I’ve been reading the book All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque and it’s one of those books that when you look at the cover you’re like “ehh looks slow” but once you start reading it, it really grabs you and you want to keep reading. It’s about a soldier and his fellow soldiers on the battle field of World War 1 and how things were from their point of view. I had always heard of WW1 and WW2 and I always had an idea that is was a struggle for soldiers who fought, but my idea of their struggles was just death and starvation. Little did I know that they had lice, trench foot, and barely showered. It’s much worse than I thought it to be. Books like these sort of “humble” you in a way. For a while you put your life into perspective and just tell yourself “okay waking up at 7 in the morning isn’t that bad after all.” I’m only 3 chapters in and it’s a really good book so far. Can’t wait to finish it.
Reblogged this on museumandhistory.com and commented:
I too have been reading All Quiet on the Western Front after only glancing through it in the 1980’s school book assignment. Thirty years later, I’m ready to really read it and contemplate what all soldiers and animals (mainly horses) when through 100 years ago. #ANZAC
Yeah this book is turning out to be better than I thought! When I finish, I’m thinking of looking for other WW1 or WW2 books. This one is a good balance of violence and insight on the solider’s life.