You could say the success of Tom Brokaw’s book, “The Greatest Generation,” on World War II veterans was helped by his then-status as NBC News anchor. And that would be correct. Partly. But Brokaw’s book also tapped into and made public an underlying phenomenon of national pride in the concept that the World War II era did, indeed, produce the Greatest Generation. The book appealed to all generations, the Greatest and the ones to follow. “The Greatest Generation” was an amazing book about an amazing generation. “Boom!: Voices of the Sixties” follows a similar format as “The Greatest Generation.” Brokaw combines elements of interview, reporting, and personal memoir and reflection in this engaging book about the turbulent 1960s and the Baby Boom generation, the sons and daughters of the Greatest Generation, which shaped the era known as the 1960s, which Brokaw defines as starting with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and concluding with the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon in 1974. Brokaw’s interview subjects include political and entertainment celebrities, as well as private citizens sharing their stories — again in a similar vein as “The Greatest Generation.” Yet, whereas Brokaw’s earlier book seemed to kickstart a national dialogue from what could have been called the silent generation as well as the greatest generation, “Boom!” feels like more of the same. It is a fine book, but the Baby Boom generation has had no difficulties talking about itself for the past 30-40 years. If anything, it has over-discussed, over-aggrandized and over-celebrated itself ad nauseum through popular culture. “The Greatest Generation” attracted readers from several generations: The Greatest itself, the Boomers, and the children and grandchildren of the previous generations. “Boom!” not so much. As Brokaw himself relates, when initially discussing the idea of his ’60s book, one person asks if the retired news anchor plans on calling his latest book, “The Worst Generation.” It is not the worst, but the 60s era is indeed one of the most hyped periods in American history and will remain so, at least for a couple of more decades or so.
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Tropical storm brings much needed rain to drought-stricken region
Lowndes County is in for a soaking today as Tropical Storm Beryl passes through the area, according to the National Weather Service.
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Wild Adventures unveils revamped animal show
A Chilean Rose tarantula, an albino Burmese python and American alligators headline Wild Adventures’ revamped “Creature Feature Extreme” show, as the exhibit kicked off its summer schedule last week in a newly constructed amphitheater.
Previously titled “Creature Feature,” the new variant of the show features some of the most popular animals from the previous exhibit. -
Pausing to honor those who gave all
Two Memorial Day ceremonies will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery Monday to honor the fallen veterans of our country’s past and current wars.
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Fallen hero memorialized
Amid cries of jubilation from the mother of a fallen local veteran, a new memorial was unveiled Saturday afternoon, at the intersection of North Valdosta Road and Inner Perimeter, in honor of the late Petty Officer First Class Joseph Adam McSween.
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VHS Class of 2012 graduates
Valdosta High School’s Class of 2012 gathered Friday night at the Valdosta State University PE Complex to celebrate the graduation of roughly 350 seniors.
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Qualifying ends
Citizens engaged in their local political landscape will have plenty of options this July and November as dozens of candidates qualified on Friday.
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Resident escapes from blaze
A citizen escaped an aggressive fire with only minor cuts and bruises Friday afternoon, as wind amplified the flames from the blaze that started inside of his St. Augustine Road residence.
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Weekend preview with Brittany McClure
Find out what's going on this weekend with Brittany McClure.
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Popular vendor taken out of the ballparks
With a wagon-load of fresh cakes, hot boiled peanuts and ice-cold bottled water she has witnessed generations of children, or as she refers to them, her angels, grow into adults with children of their own.
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Three candidates file for election
Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries continue with the addition of a couple new candidates interested in running for elected office.
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