All Quiet on the Western Front

This is not the classic novel, it is a cheap and highly truncated "retelling" by some other author. As are all the other books in this laughably-titled "Real Reads" line. AVOID. And shame on you for not making this clearer in the bibliographic data of this listing.

This book has always been on my list to read and I've eventually got around to reading it. It is hard-hitting, graphic description of life for German soldiers in the First World War. Although it focuses on a group of German soldiers, it shows how soldiers on both sides suffered similar deprivations and pain. The author himself starts the book with "This book is to be neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure .... it will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped the shells, were destroyed by the war." Remarque portrays the psychological impact of the war and how it destroys the men, leaving them feeling empty and unsure of what daily life should really be like. Although the book is set in the First World War, its messages are relevant to all conflicts. The book was seen as so powerful by the Nazis that they banned the book and burnt copies.I liked this small hardcover edition of the book. It fitted easily into my pocket so I was able to read it on my commute. The gold leaf pages made it an attractive addition to my bookshelf.

As I was getting deeper and deeper into this classic novel, I forgot the narrator was German. I was in actual tears at several points - particularly during the description of the gut-wrenching cries from horses in agony. The phrase "man's inhumanity to man" kept coming to the forefront of my mind, despite it's being such a cliché.Forget jingoism, forget "patriotism", read this (or get the excellent audiobook version) and remember the absolute and total futility of war. A million men died at the Somme - roughly equal numbers on each side - and for what? But that's enough of a history lesson for now. Just read the book, and have some tissues ready.

Was looking for a translation of the original text, upon receipt have found this an adapted version for children. This was not apparent from the written product descirption and is only noted in the easily missed summary box where reading age is given as 9-11 years. Will donate to my local library but highly doubt this will he a cheery read for a child!

This novel is over 70 years old, but its message is as clear today as it ever was - war is futile, wasteful, brutal and unneccessary. It is a beautifully evocative message from 'the enemy', although Remarque never uses the words 'the enemy' in his story. The hero and narrator is a teenaged German boy, torn with his classmates from the environs of his High School and thrown into the senseless carnage that is the Western Front. Essential reading for those that would glorify war.

First read the book for my O levels, thought it was good then even better the second time around. The only book I've read more than once. If you haven't read it please do. I would also recommend Bird Song by Sebastian Faulks, another great read.Both books sum up the horror of World War I.