lifetime for a change and he has some good points made in relatively new ways that make you wonder about changing values etc. of our society. Overall I recommend it since it is such a quick read. "
— Rachel, 2/9/2014" Made it through about 15 minutes. This book should come with a warning for people born after 1960. Ingratiating, self-indulgent, ego-stroking generational pandering...and that was just the introduction. "
— Denise, 2/4/2014" I listened to Tom Brokaw read it and really enjoyed it. Lots of history, much of which I remembered... "
— Cathy, 1/31/2014" The best lesson of this book is, like it or not, we're all in this journey called life together. This is an enjoyable, quick read from the likable Brokaw about life lessons learned from his own family and experiences, as well as from the many Americans he's met traveling from coast to coast. "
— Jake, 1/28/2014" Brokaw offers his perspective on the recent history of the United States. "
— Jessica, 1/22/2014" I'm really not sure what the point of this book was. "
— Judy, 1/14/2014" I read so much fiction it's good to read some non fiction every now and then. I really enjoyed this book because I feel it's written for my time. Even though it's from Brokaw's perspective I felt very included and moved by what he had to say. "
— Kelly, 12/28/2013" Must read for our generation "
— Susan, 12/5/2013" Boring, which is surprising given how entertaining he is on Letterman. "
— Maida, 11/23/2013" He has some good ideas. Since he and I are contemporaries, I share witness with much that he writes about. "
— Esther, 11/8/2013" Tom Brokaw is absolutely brilliant when it comes to describing what is going in America, with his own personal touch on his own life and yet yet is fair and accurate! "
— Bob, 8/14/2013" Good book. Preaching to the choir, but I respect Tom Brokaw and it was interesting to hear his ideas on how should proceed as a country, and to hear his stories about his family. "
— Judi, 6/17/2013" Great perspective on where America was and where we can go. Felt like a long conversation with my wise and thoughtful Grandfather. "
— Costen, 6/2/2013" Enjoyed The Greatest Generation a whole lot more "
— Rebecca, 1/28/2013" It's a great book to view where we have been in America, where we are now, and now it's time to think about how to fix the problems and make the future better. Makes you think about what is really important in life. "
— Dianne, 1/3/2013" More auto-biographical than illuminating and pleasant for it. A peek inside the life of someone achieving the American dream. Tom and I could go for a beer now. "
— Kathryn, 11/18/2012" Probably depends upon your political bent as to whether you'd read this. Moves along quickly enough to not be too dry. As a New Year's book, it's a review of our American history, from a particular bent. "
— Sharie, 6/20/2012" Enjoyed his sound advice and the way he tailored the message to audiences of all ages. "
— Nick, 6/1/2012" Really found this thought provoking and inspiring. "
— Tressalombardi, 4/20/2012" Brokaw's book is interesting, but it kind of reads like a half-time pep talk given to a losing team. If you're looking for thoughtful discussion of our current political/social/economic situtation, this is not it. "
— Michael, 1/8/2012Tom Brokaw is the author of several books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller The Greatest Generation. In 2014, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and he has won every major award in broadcast journalism, including two DuPont Awards, a Peabody Award, and several Emmy Awards. He is a regular contributor to the op-ed pages of the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal, as well as writing for Time, Newsweek, and Men’s Journal. A native of South Dakota, he graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in political science. He joined NBC News in 1966, serving as the White House correspondent during Watergate and anchoring Today on NBC from 1976 to 1981. He was the sole anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw from 1983 to 2005.