Interesante. Bien escrito. El principal problema es que la estructura del libro, originalmente publicado en 1930 presupone un conocimiento intenso de los hechos de la Gran Guerra en Francia, lo que era habitual en la Francia de la época pero no lo es hoy día. Como consecuencia el libro presenta una estructura fragmentaria. No es facil saber cuando y dónde ocurren los hechos que se narran y, finalmente se convierte en una narración deshilvanada de momentos de trinchera. La falta de personajes secundarios (con la excepción del brillante sargento Négre) y de un hilo central hacen que por momentos se vuelva tediosa.

If you want to read about a guy during WW1, this book is for you

"We are well aware that death does not immortalize a human being in the memories of the living, it simple cancels him out." - To explain the true horrors of war someone had to live through it, document it and retell it for the world to understand. Chevallier does this brilliantly in FEAR but sadly its impact has done little upon our world of war and the inequality of those chosen to fight in them. A brilliant study of a life in the trenches of the first world war, the misunderstanding of the civilian population as to what this new warfare's toll would be upon a generation and the simple desire to survive another day, another hour.

Journey of life storyteller at Great War, that begins with prequel to the war.Such us, crowds of Frenchman looking at first war posters, confused at first.But then eager to live there private lives just for adventure of conquering. The mirage of the futures fate.

As Anyone, author has thought of becoming an officer.But after promising results from exams his first drill has Been crucial to him becoming private ,and not an officer.There was also even letter from his grandmother about request for his transfer to office work.

In general french in first world war has been harsh to themselves. Like with officers that has beaten
others or ones that liked looks of man's private parts.

Gabriel, the writer, survived attack on German lines with only five grenades that he didn't know how to use, living his well known rifle.then injured, goes to hospital.

Quite different world of hospitality and illness. Where you can rest for price of getting bedsores on skin, insanity or amputation. With sweet motion of humanity from nurses. After long „vacation” he goes to war with new job, in communication. And as such thinks of himself as saved.

Not only this but people has paid to get injured to get away from fighting, whether by bullet in leg or grenade blast.

On final days of the war one solder, a friend, has died by heart attack from misfire artillery shell.

Trenches are bearable only when you don't think, of, death, killing, glory. This kind of war does not
cooperate well with thinking, therefore these who act without logic are best.

In the end the civilians who has fought in first world war with five more years of service has gotten military retirement.

Again it's very good and truthful war biography.That sort of books can make you think twice before starting new conflict.

2014 is the year everyone remembers the Great War, the war to end all wars. In just a few months, we will see the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Franz Josef and his wife, the declarations of war between the major combatants, and the beginning of the years of trench warfare and attrition. It's fitting that this is also the year that sees the translation and publication of Gabriel Chevallier's Fear, among other books about the soldier's experience on the Western Front.

Read the rest at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss for review consideration.