Duty: A Father, His Son, and the Man Who Won the War

What an insightful and entertaining description of the author's search to understand his father's generation, their successful service in World War II, and things that he never explored with his father during his father's lifetime; by exploring those issues, and more, with Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the plane that dropped the first atom bomb on Hiroshima using interviews and shared time together. Greene's effort results in an outstanding profile of the "Greatest Generation", how they left a rural culture to return to the US after the war with change changing as there was broad social and economic change in the post war era. He explains how we changed as a country and a people, and shows why the war was won by the commitment to values that were taken with the soldiers as they took up their roles in the war and leaving a simple life that they enjoyed pre-war, even though the country remained in a depression until wartime rules and activity overcame it . This tomb makes a significant contribution to anyone's understanding of the evolution of America from 1930's to the present and is a very enjoyable read.

If you’re in to history, or curious about some of the men who flew the WWII Mission to Hiroshima, this book is wonderful. Additionally, the Author writes of the illness and eventual death of his father, also a WWII Veteran. The reader can’t help but relate to the loss of a parent, and the insights gained along the way. Personally, I loved hearing from General Tibet’s, Jr, as well as from Thomas Ferebee, (the bombardier), and also ‘Dutch’ Van Kirk, the Navigator (remember, no computers back then! The Navigator took readings from the stars if it was dark -which it was, the first few hours of the flight- once the sun was up, he used maps or reconnaissance photos to navigate their way). All in all, an eye-opening read!

This is a very interesting book about the man who piloted the plane that bombed Hiroshima. The author got to know Paul Tibbets through interviews and spending a lot of time with him. The author also gains an understanding of his own father through getting to know Tibbets and what they went through during the war.

This was a very compelling story written in Bob Green's journalistic and factual style; reads like a novel but is in fact a true and fascinating account of a sensitive subject. I'm a "Boomer" who thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Bob Greene takes us by the hand, ever so gently, and forces us to explore many points in the lives of our parents' generation-- from the good-time pre-War days, through the long, drawn-out conflict itself, to the prosperous post-War years of our own birth and coming-of-age, and now to the final chapter of our parents' lives. He leads us on this expedition while sharing some of his innermost feelings & fears (which are often 100% in sync with our own) on each step of the journey. Interwoven in the account of his own family's life (parts of which we already know, as faithful Greene readers since the 1970s), he tells us the story of Paul Tibbets, the man who commanded the crew that dropped the first atomic bomb, which ultimately brought World War II to a close. Tibbets lived for many years in the same small Ohio town as Greene's family, but like so many other GIs, he was unknown to all but a few of his own generation. In meeting Tibbets and recording his thoughts and observations, Greene learned a great deal more about his own father and the World War II generation in general. This and more, he shares with us in poignant detail. Not lost in all of this is the story of a man, his life's work complete, taking his leave of this earth slowly. Greene records many moments--both sad & touching at the same time--of his father's final weeks. To those of us who have already lived this chapter of life with our own family members, or may be facing it all too soon, it is a common-sense road map of just how one family managed to respond. You can almost see the elder Mr. Greene smiling down his approval on all that has been said in this book.

Remarkable insight into the reality of WWII. The incident that has touched so many of our lives. I am amazed at the number of my friends whose lives are directly affected by this act of Duty. The courage and dedication of those who did their Duty in the darkest of times. Also, a great story of relationships in an American family. I give copies of this book to my relatives and friends. A good companion read to this is "Enola Gay", General Tibbets own story of his life and career. A great American hero!

I had the honor of meeting with then General Tibbets, with two grandsons, a couple of years before his death. One of those grandsons told be about this book by Bob Greene and thought I would like reading the book Duty. I couldn't put it down and have had several others read it and they felt the same way. Most of the ones I loaned the book to were older and greatly enjoyed the book, but I was most happy that my 30 year old Grandson was as appreciative of the great mission of Colonel Tibbets and his great crew of the Enola Gay as we were. My hope is that the Grandson will be able to pass on the truth of the mission to his children so some will know the truth before it is lost to the ages. THANK YOU PRESIDENT TRUMAN - GREAT DECISION. and THANK YOU COLONEL TIBBETS - GREAT MISSION!!!!!

Really liked this book. I decided to check it out because I read other Bob Greene books and was glad that I read this. Tells the story of the man who dropped the bomb on Japan that helped end World War 2.

戦死する任務でも、作戦結果がどうなっても任務の遂行が軍人の責務で、警察官や消防士も任務のために殉職します。原爆投下は最終命令を下したトルーマンの責任でパイロットの責任とは考えられません（間違いなくジェノサイドfですが、彼が任務放棄しても次のパイロットは存在します）。それに彼はアメリカで英雄としての扱い、同じぐらいの非難を受け、自責の念がなかったとは思えません。ちなみに、3発目の原爆を落とすはずだったパイロットだったクロード・イーザリーの方がよっぽど狂気に満ちています。