Books matching: psychological toll of combat

8 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 8 of 8 
  1. #1

    All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
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    "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque is a powerful anti-war novel that follows the story of Paul Baumer and his classmates who enlist in the German Army during World War I. The book vividly portrays the horrors of trench warfare, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the wasted youth in a meaningless war. Through Remarque's descriptive writing style, readers are transported to the front lines of the war, experiencing the futility and brutality of battle alongside the characters.

    The novel provides a poignant depiction of the impact of war on young soldiers, exploring themes of camaraderie, the dehumanizing effects of war, and the loss of innocence. Remarque's narrative offers a unique perspective on World War I, highlighting the psychological toll of combat, the senselessness of violence, and the struggles faced by soldiers on the front lines.

    We are at rest five miles behind the front. Yesterday we were relieved, and now our bellies are full of beef and haricot beans. We are satisfied and at peace. Each man has another mess-tin full for th...

  2. #2

    The Hunters by James Salter
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    'The Hunters' by James Salter is a novel set during the Korean War, focusing on the experiences of fighter pilots in the conflict. The story follows Captain Cleve Connell, a skilled F 86 fighter pilot, as he navigates the challenges of aerial combat, rivalries among pilots, and the pursuit of excellence in a corrupt system of promotion and achievement. Salter's writing style brings to life the vivid descriptions of the changing seasons on the Korean peninsula, the adrenaline-filled missions in the sky, and the personal struggles and motivations of the characters involved.

    Cleve stood at the window, looking out. Dusk had arrived, and he felt a numb lethargy. Full animation had not yet returned to him. It seemed that everybody had gone somewhere while he had been asleep....

  3. #3

    No Less Than Victory - World War II: 1939-1945 by Jeff Shaara
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    'No Less Than Victory' by Jeff Shaara is the concluding part of the World War II trilogy, focusing on the Battle of the Bulge and the end of the war in Europe. The novel effectively blends historical facts with fictional elements, providing insights into the lives of both main commanders and individual soldiers during the last year of the war. Shaara's writing style immerses readers in the events of the time, offering a gripping and personal account of the soldiers' experiences.

    He was already cold, ice in both legs, that same annoying knot freezing in his stomach. The plane shimmied sideways, and he rocked with it, felt the nose go up, could see the ground falling away, the ...

    (Also, see 58 recommendations for the series World War II: 1939-1945 )

  4. #4

    A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo
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    A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo is a powerful memoir that delves into the personal experiences of Marine Lieutenant Philip J. Caputo during his deployment in the early days of the Vietnam War. The book vividly portrays the brutal realities of war, capturing the psychological toll it takes on the combatants. Caputo's writing style is described as clear, uncluttered, and candid, providing a raw and honest account of his time in Vietnam. The narrative follows Caputo's journey from his initial deployment in Danang in 1965 to his return home, offering a poignant reflection on the impact of war on individuals and society.

    At the age of twenty-four, I was more prepared for death than I was for life. My first experience of the world outside the classroom had been war. I went straight from school into the Marine Corps, fr...

  5. #5

    First Light by Geoffrey Wellum
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    'First Light' by Geoffrey Wellum is a captivating memoir that chronicles the experiences of a young British pilot during the tumultuous times of World War II and the Battle of Britain. Wellum's narrative style immerses the reader in the intense air combat scenes, providing vivid descriptions that make you feel as though you are right there in the cockpit with him. The book offers a personal account of the psychological toll and physical challenges faced by pilots during the war, shedding light on the realities of combat and the resilience required to endure such harrowing circumstances.

    There are some days in the early spring when the weather is such that, no matter where you are, either in town or countryside, England is at her best and it’s good to be alive. I notice that it is jus...

  6. #6

    Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger
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    Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger is a memoir recounting the experiences of a German soldier fighting on the Western Front during World War I. The narrative is unadulterated by politics and anti-war sentiment, focusing solely on the day-to-day life of a soldier in the trenches. The book provides a vivid and graphic portrayal of the brutality of war, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the personal reflections of the author on his role in the conflict.

    The train stopped at Bazancourt, a small town in Champagne, and we got out. Full of awe and incredulity, we listened to the slow grinding pulse of the front, a rhythm we were to become mightily famili...

  7. #7

    D-Day: The Battle for Normandy by Antony Beevor
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    'D-Day: The Battle for Normandy' by Antony Beevor is an excellently written account of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. The book delves into the intricacies of the campaign, offering insights into the political attitudes and interactions among the British, Canadian, French, German, and US forces. Beevor provides a balanced view of the atrocities committed by both the Allies and the Germans, while also highlighting lesser-known stories such as the contribution of conscripted Russian troops in the defending German forces.

    The author's writing style combines a gripping narrative with detailed accounts of military movements and first-person eyewitness testimonies. Beevor's ability to integrate the suffering of French civilians and the sacrifices made by all forces involved adds depth to the historical narrative. Through meticulous research and clear-eyed analysis, the book paints a comprehensive picture of the Normandy campaign, from the D-Day landings to the liberation of Paris, while also addressing the shortcomings and successes of key military figures involved.

    Southwick House is a large Regency building with a stucco façade and a colonnaded front. At the beginning of June 1944, five miles to the south, Portsmouth naval base and the anchorages beyond were cr...

  8. #8

    The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer
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    'The Forgotten Soldier' by Guy Sajer is a harrowing first-hand account of a foot soldier's experience in one of Germany's defeated WWII armies, particularly focusing on the horrors of the Eastern Front. The book provides a brutal and personal narrative of the author's struggles to survive as a young Frenchman in the German army during World War II, shedding light on the realities of war beyond the glamorized versions often portrayed.

    I had to shoulder a brutally heavy burden. Suddenly there were two flags for me to honor, and two lines of defense-the Siegfried and the Maginot-and powerful external enemies. I entered the service, d...

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