Writing is one of many ways to deal with the emotional trauma of war known today as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (PTSD) Sajer wrote this work as a way to deal with his PTSD and tell his story. The problem with most histories is that they are written by General Officers or their staffs. The Forgotten Soldier is written by the soldier in the field that has to try to implement the orders that Staff gives. It is a reminder of the fantastic job that the Wehrmacht did in fighting from the Don to Berlin against overwhelming Russian numbers. The retreat of the Wehrmacht was one of the greatest defensive actions ever fought by any Army ever. And this book tells that story from the grunt on the grounds view. This is not a grand strategy book but is a front line soldiers view. A view with all the horror and the humor that men who have seen the worst would then or today will relate too. A great read.

It reads like a video game. There’s no metaphor, just tank assault after tank assault. It’s super chaotic, and I was relieved to have survived it myself.

Okay, so I actually didn’t finish this book. It was a beautifully written story about the horrors of war and young love. This book taught its readers that although we play a small, yet crucial part in the world, you don’t really matter unless you do something huge so people remember you. The fact that this was a memoir was especially thought provoking. However, I know I’m reading a good book when even though my eyes can hardly stay open due to how tired I am, I have to keep reading. This book was a nice one, but it felt like a chore to read hundreds of pages at once. So I ultimately didn’t finish it. The fact that is was for school didn’t help either. A good read if you have a lot of time, but this book wasn’t for me.

Marvelous journey specially with the company of...

Excellent story of courage, comradery and raw emotions that can only have been experienced in the Second World War.

The trials and tribulations experienced by Guy are masterfully stamped in this book. You can feel how Sajer is been transformed throughout his journey; from his training days all the way to the end (which I won't spoil).

The comradery, the tragedy, his brief but oh so intense love that Guy experienced while being in the different and often brutal campaigns are almost indescribable. This book will forcefully put in perspective the lives of anyone that reads it.

Also, I don't want to end this little review without wholeheartedly recommend the audible audiobook, but not the one that is linked with this book, but the one narrated by Derek Perkins; trust me, you NEED this one for the journey (also, a German and a french dictionary at hand).

I read Sajer's story 20 years ago and I was deeply impressed by it. He was among those Alsatians who joined the Wehrmacht following the incorporation of Alsace (one of France's eastern regions) into the Third Reich following France's defeat in June 1940. Sajer himself is of French and German parentage.

Since the time I read this book, questions have been raised as to its authenticity. Be that as it may, Sajer's descriptions of serving both with an anti-partisan and later with an elite infantry unit on the Eastern Front are compelling.

In answer to his critics, Sajer has said that "You ask me questions of chronology situations dates and unimportant details. Historians and archivists have harassed me for a long time with their rude questions. All of this is unimportant. Other authors and high-ranking officers could respond to your questions better than I. I never had the intention to write a historical reference book; rather I wrote about my innermost emotional experiences as they relate to the events that happened to me in the context of the Second World War."

For my part, I enjoyed this book and now regard it as a great work of military literature.

Outstanding!!! An absolute fascinating story.

Could easily have been 5 stars....

Vast in scope, relentless in detail, as much an experience as a book. A brutal first-hand account of a footsoldier in one of Germany's defeated WWII armies.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that some of its impact comes from its length. But I couldn't stop reading it, very more-ish, and a wonderful mix of history and messy in-person reality.

For anyone interested in WWII.

Though gut wrenching through most of it, this is overall a great book. Too often war is glorified within our culture. After reading this book, I think it would be hard to not have a more anti-war and pacifist outlook on the world. The book is raw and horrific. But I feel it's essential that the world doesn't forget what these men (on both sides of the conflict) went through.