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Storm of Steel: A Penguin Modern Classics Review of the Classic War Memoir by Ernst Jünger

Don Coleman

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Published in Storm Of Steel (Penguin Modern Classics)

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Storm of Steel is a classic war memoir by Ernst Jünger, first published in 1920. The book recounts Jünger's experiences as a German soldier during World War I. It is a powerful and moving account of the horrors of war, and it remains one of the most important works of war literature ever written.

Jünger was a young man when he joined the German army in 1914. He was assigned to the front lines in France, where he fought in some of the most brutal battles of the war. He was wounded several times, and he witnessed the death of many of his comrades.

Storm of Steel (Penguin Modern Classics)

by Michael Hofmann

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2822 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	313 pages

Despite the horrors of war, Jünger remained a keen observer of the human condition. In Storm of Steel, he describes the camaraderie of soldiers, the brutality of battle, and the psychological effects of war on the individual.

Storm of Steel is a challenging book to read, but it is also a rewarding one. It is a powerful reminder of the horrors of war, and it offers a unique insight into the human experience of war.

The Horrors of War

Storm of Steel is a graphic and unflinching account of the horrors of war. Jünger describes the carnage of battle in vivid detail, and he does not shy away from the brutality of war.

In one scene, Jünger describes a battle in which his unit is attacked by a French machine gun. He watches as his comrades are mowed down one by one.

The machine gun opened up again, mowing down our men like grass. I saw one man's head blown off, and another man's arm was torn off. The screams of the wounded were deafening.

Jünger also describes the psychological effects of war on the individual. He writes about the nightmares that plague him, and the difficulty he has adjusting to civilian life after the war.

I have seen too much death and destruction. I have seen the best and worst of humanity. I will never be the same man again.

The Camaraderie of Soldiers

Despite the horrors of war, Jünger also finds solace in the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers. He describes the bonds that form between men who share the same experiences.

We were all in the same boat. We all faced the same dangers. We all relied on each other for survival.

Jünger's description of the camaraderie of soldiers is one of the most moving aspects of Storm of Steel. It shows that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope and humanity.

The Psychological Effects of War

Storm of Steel is also a valuable document for understanding the psychological effects of war on the individual. Jünger describes the nightmares that plague him, the difficulty he has adjusting to civilian life after the war, and the sense of alienation he feels from society.

I am a different man now than I was before the war. I have seen too much, experienced too much. I can never go back to the way things were before.

Jünger's insights into the psychological effects of war are invaluable for anyone who wants to understand the impact of war on the human mind.

Storm of Steel is a powerful and moving account of the horrors of war. It is a classic of war literature, and it remains one of the most important works ever written about the human experience of war.

If you are interested in learning more about World War I, or if you are interested in reading a powerful and moving war memoir, then I highly recommend Storm of Steel.

Storm of Steel (Penguin Modern Classics)

by Michael Hofmann

4.7 out of 5