Storm of Steel

( 9 )

Overview

The memoir widely viewed as the best account ever written of fighting in WW1

A memoir of astonishing power, savagery, and ashen lyricism, Storm of Steel illuminates not only the horrors but also the fascination of total war, seen through the eyes of an ordinary German soldier. Young, tough, patriotic, but also disturbingly self-aware, Jünger exulted in the Great War, which he saw not just as a great national conflict but—more importantly—as a unique personal struggle. Leading ...

See more details below
Paperback
$9.21
BN.com price
(Save 42%)$16.00 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (30) from $4.83   
  • New (18) from $8.91   
  • Used (12) from $4.83   
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

The memoir widely viewed as the best account ever written of fighting in WW1

A memoir of astonishing power, savagery, and ashen lyricism, Storm of Steel illuminates not only the horrors but also the fascination of total war, seen through the eyes of an ordinary German soldier. Young, tough, patriotic, but also disturbingly self-aware, Jünger exulted in the Great War, which he saw not just as a great national conflict but—more importantly—as a unique personal struggle. Leading raiding parties, defending trenches against murderous British incursions, simply enduring as shells tore his comrades apart, Jünger kept testing himself, braced for the death that will mark his failure. Published shortly after the war’s end, Storm of Steel was a worldwide bestseller and can now be rediscovered through Michael Hofmann’s brilliant new translation.

For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Michael Dirda
One closes Storm of Steel with a heavy heart. So many men dead! And, really, for what? Moreover, these were the Huns, the supposedly evil, ruthless enemy, men who in normal life were schoolteachers, factory workers and artists, as well as husbands, fathers, sons and brothers. Yet each faithfully undertook his obligation as a soldier, and each died heroically or foolishly or unfairly. Jünger's great book matter-of-factly conveys the mysterious glamour of war, the exhilaration of its excess and intensity and, not least, the undeniable glory of men bravely preparing for battle as for "some terrible silent ceremonial that portends human sacrifice."
— The Washington Post
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780142437902
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 5/4/2004
  • Series: Penguin Classics Series
  • Pages: 320
  • Sales rank: 62249
  • Product dimensions: 5.21 (w) x 7.80 (h) x 0.58 (d)

Meet the Author

Ernst Jünger (1895–1998) was born in Heidelberg. He ran away from school and volunteered to join the German army. Fighting throughout the war, he recorded his experiences in several books, most famously in In Stahlgewittern (Storm of Steel).

Read More Show Less

Table of Contents

Storm of Steel Introduction
Bibliography

Storm of Steel
In the Chalk Trenches of Champagne
From Bazancourt to Hattonchâtel
Les Eparges
Douchy and Monchy
Daily Life in the Trenches
The Beginning of the Battle of the Somme
Guillemont
The Woods of St-Pierre-Vaast
Retreat From the Somme
In the Village of Fresnoy
Against Indian Opposition
Langemarck
Regniéville
Flanders Again
The Double Battle of Cambrai
At the Cojeul River
The Great Battle
British Gains
My Last Assault
We Fight Our Way Through

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 9 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(5)

4 Star

(3)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)
Sort by: Showing all of 9 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri May 26 00:00:00 EDT 2006

    best war memoir ever!

    outstanding story of the war exploits of an extraordinary german soldier in world war 1. have a detailed map when you read the book. for english or american readers the towns referred to are many times unfamiliar because they were behind german lines.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2011

    Chilling

    This chilling and humbling account leaves the reader with a good sense of the physical annihalation of the First World War, but more in compassion with the average infantryman in the trenches. This piece includes raids, the psychological impact of gas and machine guns, and escape. There is little realization of the fact that Junger is German, for his book accurately brings the reader back to the trenches in Western Europe for a humbling experience whereby the psychological and emotional impact is tough not to remember.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Fri Mar 05 00:00:00 EST 2010

    Storm of Steel

    Ernst Junger's "Storm of Steel" is an enthralling story about WWI. Junger was a soldier for Germany and rose in the ranks within the army. He was often wounded, but regardless, fought hard and was a great leader for his men. The book itself does not really analyze anything or have any hidden meanings; instead, it deals with observations and the stark reality of warfare. Many of Junger's friends died with him standing by their side, and throughout the book, you can see how Junger matures and learns from his experiences. On the whole, this is a very interesting book and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys war literature. It is an interesting version of WWI as it is given from the perspective of a German soldier, although it is not biased at all.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Aug 22 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    The most amazing book ever

    This is the truest account of WWI out there. Any one who loves history will love this book. No Opinions just one mans story! Who, what, where and when NO why....

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2005

    wow

    I've read dozens of autobiographical war 'stories'. This one blows them all away. It is a crystal clear look at the beauty, horror, and boredom of war. Also refreshing to read something from the point of view of the Central Powers.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    very good read gives a good account what it must have been like

    very good read gives a good account what it must have been like at the front during world war one repeats its self quite a bit after a while as I suppose it would have but overall a good book frome the germans point of view

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2011

    Fascinating insight into WWI trench war.

    "Storm of Steel" by Ernst Junger is an astounding first-hand description of surviving the horrors of four years of trench warfare on the Western Front during WWI.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Sat Feb 26 00:00:00 EST 2011

    Great WWI memoir

    The book 'Storm of Steel' is a wonderful memoir describing Junger's experience in WWI. In the book many times over he is injured, but each time he returns to fight another day. The book was great at describing what life was like for those in WWI. I would recomend this book to people who enjoy history. It is also helpful to know your geography to understand the locations discussed, or have a map nearby. Overall, i would recomend this book to anyone looking for a book to share time with.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Nov 24 00:00:00 EST 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 9 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)