Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger (2014 Reading Challenge)

[Nigeyb]

BYT 2014 Reading Challenge: World War 1 Centenary


2014 will mark 100 years since the start of the First World War. Here at BYT we plan to mark the war and its consequences by reading 12 books that should give anyone who reads them a better understanding of the First World War.

The First World War was a turning point in world history. It claimed the lives of over 16 million people across the globe and had a huge impact on those who experienced it. The war and its consequences shaped much of the twentieth century, and the impact of it can still be felt today.

The BYT 2014 Reading Challenge will be our way of helping to remember those who lived, fought and served during the years 1914-18.

There's a thread for each of the 12 books.

Welcome to the thread for...



Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger
(Category: Memoir Central Powers)

You can read the books in any order. Whilst you're reading them, or after you've finished, come and share your thoughts and feelings, ask questions, and generally get involved. The more we all participate, the richer and more fulfilling the discussions will be for us all. Here's to a stimulating, informative, and enjoyable BYT 2014 Reading Challenge.

[Val]

This is my first book for the Challenge (not counting those I have read before) and the thing that strikes me most is how pragmatic Ernst Jünger is about his role as a soldier. He describes what he does and what happens in some considerable detail, he understands that he could easily be killed, but does not say much regarding how he feels about it all.

[Nigeyb]

^ Thanks Val. I'm really pleased you've started reading this, as I should be reading it myself in the next few weeks and I always enjoy your thoughts and insights. I think I'd picked up somewhere that Ernst Jünger had quite a good time during WW1. I know it sounds bizarre and I may have misremembered. I'll see soon enough.

[Val]

I wouldn't say he was having a good time so far.

[Nigeyb]

^ Ah! I may well be confused (it would not be the first time). I'm really looking forward to reading this.

[Nigeyb]

I started this last night. I'm about 50 pages in.


Interesting to note, in the introduction, how many times Ernst Jünger rewrote this book over the years. Also how (admittedly according to the translator Michael Hofmann) this translation is far closer to Ernst Jünger's actual words and intention.

I think this book really captures the day to day reality of trench life. And, again as also noted in the introduction, is without any real sentiment. Ernst Jünger is generally viewing this from the perspective of a soldier - not questioning just getting on with what he was there to do.

More when I get further into the book.

[Nigeyb]

The more I read (over halfway now) the more I am amazed by Jünger's matter-of-factness. Although all written in the first person everything is at one remove.

Jünger certainly doesn't hold back on some fairly graphic descriptions of injuries and violence.

However, what we rarely get is any emotion. He finds it "annoying" when a colleague, who is messing around with his pistol, almost kills him inadvertently.

He actually appears to be at his most emotional after a battle when he is smoking a pipe or having a drink afterwards. I find it all a little odd that he is so incredibly detached and professional - still it confirms all those hoary old cliches about the ruthless efficiency of the Germans.

I would also add it's a great choice for the challenge as, along with Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves, it really brings home the day-to-day reality of front line soldiers.

[Nigeyb]

Finished! Here's my review....


Ernst Jünger's account of his years fighting as a German soldier on the Western Front during World War One is one of the most graphic I have ever read in terms of descriptions of injuries and violence. That said, much of a soldier's life is routine and boring, and Jünger covers this aspect too.

I was surprised by Jünger's matter-of-factness. Although the book is all written in the first person it all feels at one remove. Jünger is a consummate professional, accepting everything that comes his way. Even when learning that his brother lies injured nearby he acknowledges some distress but, having done what he can, returns to the fray with barely a pause.

Jünger's sense of detachment meant the narrative was less involving, despite the visceral nature of much of what Jünger describes, and as such it is a far less successful memoir than, say, "Goodbye to All That" by Robert Graves in which I felt I got to know and understand the person as well as the soldier. That said, anyone seeking to gain an insight into the experience of a front line soldier during World War One will do well to find a better account.

3/5

[Amy]

Excellent Nigey. I first read this in university and from an academic standpoint, it was an almost scientific run down of the life of a soldier. From life in the trenches to the time spent behind the lines. While you mention that the lack of feeling leaves the reader wanting, it does allow you to get a sense of the events without the emotional entanglements. I like that it was from a straight forward German view point, which allows you to compare this experience to the many allied accounts, and see how similar they were.

[Judy]

I've just started this - must say I wasn't very impressed by Michael Hofmann's introduction, where he spends a long time ridiculing the previous translation by Basil Creighton, but then I've been put off Hofmann by his piece about Stefan Zweig. I also don't really like the way Hofmann writes, as he often seems rather obscure in the way he phrases things.

So I immediately wondered if I'd be better reading the Creighton version, but it was based on a much earlier version of the text, so I'll stick with this one!

Something I did find interesting in the introduction was the account of Jünger's long life and the way he rewrote the book over the years, as Nigeyb also mentioned.

[Nigeyb]

^ Alas I can offer no insights into the different translations however my pal, the one who tends the grave of Victor Richardson, and who is quite well informed and well read on all things WW1, thinks this is the finest of the soldier memoirs. I must ask him to expand on this point - if I gain any useful insights I shall let you know.

[Judy]

Thanks, Nigeyb. I'll stick with this translation but wonder if I will find it a bit of a struggle - might be one to read in bits and pieces.

[Val]

The copy I read was a 1941 library book from Hampshire's county store. It does not say who the translator was in the description and I did not make a note of it when I had the copy in front of me, but it may have been an earlier version than the Hofmann you are reading.

[Pink]

I've had this borrowed from the library for 3 weeks and it's due back on Monday. If at all possible I'll try to start and finish this tomorrow. I have no idea which translation I'm reading, but the introduction is by Paddy Griffith.

[Judy]

Wow, Pink, setting yourself quite a tough task there. I've got a bit more into it now, but it is going to take me a while.

Val, I think the copy you read must have been the earlier Creighton version - what did you think of it?

[Val]

Judy: I found it moving, but at the same time very pragmatic.
I assumed that the style was Ernst Jünger's, but it may have been the translator's, at least in part.

Pink: You should be able to read enough to know whether you want to renew it, even if you can't read all of it.

[Pink]

I've read about 100 pages so far and I quite like it. The writing is very good and I like how matter of fact it is, but it has been a little boring in places, thought I don't feel that's the right word to describe an account of WW1 trench life.

It's due back today and I can't renew it, as it's reserved for somebody else, but I might be naughty and keep it for a couple more days and just pay the fine!

[Judy]

Pink, did you finish this in the end? I've finished it now - I found it took me a long time to get through because it was hard to read more than a little at a time, as the accounts of trench warfare were so relentless. I thought the account of the great battle towards the end, where Jünger went over the top, was powerful stuff, but there are some earlier sections where it all gets rather repetitive - as I'm sure living through one battle after another must have been.

I agree with Nigeyb, Amy and Val's comments that the style is very pragmatic/matter-of-fact and there is little emotion. It comes as a shock where at one point, late on, he writes that he lay on the ground and wept hysterically, because up to that point he has seemed indomitable, surviving so many terrible experiences and bottling everything up.

I found it less involving than other war memoirs such as 'Goodbye to All That' because Jünger seems to keep the reader at more of a distance - for instance, we never learn anything about most of the comrades he mentions as they are wounded and die around him, apart from their names. But I'm still glad to have read it.

[Judy]

PS, in fairness to Michael Hofmann, I must say that, even though I didn't like his introduction much, I found his translation very readable - terse and understated, as I'm sure the original must be.

[Pink]

Judy, I just finished it this week. I had to return to the library and so had a couple of weeks break, then borrowed it again. I found it quite a long slog and monotonous at times, describing battles and camp life in a very matter of fact way. I can't remember who translated my copy, but I thought it worked well overall.

I haven't read Goodbye to all That yet, I'll probably leave this one until next year now.

[Judy]

Sounds as if our reactions were fairly similar, Pink - thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm hoping to carry on reading WWI books next year too.