All Quiet on the Western Front in Classics Without All the Class

Mar 04, 2008 Ryan rated it really liked it

I like this book because it is easy to read but the language is not boring like many books. It is very descriptive and paints a picture of the horrors of war. I also liked that it was told by a German narrator. Different perspectives are always interesting when it comes to war.

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Apr 23, 2009 Beth rated it really liked it

This was short but brilliantly written. It really shows you what German soldiers also went through. At one point, the main character states that wars are started by old men and fought by young men with no choice.

I read this in the fall of 1977, in my Western Civilizations clas sin college. I re-read it a few years ago. It was interesting: it fore-shadowed the second world war well. For instance, one point that came out was that whenever somebody was put in a position of power, he abused it and ...more

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Sep 13, 2011 Ben rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned-calibre

Summary: A thought-provoking story about war and life and how the two don't really mix that well. I'd say that anyone who's ever thinking of starting a war should be forced to read this book first.

Things I liked:

Structure/pace:

The first part of the book creates context with some characters and stories and the second part kind of goes more reflective and thought-provoky. The stories and short and punch and move quickly from one to the other.

Thought provokiness:

This book made me feel/think ab ...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Kristi Krumnow rated it really liked it

Shelves: classic-lit, starting-anew, audiobook, the-great-war, 20th-century, wwi

The daily boredom, the fighting of the unknown, the periodic returns to family life, the emotional contrast in being paraded around as a hero whilst feeling gloom at having watched the death of friends suggests a terror unknown by many. The final ruminations about the future generations of those who experienced war first hand is prophetic. It is no wonder this book was banned by the Nazis. Thus, we must read it.

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