One of the classics of war literature, for sure. WWI changed the way that Europe thought about war and patriotism, and nowhere is this more clear thanOne of the classics of war literature, for sure. WWI changed the way that Europe thought about war and patriotism, and nowhere is this more clear than in the literature. All Quiet on the Western Front is a masterful portrayal of the horror and humanity of war. The scene in which Paul Baumer is trapped in a shell crater with a Frenchman whom he has killed is one of the most moving and meaningful ever written. Paul joins up an idealistic young boy fresh out of school, encouraged by his naive teacher, blinded by patriotism. All Quiet on the Western Front follows his experiences in the trenches as he realises that he's fighting for nothing, that his 'enemy' are just men like him, and that they've been lied to every step of the way. Straight from school into the army, those young men are displaced. They long to escape from war but the alternative is almost as unbearable for them; back in his home town Paul feels like a stranger to his own family and can't help but be repulsed by the hypocrisy and ignorance he finds there. Home is no longer home and the front is hell. This book is the poignant story of a generation's stolen youth....more
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