A German Deserter's War Experience

Written by:
Anonymous
Narrated by:
Lee Smalley

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
74
Narrator
25
Release Date
January 2017
Duration
5 hours 20 minutes
Summary
The author of this 1917 narrative, who escaped from Germany and military service after 14 months of fighting in France, did not wish to have his name made public, fearing reprisals against his relatives. The vivid description of the life of a common German soldier during “The Great War” aroused much interest when it was published in the United States in serial form. Here was a warrior against his will, a hater of militarism for whom there was no romance in war, but only butchery and brutality, grime and vermin, inhuman toil and degradation. His story also contains the first German description of the retreat of the Teutonic armies after the battle of the Marne. – From the Translator’s Preface - Summary by Lee Smalley
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Reviews
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Andrew A

I really enjoyed this book terribly sad and moving. But finished on a high I wish there was another chapter. Just to see how he got on with the rest of his life

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Erica m

This book is heartbreaking through most of it but is a great reminder to question, to know why you believe what you believe, and to stand for what is right. It was interesting to hear how many believed who to hate or what to do.

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Miss Biggun

Really interesting hearing the experience of war from the German side, I would love to know what happened once the Author made it to America and how his life turned out, it's a shame we'll never know

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Anonymous

Harrowing account of war.

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Anonymous

How futile ANY war is ! this book really shows the horror of it all. to see the point of view of the enemy brings it all home. I thought the last chapter was an anticlimax and would have benefited by expanding is escape plans. however, it was a thoroughly good read, well narrated. I recommend it to anyone interested in this topic.

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Walter K.

I just completed listening to this book being read and I liked the author. There were a few places where the stupidity of war was laid out: however, for some reason it did not seem to come across as personal to the author. I was eager to understand why he decided to desert and had trouble finding why. His story describes his deserting because the opportunity presented itself in the last part of the last chapter, like it had to be squeezed in before the story ended. It thought the author just wanted to describe what occurred to hum a soldier during warfare and how it affected his outlook on life. That's all. I wanted the author to show how what-war-is went against all the ideals and standards he had picked up from his youth and his thinking processes: I must have missed it. Seems he could have told a similar type story about becoming a cab driver.

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Anonymous

Well read very informative story if incredible waste of lives Will our world learn

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Dietmar B.

What an incredible journey. Must read for all supporters of war. Narration was great.

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Anonymous

Great story, great reader

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Anonymous

Very honest account from the German side of this brutal time.

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Okie

This was a very good book and gave great insights into WWI.

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Anonymous

Very interesting listen , love the audio books now

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