Reflections on America and the American experience as he has lived and observed it by the bestselling author of The Greatest Generation, whose iconic career in journalism has spanned more than fifty yearsFrom his parents’ life in the Thirties, on to his boyhood along the Missouri River and on the prairies of South Dakota in the Forties, into his early journalism career in the Fifties and the … career in the Fifties and the tumultuous Sixties, up to the present, this personal story is a reflection on America in our time. Tom Brokaw writes about growing up and coming of age in the heartland, and of the family, the people, the culture and the values that shaped him then and still do today.
His father, Red Brokaw, a genius with machines, followed the instincts of Tom’s mother Jean, and took the risk of moving his small family from an Army base to Pickstown, South Dakota, where Red got a job as a heavy equipment operator in the Army Corps of Engineers’ project building the Ft. Randall dam along the Missouri River. Tom Brokaw describes how this move became the pivotal decision in their lives, as the Brokaw family, along with others after World War II, began to live out the American Dream: community, relative prosperity, middle class pleasures and good educations for their children.
“Along the river and in the surrounding hills, I had a Tom Sawyer boyhood,” Brokaw writes; and as he describes his own pilgrimage as it unfolded—from childhood to love, marriage, the early days in broadcast journalism, and beyond—he also reflects on what brought him and so many Americans of his generation to lead lives a long way from home, yet forever affected by it.
Praise for A Long Way from Home
“[A] love letter to the . . . people and places that enriched a ‘Tom Sawyer boyhood.’ Brokaw . . . has a knack for delivering quirky observations on small-town life. . . . Bottom line: Tom’s terrific.”—People
“Breezy and straightforward . . . much like the assertive TV newsman himself.”—Los Angeles Times
“Brokaw writes with disarming honesty.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Brokaw evokes a sense of community, a pride of citizenship, and a confidence in American ideals that will impress his readers.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch
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It kept a smile on my face
I like books by Tom Brokaw
Well written by a long-respected American journalist.
Interesting. Not as attention holding as his personal appearances
Excellent. An interesting person with a well-written book. He’s had an interesting life.
Excellent
Highly recommend this autobiography for everyone. Gives a very good sense of what it was like growing up poor in the West in the 40’s and 50’s. Also what is was like for his parents to get their start in life & raising the family. Eye-opening life story makes me glad & appreciate that he was able to make his own life better.
Great at bringing back the feelings of the times. Felt like a visit home.
Loved this book – brought back so many memories of my growing up years. Thank you, Tom, for writing it.
Boring.
Well written–I could almost hear Tom Brocaw’s voice as he told his story. Disappointed that it only covered the first 22 years of his life. There is so much more!
it was boring, unlike most of Tom Brokaw’s books.
I’m from South Dakota and his memories were similar to mine. The book was entertaining because of the memories it brought to me.
This book gave me inside into my parents who were mid-westerners the same age as Mr Brokaw’s parents. It got a little preachy toward the end but overall was interesting and insiteful
I’m a big Tom Brokaw fan so I find this very interesting.
Tom Brokaws journey shows me why I have certain traits. My dad was from North Dakota and traveled out of the dust bowl. I see why my family expresses emotion The way they do. And I can see where my dad got the drive to work work work always and do a good job. And that is what I got from him. I only give it four stars as I am 62 years old and not sure a younger under 40 group would benefit from reading his journey.
I like Tom Brokaw in the first place, but I even like and respect him more now after reading his book. I recommend it to family and friends.
well written but a little dull.
Great book!!! Took me back to my childhood out west. Brokaw is just a GREAT writer.
I grew up in North Dakota and my life story was a mirror of this. I enjoyed the nostalgic trip down memory lane,
I respect Tom Brokaw and how he’s applied his intellect and curiousity to superior journalism. Growing up in S.D. myself I enjoyed how he integrates his humble beginnings to those qualities that make him outstanding in his field.