logo

56 pages 1 hour read

Studs Terkel

“The Good War”: An Oral History of World War II

Studs TerkelNonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1984

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Studs Terkel

The Good War

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1984
Book Details
Pages

608

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

World War II

Theme
Publication Year

1984

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Good War by Studs Terkel is an oral history of World War II that compiles the experiences of a diverse range of individuals, including military personnel and civilians from various national, racial, class, and gender backgrounds. The book challenges the conventional notion of World War II as "the good war" by presenting its devastating impacts and subsequent global tensions, such as the Cold War and the Vietnam War. The book discusses topics of extreme violence, trauma, and atrocities.

Informative

Contemplative

Emotional

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.4

5,483 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Good War by Studs Terkel offers a compelling oral history of World War II, capturing diverse perspectives from soldiers to civilians. Reviewers praise the book's depth and emotional resonance, although some critique its sprawling structure and narrative inconsistency. Despite these, it's lauded for providing a multifaceted view of the war's impact.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Good War?

A reader who would enjoy The Good War by Studs Terkel is likely interested in oral histories, personal narratives, and the multifaceted experiences of World War II. Comparable readers might appreciate Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose and Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand for their compelling and firsthand wartime accounts.

4.4

5,483 ratings

84%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

608

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

World War II

Theme
Publication Year

1984

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.