This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.Paul Baumer. He could have been John Smith were he born 7,000, 8,000 miles away in Kansas. That's the impression I was left with when I closed this book.
I wish that I could write a review that gave this book the justice deserved, that it commanded from me to know what humanity was wasted during the Great War ("Great" only for it should have ended all war).
We follow Baumer through school and bootcamp, into the front as fresh as a virgin, racked with nationalist ideals knowing he was serving his cPaul Baumer. He could have been John Smith were he born 7,000, 8,000 miles away in Kansas. That's the impression I was left with when I closed this book.
I wish that I could write a review that gave this book the justice deserved, that it commanded from me to know what humanity was wasted during the Great War ("Great" only for it should have ended all war).
We follow Baumer through school and bootcamp, into the front as fresh as a virgin, racked with nationalist ideals knowing he was serving his country while they waved flags (parallels are EASILY drawn). One night traveling to the front in a Lori, ducking wires and later shell fragments, this replacement company sees the reality of war is far different from waving that flag.
When Paul returns home his father takes him to show off his "soldier-boy". They all ask about the front, which Paul reluctantly admits German faults. The old men pass him off as not realizing the further reaches of the line, for he is just in a company. To me this part is pivotal; though it is the old who wage war to move a border or set a dynasty, it is the youth who must wage it, and as we find throughout this work, anonymously fall face first in the muck.
I know this review isn't great, it might read to you like a 5th grade book report. But if there is one book I wish were necessary to read in order to live... you better believe this is the book....more
