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meriwynnlalectora's review against another edition
4.0
I’m currently doing research for a book project I’m working on, which is how I came across Over the Top. Arthur Guy Empey’s book is a fascinating first-person account of life as a soldier during WW1.
Empey, an American, was so outraged by German impunity at the sinking of the Luisitania and other goings on that he made the decision to go to England and enlist in the British army before the U.S. became involved in the war. This book was instrumental as a propaganda tool to persuade men in the U.S. to enlist.
The descriptions of trench life and battle are graphic, awful and cinematic and Empey has a wry sense of humor throughout, which I imagine many soldiers used to keep themselves going completely bonkers during the madness of war. Of course, many of those who survived did come home with psychic and physical wounds.
It’s not surprising that this book launched Empey’s career as a screenplay writer as well, and this book was made into a movie.
If you’re interested in WW1 I highly recommend this book.
Empey, an American, was so outraged by German impunity at the sinking of the Luisitania and other goings on that he made the decision to go to England and enlist in the British army before the U.S. became involved in the war. This book was instrumental as a propaganda tool to persuade men in the U.S. to enlist.
The descriptions of trench life and battle are graphic, awful and cinematic and Empey has a wry sense of humor throughout, which I imagine many soldiers used to keep themselves going completely bonkers during the madness of war. Of course, many of those who survived did come home with psychic and physical wounds.
It’s not surprising that this book launched Empey’s career as a screenplay writer as well, and this book was made into a movie.
If you’re interested in WW1 I highly recommend this book.
historyh22's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this one. Empey certainly didn’t spare the horrors of trench life despite it being propagandic at times. The trench dictionary at the end was an absolutely gem too.
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