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.
Local News
- Local News
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Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
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Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
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City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
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Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
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From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
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Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
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New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
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Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide
Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.
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Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year
Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.” -
VPD offers online citation payment
The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.
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