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iamjudgedredd's review against another edition
4.0
Lots to consider here. This WWI Memoir is considered something of a classic within that realm. This edition has some good introductions and discussions about the translation and revisions that have been made over the years. This edition also has a few footnotes which help to explain some parts where the author leaves things out, or through the changes have become less clear.
Firstly, this translator has German as a first language, so the translation itself is probably more faithful to Juenger's intent, however the syntax and grammar are hilariously German still. Lots of very compound sentences that we wouldn't construct in English in that way. I found myself having to reread some sentences because there'd be multiple layers of subordinate clauses and remembering how the end of the sentence fitted with the beginning could be a struggle. It felt a little like reading Thomas Pynchon at times.
All that being said, there's a lot of great first hand action in the book. Indeed, I was staggered at how much of the book is combat related. If that's what you're looking for then this is indeed the book to read.
Even in this more modern, and (apparently) sanitized version, you can feel the nationalism, militarism, pride, and hero worship of the 'old empires' in this. Juenger is a proud military officer, from a class above the common man. It's a stark contrast to something like With the Old Breed from E B Sledge.
Most of that was fine, as I was expecting it, but there were times where it was hard to sympathize, especially as he valued an honourable death over surrender - urging men to fight to the last instead of preserve their lives in mortal circumstances.
All in all, the read was fast, fast paced, and if you bring your wider contextual knowledge to it (economic circumstances of the Central Powers, Blockades, Entente movements and politicking) it's a great book to sit at the tactical level and get an insight into trench warfare.
Firstly, this translator has German as a first language, so the translation itself is probably more faithful to Juenger's intent, however the syntax and grammar are hilariously German still. Lots of very compound sentences that we wouldn't construct in English in that way. I found myself having to reread some sentences because there'd be multiple layers of subordinate clauses and remembering how the end of the sentence fitted with the beginning could be a struggle. It felt a little like reading Thomas Pynchon at times.
All that being said, there's a lot of great first hand action in the book. Indeed, I was staggered at how much of the book is combat related. If that's what you're looking for then this is indeed the book to read.
Even in this more modern, and (apparently) sanitized version, you can feel the nationalism, militarism, pride, and hero worship of the 'old empires' in this. Juenger is a proud military officer, from a class above the common man. It's a stark contrast to something like With the Old Breed from E B Sledge.
Most of that was fine, as I was expecting it, but there were times where it was hard to sympathize, especially as he valued an honourable death over surrender - urging men to fight to the last instead of preserve their lives in mortal circumstances.
All in all, the read was fast, fast paced, and if you bring your wider contextual knowledge to it (economic circumstances of the Central Powers, Blockades, Entente movements and politicking) it's a great book to sit at the tactical level and get an insight into trench warfare.
liberrydude's review
3.0
I’d not heard of this memoir. I found it hard going at times and a chore to finish. However, it’s still worth the read as Jünger has some great observations about life and fighting that resonate. Orders are orders but not always. He quickly distinguished himself by his daring and leadership. As one who thought he was going to die at least several times his writing is pure and authentic.
I was pretty much in awe of his sangfroid on steroids- sunbathing while being shelled. His descriptions of maddening shelling are matter of fact. Four years in trenches. Enlisted to officer. Wounded eleven times. More lives than a cat. Lucky. How can you not be a bullet magnet through four years on the front lines in the trenches? Maybe it should be called Balls of Steel.
He was one of only eleven infantryman to be awarded the Pour le Mérite. He lost his Iron Cross while assaulting a position and under fire he and his batman calmly searched for it.
One of the surprising takeaways was his description of life in occupied France. It was from his perspective a very friendly occupation. He would be quartered in a French family’s home and enjoy their company. Of course I’m sure the French had a very different take.
To improve the reading experience there need to be footnotes from a professional military historian explaining Jünger’s company grade experience in terms of the big strategic picture. Maps need to be included. An appendix with a chronology of units and battles as well as a list of medals and decorations earned by Jünger would be beneficial too.
It’s sad that everyone knows about the fictional “All Quiet on the Western Front” but few know of this factual memoir. Everyone talks about PTSD these days and considering the carnage Jünger witnessed one wouldn’t be surprised if he had turned inward. But he lived to the age of 102 and had a fascinating and stimulating life.
I was pretty much in awe of his sangfroid on steroids- sunbathing while being shelled. His descriptions of maddening shelling are matter of fact. Four years in trenches. Enlisted to officer. Wounded eleven times. More lives than a cat. Lucky. How can you not be a bullet magnet through four years on the front lines in the trenches? Maybe it should be called Balls of Steel.
He was one of only eleven infantryman to be awarded the Pour le Mérite. He lost his Iron Cross while assaulting a position and under fire he and his batman calmly searched for it.
One of the surprising takeaways was his description of life in occupied France. It was from his perspective a very friendly occupation. He would be quartered in a French family’s home and enjoy their company. Of course I’m sure the French had a very different take.
To improve the reading experience there need to be footnotes from a professional military historian explaining Jünger’s company grade experience in terms of the big strategic picture. Maps need to be included. An appendix with a chronology of units and battles as well as a list of medals and decorations earned by Jünger would be beneficial too.
It’s sad that everyone knows about the fictional “All Quiet on the Western Front” but few know of this factual memoir. Everyone talks about PTSD these days and considering the carnage Jünger witnessed one wouldn’t be surprised if he had turned inward. But he lived to the age of 102 and had a fascinating and stimulating life.
wardawg69's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
One of the most amazing accounts of warfare I have ever read. Read this book!
steelcitygator's review against another edition
5.0
A unique look at the WW1 soldiers experience. To begin with, it is refreshing to have the most famous memoir of the war be German as we don’t have enough English translations of the non-English story of the war (German, French, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, Italian, etc). So this is as important for those reasons as any other. It is unique to see Junger’s view. He doesn’t diminish the horrors he feels, see’s, experiences but it’s different from many of the other famous voices of war memoir. Some tell you “I am gassed” but Junger conveys the feeling of being gassed, of the grimness of others death, of what the bullets flying and overpowering drone of shells does to a person and in that is where the real special elements of Jungers recollections come about.
Maybe it is the officers view, being necessarily different to a degree even if much of the horror is shared, and it’s a difference in mentality Junger himself often touches on this divide. But that does not explain all of the difference. It is so interesting in Junger’s view of war. Someone who enjoys it much more than what you see in other works of this sort. Reading it back-to-back with [All Quiet on the Western Front] gives you that dichotomy in what may be a pretty extreme form. Not to say Junger loves the war, he often despises his time in the trenches, but it is a truthful reflection on how you can hate that part of war and yet still have a view of soldiering that is not solely of the negative.
It makes this very unique in that way. And this is part of the reason I recommend and got the original 1929 translation. I think seeing Junger’s views on not just the war and violence but what it meant on his views of German nationalism and similar topics in the oldest inter-war versions of this. I know there are criticism of the translation and hope a more modern translation of these older versions comes about one day. But in the meantime, read this book, it gives a view into the experience of both the Great War and the modern soldiers experience more generally.
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay.
I found that Ernst removed any "thoughts" of the war from this book.
It was just an "as it happened" account of war.
War is terrible, war is nasty, war is deadly, war is scary. This book (in my opinion) was devoid of a commentary of war, but just a set of occurrences.
I would much sooner recommend (the book I much preferred) [b:All Quiet on the Western Front|355697|All Quiet on the Western Front|Erich Maria Remarque|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1632027397l/355697._SY75_.jpg|2662852] instead.
2.9/5
I found that Ernst removed any "thoughts" of the war from this book.
It was just an "as it happened" account of war.
War is terrible, war is nasty, war is deadly, war is scary. This book (in my opinion) was devoid of a commentary of war, but just a set of occurrences.
I would much sooner recommend (the book I much preferred) [b:All Quiet on the Western Front|355697|All Quiet on the Western Front|Erich Maria Remarque|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1632027397l/355697._SY75_.jpg|2662852] instead.
2.9/5
imthechillalex's review against another edition
3.0
Regardless of Junger’s questionable ideology and his clear obsession of honor, this is a fascinating primary text that juxtaposes long verisimilitude riden diatribes about war technology and strategy (not interesting) with moments that Junger describes with a laconic deadpan or are often darkly funny (interesting). It’s an interesting dichotomy that lends to a read that, again, I found fascinating but not totally a fav of mine.
josephbdoner's review against another edition
4.0
A relatively sparse yet revealing account of World War 1 from the point of view of a young German soldier. Junger's perspective seems distant in some ways, he seems to be largely unafraid at the dangers he faces, feeling more annoyance than fear at the horrendous conditions and tasks he is faced with. Despite this however he still manages to communicate powerful emotions at moments of loss, victory, or fear on the parts of his companions or unit as a whole. Junger's prose is fairly simple and direct, very easy to get through in a day or less if you are so inclined.