Book

I read All Quiet On The Western Front while seving in the U.S. Marines in Vietnam, 1966-1967. It is without question the greatest war novel ever written. It is the univeral story of the "grunt", all those who have ever fought on the front lines and experienced battle and death. Remarque served in the German army and lived through the hells he describes. Do not mistake his simple style of writing for a lack of literary ability - the simple telling is one of the things that make this book so great. For example, after the company has been called back to the rear for reinforcements, the captain calls the roll. Half of the names are not there - they are dead, wounded or missing. Paul (the story teller) says "A line. A short line trudges off". Remarkable for the terse imagery and depth of horror at what happened on the front.
This novel will forever speak across the years for all soldiers in battle everywhere.