I listened to Tom Brokaw read it and really enjoyed it. Lots of history, much of which I remembered... ( )

I give this the four star treatment because of its readability, appeal of the author, and its importance. It is a telling book that every American who cares about the future of the country should read. This volume is basically a tour de force of the big issues confronting America, its competitiveness in the future, and its legacy of the present.

Beginning with the uncivil nature of today's national discourse and moving on to issues such as health care, education, the military complex, and others, Brokaw paints a picture of a troubled country that has lost touch with its roots and many of its values. He compares the values America was founded on and still espouses to how it behaves. Like you and I it is not always a favorable comparison. Like you and I, the nation has the will and capacity to change.

The question is, will we?

While I do not always agree with his position I very much appreciate his perspective, candor, wit, and insight. He is a person who has over the course of the last half century had unusual access to world events and world leaders. Tie that to his Midwestern roots grounded in common sense and his observations take on added import.

In the process of reading this book you will learn more about the man. A nightly visitor in our homes for decades he here illuminates details not previously heard of national life while sharing the personal side of life as well. I must admit I was fascinated when he discussed the diverse nature of his own family. If ever someone was qualified to call themselves a real American, to the extent that phrase implies a true melting pot of society that enables all to find their best, then Brokaw can rightly wear the badge.

The most important contribution of this book? I believe it will cause you to think. You will learn about people who have been moved to action, people of means and people without. You will be inspired and challenged.

Then it is up to you.

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Brokaw is one of those genuine liberals of the American journalists school. He reflects on his South Dakota upbringing and tells us from his point of view what is the promise of the American dream. This is a type of moderate Democrat that has become less common as the radicals and far left wing of the party takes control. He intersperses his liberalism and personal story with boundless Midwestern optimism.

During his rising journalistic career he bought his first home in California in 1968. He was a local anchor and network correspondent for the NBC station in Los Angeles. The house was a 40-year-old home in Studio City with three bedrooms and one bath with a spare bedroom and another bath at the far end. It was in the 1400 hundred foot range and the house cost $42,500, just slightly more than his annual salary.

First I have to say I am so glad I selected the audio book. Having Tom Brokaw read to me in the car is wonderful. I love his voice. I enjoyed this book. Yes, he covered lots of topics, but it a conversation about America and America is a complex thing. I liked that he said "fact" "past" "present" "Promise" and covered what it was like in the past, what we are dealing with now and what we possibly need to do. I learned several things about America I didn't know. Some good and some not so good. If you like Tom Brokaw then I think you will enjoy this book. ( )

I don’t typically read (or listen to) non-fiction. It’s just not my thing. And I’m inclined to avoid anything that may have political overtones, because honestly politics confuse and depress me and I prefer for my book time to be spent with things that make me feel good. That said, I have been drawn to The Time of Our Lives since it hit the shelves last year. I brought home the book, but returned it unread because others seemed more interesting at the time. And then, as packing was wrapping up at work there was the audio edition – lonely and forlorn having somehow been overlooked in the frenzy. It must have been divine intervention and seeing how Tom Brokaw was doing his own reading I brought it home to give a listen.

In The Time of Our Lives Mr. Brokaw explores the challenges that we face today in America and asks, “What can we do to restore our country to greatness?” Through stories about his working class family and their experiences as well as those of several interesting and inspirational Americans he paints a vivid picture of the country that was, and the American dream that meant so much to so many. But what has become of that dream? What do we hope to achieve in our lives and what do we want for our children? In the past century we have gone from the great depression to decades of great excess and now into the great recession. How do we find our way back to the top? Can we find our way? Mr. Brokaw doesn’t profess to have all the answers, but he offers insight into what restored us following WWII and how it might help us now.

Like I said, non-fiction isn’t my thing, but I’m really glad that I brought this one home. First, I love his voice – he could be reading the dictionary and I would listen. The main reason though is it gave me so much to think about. It also led to several stimulating conversations with my husband, John. What is our American dream? Things that were once so important, like owning a home, have a completely different meaning to us now. And how about retiring and living a life of leisure? I’m pretty sure that won’t be happening any time soon! It isn’t all about the big stuff. He reminded me that my son won’t ever have a collection of 45 rpm records, and that the salesman won’t be coming to the door with this month’s encyclopedia! There are other things too, like how much our life expectancy has increased, and the amazing advances that we’ve made in medicine. I’m pushing the envelope on 50, but hopefully I’m only half way done!

The book moves along at a good pace. Even the parts that touched on politics and world events were presented in a way that held my interest. I like Tom and his family (by the end, I felt like we were friends so it’s okay to use his first name!) There’s a bit where someone asked what his wife thought of being married to a “news celebrity”, and he replied, “I’m surprised when she even remembers what I do at the end of the day!” Family and community are important and he reminds us with touching stories of everyday heros and regular people displaying extraordinary strength and compassion. I’ll even admit that listening to a story at the end of the book about a herd of cattle in the Montana wilderness was so moving that I found myself tearing up! The moral of the story - when we’re faced with a difficult situation it’s always easier to go through it together. You’re right Tom. And I promise to do my best! ( )