All Quiet on the Western Front - A Book Review Essay

All Quiet on the Western Front - A Book Review Professor’s Comments: This is a good example of a book review typically required in history classes. It is unbiased and thoughtful. The Student explains the book and the time in which it was written in great detail, without retelling the entire story†¦ a pitfall that many first time reviewers may experience. All Quiet on the Western Front is the story of Paul Baumer’s service as a soldier in the German army during World War I. Paul and his classmates enlist together, share experiences together, grow together, share disillusionment over the loss of their youth, and the friends even experience the horrors of death-- together. Though the book is a novel, it gives the reader†¦show more content†¦The story is as relevant today as it was when published in 1929 because it is the story of more than war; it is the story of humanity. The book begins with the death of Pauls friend. The men have, by this time, become almost desensitized to death. Kemmerich (the dying friend) owns a fine pair of English airmans boots. It is a forgone conclusion that Kemmerich will no longer require them. It is not petty greed, but pragmatism, which drives Mullers desire to have the boots. The troops’ own equipment is ragged and worn, making anything in serviceable condition an improvement on what they have. As we find out in the story, not only are the soldiers’ boots worn out, but the artillery of the German army is also worn out. This may symbolize that not only are the soldiers and equipment at the front worn out, but so is Germany as a whole. Germany was worn out and had no idea what was going to happen, just as the soldiers had no idea where the artillery shells would land. Paul reminisces about his days in school and how he and his friends believed the indoctrination they had received from their schoolmaster. However, after experiencing war, Paul questions the fervent nationalism of the Germans. What has nationalism done for Germany other than destroy the country? In blindly following the words of his elders, Paul has achieved nothing except to become an old man at the age of twenty. Not only does Paul now question his schoolmasters reasoning, but he alsoShow MoreRelatedSoldiers Fighting for their Country in Enrich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front Book Review783 Words   |  3 Pagesfrom comrade’s wounds. The stench of death hovers in the air and encases every movement. A faint buzz whizzes into the ear drums as shells and bullets fluster by with brilliant flashes of light. These are the everyday encounters of a soldier on the front. No words can even begin to touch the realness of terror that soldiers experience every da y. Young recruits are reeled into this torture and sacrifice everything they have and love for their country. 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