This novel has left many impressions and images in my mind. The warzone was amazingly described and made me think about warzones, being shellshocked, the inhumanity of war, death and agony. Paul's story is filled with pain and suffering. His squad is slowly taken out, soldier by soldier. In the end, it is only Paul left until he is affected by a chemical attack. Paul died by the end of the story. It taught me much about trench warfare and what solider must endure in battle.
The images of fighting and violence is a constant reminder what happened not so long ago. It is funny as it was considered the "war to end all wars," yet we are in the middle of a huge war on terrorism in the Middle East. These images have remained in my mind becuase it was a huge part of the book. Understanding what these young men went throught was one of the authors goals. I believe he was successful and the reader's perspective of war and the soldiers who fight them are changed. You do indeed learn of the life of these soliders and how they survive. You begin to question if war is really necessary. Or for that matter, can it be avoided. Also, it brings a connection to modern times with the war on terrorism in the Middle East. We no longer use trench warfare, but advanced tactics and procedures. We have learned a lot from WWI (technology being the most) but one thing is for sure: war is eternal.
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