56 pages • 1 hour read
Studs Terkel“The Good War”: An Oral History of World War II
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1984A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read 
Beta
Summary
Introduction
Book 1, Section 1
Book 1, Section 2
Book 1, Section 3
Book 1, Section 4
Book 1, Section 5
Book 1, Section 6
Book 1, Section 7
Book 2, Section 1
Book 2, Section 2
Book 2, Section 3
Book 2, Section 4
Book 2, Section 5
Book 3, Section 1
Book 3, Section 2
Book 3, Section 3
Book 3, Section 4
Book 4, Section 1
Book 4, Section 2
Book 4, Section 3
Book 4, Section 4
Book 4, Section 5
Book 4, Section 6
Epilogue
Key Figures
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Tools Beta
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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 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.