The Forgotten Soldier-by Guy Sajer!

Has anyone read this book before? It sounds really interesting and the net don't provides much information!
Can anyone tell me more about this before, i read it?
Is there alot of truth to the book? Also is it easy to find at the local libary?
I am not quite sure but-
Is it about a Soldiers ww2 expreince during ww2?
And what do you rate it?
I see if it's worth getting!It does sound apealing to me.

Thanks-
Redards

 

Thank you for the hopful hints.

 

Hi Heidi, I have read it and it was a good read. Some people on other forums dismiss the book because Guy Sajer "forgot" certain details. However, those who "diss" tha book forgot that Privates usually don't know what the heck is going on with the full "picture" and usually only know what's going on in with their own Platoon and Company areas of operations. Is the book real accurate on times, dates and places-in an over-view-no-but from the view of a Private and what his experiances were-he's is as accurate as humanly possible.

Anyway, hope this helps you?

 

The arguments against the veracity of the book are a lot more than just "forgot some details" there are some serious questions as to whether the book is fiction or not. It may however still be worth reading as fiction it depends on what you are looking for.

 

The Forgotten soldier was required reading for the WW2 history class I took in college.

The writer is clearly not a technical-type person like, say, Manstein, Guderian, etc.

He has an artist's mind (in reality, he was an artist).

 

Heidi,

I recommend this book very much! Below you can read my review of it from amazon.com:

I hesitate to use so many good words to describe this book, as its subject matter is mostly disgusting, tragic, and terrifying. But this is how it was, or at least, as close to understanding what happened from a common soldier's point-of-view on the Eastern Front as we'll likely get, in my opinion...

Sajer experiences a torrent of highs and lows by the time what's left of his division escapes the advancing russian hordes. The reader takes the journey with Sajer, and whether you intend to or not, it is difficult to not feel pity for this teenager, one who was part of an army that most of the world saw as the ultimate evil during this time in history.

Despite some of the criticism that all or some of it is made up, I can recommend it either way. Even if some of it is falsified, which I doubt, even the glimpse of war this work showcases is enough to warn all future generations of its ultimate futility.

A great and accomplished book, and one of the best "you are there" accounts of World War II that I have ever experienced.

--

So yes, I think you should track it down and try it out. I think you will be pleased. Keep us updated if you do read it - I'd like to know your reactions.

 

hmm based on your recommendation, it seems like a really good book, i think i might get it as well.

 

I actually went to my local libary today to hunt for *the fogotten soldier*and to my disbelieve,the libary does not stock this book.
So than i went for the next best thing-A Writer at war/Vasily grossman,with the redArmy 1941-1945!
and i also picked up two other books,but i am just wondering,how you guys actually got you're hands on the *forgotten soldier*??? how did you do it???
Did you guys buy the book from a book store???

 

It should still be available from book stores. If not try AbeBooks Official Site - New & Secondhand Books, New &Used Textbooks, Rare & Out of Print Books

Whether you believe it to be fact or fiction there is no denying that it is a very good read.

 

Here in the states there's an inter library loan program so if your local library doesn't have a book you still have a chance of getting it from another library through them. I don't know if similar programs are in effect elsewhere.

 

Lwd-I might ask the libary about this,they may have this program,thanks.

hucks216- i'll check the book stores and than i''ll check the net,thanks.

Much appricated,

 

I've had my copy of "Forgotten Soldier" for some years now, it's well read and a bit 'dog eared' ... It's one of those books you can go back to again and again. I have heard it's out of print and quite sort after ... maybe a couple of more reads before I part with mine.

 

Believe it or not I found mine in the autobiography section of a local used bookstore here in the states for $5.00! Not sure if you have used bookstores where you are, but don't discount them without at least giving them a look...you may end up pleasantly surprised! Good Luck!

 

BlackSnake- When finished with you're book(if i have not found one)pass you're book down to me if you want too. I'll pay for it aswell!Thank you.

Good idea! There is one used second hand shop 2 mintues away from my house. Great idea. Thank you.

 

Hi Heidi, I bought my copy of the book at a Barnes and Nobles Bookstore in Corpus Christi, Texas several years ago when I saw it on their shelves. The book is still available there. I saw a copy of it sitting on a shelf at one of the B&Ns here in Houston.

 

That book was "dissed" by someone who owns a website who now also has published a book or two. I was one of the earliest members of his website but left about 10 years ago. I vividly remember the various discussions that he instigated or that took place-about Guy Sajer and his book. That said website owner/author thought he knew everything about WWII, but ws proven that he in fact-was not the high and mighty expert he claimed to be. Not proven by me-but infact-by a WWII German Vet.

 

That may be but I've seen questions about it's veracity posted recently on a number of boards and not well answered. Indeed there have been posts where if they are correct the author describes it as a novel (although there may be some translation problems that account for that). To me it looks like the weight of the evidence is that it is at least part fiction.

***Edited to add***

Here are a couple of links to threads on the book. It should be noted that there seems to be only one really staunch defender of the book as fact and several who take the position that it's fiction so it's quite possible that a stronger case can be made for the former.
http://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=6928
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1030
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=149167

 

Stop dangling the book in my face,lol.

Why don't you buy the book and send it to me by air-mail.

I am going to a use book second hand store tomorrow and i am going to try to buy it online,if i unable to get a copy,remember what i stated above.