Growing Up X: A Memoir of a Forgotten Generation

Squeezed between the Boomers who snagged the good jobs and the Millennials who got the participation trophies, Generation X has always been the "forgotten" middle child of history.In this authentic and unpolished memoir, David R. Broadie takes you back to the heart of the 1970s and 80s—an era defined by latchkey independence, the smell of mixtapes, and the quiet understanding that the world wasn't going to hand you anything. From a small-town Iowa playground where pickup basketball teams were divided by "intact" vs. "divorced" families, Broadie explores the grit and sarcasm forged in a generation that grew up mostly analog.What’s Inside:The Defining Moments: Relive the high-stakes tension of the Cold War, the national euphoria of the "Miracle on Ice," and the shattering tragedy of the Challenger disaster.The Cultural Revolution: From the neon explosion of MTV and the synth-heavy riffs of Van Halen to the raw, flannel-clad angst of Nirvana, see how the soundtrack of a generation evolved.Political Shifts: Witness the rise of Reagan’s "Morning in America," the "giant sucking sound" of Ross Perot’s warnings, and the digital transition from dial-up screeches to the dot-com bubble.A Personal Journey: Follow one man’s path through sports triumphs with the Redskins, the heartbreak of the farm crisis, and the profound realization that family—and grandparents—are the glue that holds the map together.Why It Matters NowWe are the generation that bridged the gap between the rotary phone and the smartphone. Growing Up X isn't just about "back in my day" nostalgia; it’s about remembering the independence, self-reliance, and resilience that shaped us—so we don't lose those values in an increasingly digital, polarized world.Pull up a chair, grab a cold one, and go back to the arcades and the Friday night lights. This is the real story of Gen X. No turning back now. Read more