Authors: Tom Brokaw

The Time of Our Lives (32 page)

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 3.2)
: © G.L. Lewis Photography

(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

T
OM
B
ROKAW
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.