Big Books of 2026
Johnny Got His Gun

Questions About Johnny Got His Gun

by Dalton Trumbo

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Johnny Got His Gun, please sign up.

Answered Questions (5)

What is this guys point? That it is best not to have war? Well, thank you for that insightful opinion. I think we all agree on that point. Just like mot sane people know that you aren't going to have Democracy, freedom, or prosperity without putting boots on foreign soil when you need to do it. ISIS is kind of a good example. They are certainly not at all horrified by violence, which kind of makes Trumbo's point moot
Seth What is your point? That war is necessary to defend economic interests abroad? Thank you for that insightful opinion.
flag
Has anyone else compared this to "All's Quiet on the Western Front?"
Dana DesJardins That was my first thought. It's not just that the two books reflect on the same war. It's perhaps the juxtaposition of hope with hopelessness, and the…moreThat was my first thought. It's not just that the two books reflect on the same war. It's perhaps the juxtaposition of hope with hopelessness, and the condemnation by young men whose lives are destroyed of their elders. Kipling supposedly wrote as his son's epitaph after he was killed in the Great War, "And when they ask you why we died,/ Tell them that our fathers lied." The ending of both books is so painful that one wonders if leaders who advocate violence ever read either of them.(less)
flag
Anyone read this book after listening to Metallica?
Paul Larke I first found out about this book through listening to Metallica.
flag
This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Kate Esther
This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)
flag
There are lots of mentions in the book (and film) about the war being a fight for 'democracy' - but is that really what Americans felt they were fighting for in WW1? That was their chief aim? Slightly confused by that - seems a strange one to sacrifice so many soldiers for.
FromBoxToBattle Imagine if you will, as an American of that time, you've watched an unending massive conflict in Europe for over 3 years. You've been fed a large diet…moreImagine if you will, as an American of that time, you've watched an unending massive conflict in Europe for over 3 years. You've been fed a large diet of anti-German propaganda (by allies in Europe trying to motivate your nation to go to war and by pro-war domestic elements at home as well). Then the Lusitania is sunk and to you the war is now right off your shores. It is here! Yes, public opinion was of defending America, defeating "the barbaric Hun", and making Western Europe safe for democracy. You bring up an interesting point in that America, more so than many of the initial combatant nations who had never seen what the current horrors of warfare of the time would be, knows much more fully the cost of what this conflict is as she enters into it. At a higher level the Zimmermann telegram is really the final straw that pushes American leadership to realize they are going to have to fight Germany one way or the other. And to them it looked like they better start fighting Germany sooner rather than later. When I am asked why America entered WWI I answer with "the Zimmermann telegram". The trivia question answer will probably state "unrestricted submarine warfare". Keep asking good questions and seeking answers. (thumbs up)

Edit: One more final thought on this. I actually cannot think of a war America has entered in where "defending Democracy" isn't one of the chief motivating reasons given by Americans volunteering to fight.(less)
flag

Unanswered Questions (1)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more