excellent in depth recollection

of a french soldiers experiences on eastern front, Guy Sajer was only 16 when he entered the German army, eventually making it into the most elite regiment. The sheer suffering he witnesses and endures and shares with us is almost too much to bear over the course of the book. So much so, that one often has to put it down after a few pages to compose oneself and emotionally re-center.

Brutal, honest, and traumatizing. This account of the German perspective of the war shows the horrors these young men faced. I feel both the Allied Forces and the Germans acted out of convictions of duty, courage, and the preservation of life. This story will stick with me for years to come and will act as a reminder of the carnage and death that can only come from war.

Writers like Sajer, will never allow the future generations to forget, the miseries of world war soldiers.

World war two was fought by soldiers but described by soldiers who become writers; Sajer belongs to this rare breed; he accomplished this rare job by writing, under stressful circumstances and arranging the information, for future readers.

Sajer did a fine job in describing, the situation and psychology of a foot soldier, respect and value of enemy, Morality of a losing infantry, Hate for partisans, Agony of dying comrades, Worries of families, Benevolence of seniors, Difficulty of weather, Hardship of immobility, Frustration of illness and much more.

This is a very fine book for those, who want to read about the agonies and pain of German soldiers. This book gives altogether a different aspect of world war. This helps in understanding a crucial fact of war that .... the true enemy of, a man in war is .... the war itself!

"We felt like lost souls, who had forgotten that men are made for something else, that time exists, and hope, and sentiments other than anguish; that friendship can be more than ephemeral, that love can sometimes occur, that the earth can be productive, and used for something other than burying the dead.”

― Guy Sajer, The Forgotten Soldier

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5 people found this helpful

interesting to hear a different side

strange to hear a French man on the other side ! a young boy who should never been there no matter what side , growing up fighting the Russians on the easter front .

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A relentless account of the eastern front.

I read this book about twelve years ago and thought it was amazing. Thankfully, this audio version does the original text justice.
The narration brings the text to life and you feel as if you were on the eastern front all those years ago. Guy Sajer's experiences are brutal and compelling, and at times mixed with moments of compassion for troops, civilians and the enemy.

Finally, I have often thought this would make a great film as it highlights the humility that can be exhibited under the most adverse conditions.  

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Action packed

Great narrator and story.
My own criticism it seems to be assumed that you knew what weapons were being used. There was no physical description of them. Otherwise great read.

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A thorough well read account.

An Interesting and worthwhile listen about a German WW2 soldier’s experience around the Eastern front… and thankfully I still have no proper appreciation of what it was like.

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The forgotten soldier

I first read this book in paperback many years ago, & thoroughly enjoyed it then, so seeing it on Audible decided to give it a try.
It’s refreshing to hear German accounts of the war, and adds some perspective while destroying some preconceptions. And it’s a brutal account.
For example, When Sajer describes the stones cracking and trees splitting in -60 degrees, you can really empathise with the pain these soldiers felt.
The narration is a little hollow, but isn’t the worst I’ve heard in Audible.
Recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

very good book

a long book ,but worth the time it takes to read it ,you won't be disappointed

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Great listen

I’ve listened to quite a few memoirs by Wehrmacht and SS personal. As this is generally regarded as the most well known, I figured I’d give it a listen.

I was not disappointed ! Sayer gives a great recount of his time in the Wehrmacht. It’s a gut wrenching listen, and Paula oh Paula - what happened there ?! We’ll never know.

Definitely recommend.

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One of my favourite first hand accounts of ww2

It’s been good to find out this account is real and the questions over it have been disproven.
I can understand why some people couldn’t believe it though as it is so unimaginable and horrific what he went through.
It’s right up there with the best ww2 books I’ve ever read / listened to. It’s a must read imo.
It is also very well performed, he brings it to life brilliantly.

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Incredibly Well Written

Gripping, moving and wonderfully read. One of the best books on WW2 I've listened to.

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1 person found this helpful