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Historian E. Ambrose has published numerous books on World War II since 1990, and journalist Tom Brokaw's 1998 bestseller The Greatest Generation provided a catchy moniker for those who waged the war. WWII, it seems, has never been more popular. What factors have made it such a powerful popular culture phenomenon?

'Sense of Unsolved Mystery'

Popular interest in WWII is nothing new. Hundreds of films have been made about the war. For example, John Wayne starred in more than a dozen WWII movies, most of which have been criticized for their unrealistic portrayals of war but which extolled virtues such as courage, determination and patriotism.

Hollywood has produced numerous battle features, such as The Longest Day (1962), Tara, Tora, Tora (1970) and A Bridge Too Far (1977). Before 1990, four WWII films received the Academy Award for best picture: The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), From Here to Eternity (1953), The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and Patton (1970).

One reason for...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



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