He waded into the river and failed again, repeating the retreat to the eddy and the sandbar. He tried a third time and still didn’t make it. When he got back to the sandbar he was trembling, and I wondered, What now?
On the far bank, the rest of the herd waited patiently as the mother of the frightened calf stood at the water’s edge and, as God is my witness, nodded her majestic head to him, as if to say, “It’s okay; I’m coming to get you.”
With that she waded into the river and crossed over to him, nuzzling him for a moment before leading him upstream to an easier passage. They rejoined the rest of the herd and trotted off to greener pastures.
I was so moved by the experience I could barely breathe, and once again I was reminded that every year the creatures of the wild teach me something about life as it should be lived.
I shared the story with our grandchildren and friends over the years, extending the metaphor about maternal care to include the obligation we all have to one another when we reach our own flood-stage rivers. We navigate them successfully when we do it together.
For Claire and Meredith,
Vivian and Charlotte,
and grandchildren everywhere
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book first began to take shape in my mind as I traveled across America on U.S. Highway 50 for a study of the American character commissioned by Bonnie Hammer, the enterprising and creative head of USA, the cable channel that is such an important part of the NBC family. Martha Spanninger led our Peacock Productions team on the long road from the eastern shore of Maryland to Sacramento, California, with stops in Washington, D.C.; Ohio; Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Kansas; Colorado; and Nevada. In every location I visited with fellow citizens who shared their wisdom, concerns, and determination not to lose the American Dream. I am eternally grateful for their cooperation and insights.
Once the book was under way, I was helped immeasurably by Ruby Shamir, researcher extraordinaire. Her ability to turn out user-friendly and yet sophisticated material on a wide range of inquiries was breathtaking. Ruby, I cannot thank you enough.
As always, Steve Capus, president of NBC News, and my other colleagues were curious, encouraging, and helpful, particularly my indefatigable assistant, Mary Casalino. Sylvie Haller, Clare Duffy, M. L. Flynn, and others involved in the production of NBC News’ Education Nation series were especially important in framing the education chapters.
At home, I relied heavily on the cool efficiency of Geri Jansen to keep my personal life on track as I worked my way through this journey. In Montana, I had help from Luke Highley, Catherine McClanahan, Doug Campbell, Max Demars, and others.
This is my sixth book for Random House and none would have happened without the expert guidance, cheering on, and personal loyalty of the great Kate Medina. Kate’s unerring compass and friendly persistence kept me on track throughout. No message from her failed to lift my spirits.
Others at Random House without whom I would have faltered include Gina Centrello, Tom Perry, Benjamin Dreyer, Evan Camfield, Paolo Pepe, Carole Lowenstein, Theresa Zoro, Sally Marvin, Barbara Fillon, Karen Fink, Sanyu Dillon, Avideh Bashirrad, Erika Greber, Lindsey Schwoeri, Anna Pitoniak, and Rebecca Pomerantz.
Finally, and especially since this book is a deeply personal statement, I am, more than ever, in awe of the strengths, judgments, and capacity for love of my family. Meredith, my lifemate and irreplaceable lodestar. Jennifer and Allen, Andrea and Charles, Sarah—they all know exactly how to deal with Dad. They’re fearless in their advice and unconditional in their love.
Finally, to the grandchildren. Claire, Meredith, Vivian, and Charlotte: This is for you, and I hope it will give you a fraction of the meaning you’ve added to my life.
PERMISSIONS AND CREDITS
Grateful acknowledgment is made to Alfred Music Publishing Co., Inc. for permission to reprint an excerpt from “It Was a Very Good Year,” words and music by Ervin Drake, copyright © 1961 (renewed) by Lindabet Music Corp. All rights administered by The Songwriter’s Guild of America. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Alfred Music Publishing Co., Inc.
Photographs:
(Photo Credit prf.1): © Audrey Hall
(Photo Credit 3.1): © Jimmy Clemons
(Photo Credit 3.3): Courtesy of Denise Garison
(Photo Credit 3.4): NBC Universal Photo Bank
(Photo Credit 6.1): Courtesy of the author
(Photo Credit 7.1): NBC Universal Archives
(Photo Credit 8.1): NBC Universal Photo Bank
(Photo Credit 8.2): Courtesy of Doug Tompkins
(Photo Credit 8.3): Courtesy of Make It Right
(Photo Credit 11.1): Courtesy of Celia Miner
(Photo Credit 11.2): NBC Universal Photo Bank
(Photo Credit 11.3): NBC Universal Photo Bank
(Photo Credit 16.1): Associated Press
(Photo Credit 17.1): Courtesy of the author
(Photo Credit 18.1): Courtesy of the author
(Photo Credit 18.2): Courtesy of the Brokaw family
(Photo Credit 18.3): Courtesy of the Brokaw family
ALSO BY TOM BROKAW
Boom!
A Long Way from Home
An Album of Memories
The Greatest Generation Speaks
The Greatest Generation
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOM BROKAW is the author of five bestsellers: The Greatest Generation, The Greatest Generation Speaks, An Album of Memories, A Long Way from Home, and Boom! 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. He continues to report for NBC News, producing award-winning long-form documentaries and providing expertise during breaking news events. Brokaw has won every major award in broadcast journalism, including two DuPonts, a Peabody, and several Emmys. He is a regular contributor to the op-ed pages of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, and to Time, Newsweek, and Men’s Journal. He lives in New York and Montana.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Preface
PART ONE
Getting the Fundamentals Right
CHAPTER 1 Generations
CHAPTER 2 One Nation, Indivisible
CHAPTER 3 K Through Twelve and the Hazards Along the Way
CHAPTER 4 Old School Ties and New World Requirements
CHAPTER 5 Don’t Know Much About Geometry
CHAPTER 6 Church of Thrift
CHAPTER 7 Survivors
CHAPTER 8 House Broken
PART TWO
Assignment America
CHAPTER 9 Uncle Sam Needs Us
CHAPTER 10 The United States Academy of Public Service
PART THREE
Help Me Make It Through This New Dot-Com Age
CHAPTER 12 Wire the World but Don’t Short-Circuit Your Soul
CHAPTER 13 Everyone’s a Journalist
CHAPTER 14 Partners
PART FOUR
What Now, Grandma and Grandpa?
CHAPTER 15 Balancing the Book of Life
CHAPTER 16 Failure Is an Option
CHAPTER 17 The Grandparent Lode
CHAPTER 18 September of My Years
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Permissions and Credits
Other Books by This Author
About the Author
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