Erich Maria Remarque’s classic novel of World War I, All Quiet on the Western Front, was an international sensation. Celebrated by countless readers for its moving depiction of the traumas suffered and the camaraderie shared in the trenches, the work also sparked controversy on all sides of the political spectrum, in which Remarque, now a celebrity, was claimed as a representative of various political causes. In this edition, Katharina Rout’s fresh, engaging English translation of All Quiet is accompanied by an informative introduction and illuminating contextual materials that help situate Remarque’s work among other literary and nonfictional accounts of the war experience and offer insight into how the novel was received.
NB At the 7 Nov 2024 book launch celebrating the publication of her edition, Katharina Rout spoke about her translation of All Quiet on the Western Front; excerpts from her wide-ranging address can be found at this link.
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“Here is a new and welcome translation and edition of one of the essential books of the twentieth century. Everyone should read this book, because, through the story he tells of ordinary soldiers in the First World War, Remarque showed the world how to honor those who die in war without glorifying war itself. Looking at Sudan, Syria, Gaza, and Ukraine today, this message is an important one for our violent times“ — Jay Winter, Yale University
“Unflinchingly revealing the grim truth of war, and banned by the Nazis because of it, Remarque’s books were weaponized by some even as All Quiet on the Western Front was read by tens of millions. In this new work of translation, Katharina Rout provides an informed, gritty, and evocative exploration of the epic novel. Framed with an introduction that skillfully contextualizes Remarque as combat soldier, struggling veteran, best-selling author, and global citizen, Rout maps the many contradictions in his writing life and literary works. Now, nearly a century later, readers will encounter this influential war novel with new eyes in a world that continues to be plagued by conflict and war.” — Tim Cook, author of Vimy: The Battle and the Legend
“In addition to a well-judged translation of Remarque’s novel that should resound well with readers of today, Katharina Rout also provides a rich sample of extracts from comparable writings and a selection of early reviews and other documents that vividly illustrate how controversial All Quiet on the Western Front was in its day.” — David Midgley, University of Cambridge
“Katharina Rout’s new translation of Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front forms a welcome addition to literary and historical studies of World War I and Weimar Germany. The translation into modern North American English is far more accessible than earlier British translations and effectively captures Remarque’s so-called “telegraphic style,” as he narrates the common soldier’s “worm’s-eye” view of the war. Rout’s informational footnotes explaining military jargon and German trench slang are immensely useful. The excellent selection of excerpts from contemporary war books establishes the place of Remarque’s novel in a comparative context. Even more important are the excerpts from articles and reviews that appeared after the book’s publication and subsequent notoriety, which ignited a highly polarized and politicized debate about the “truth” of the book and the “meaning” of the war. The photographs and images at the end supply a visual summation of the impact of the war on the men who fought it, while foreshadowing the impending collapse of the Weimar Republic and the arrival of the Third Reich. Any teacher of All Quiet would be thrilled to have this edition.“ — Ann P. Linder, author of Princes of the Trenches: Narrating the German Experience of the First World War and World War I in 40 Posters
“Broadview Press’s All Quiet on the Western Front could not be more timely—or necessary. At a time of resurgent book banning, the contextual documents remind us of why Nazis banned and burned this book. At a time of renewed moviegoer interest in World War I, Broadview’s translation into North American English speaks to us directly, conveying the power of the original. Even faculty who have been teaching this work for years will find valuable new information in the introduction and supporting materials. …[A]n introduction, historical and biographical timeline, a gallery of images including art by Käthe Kollwitz and Otto Dix, and contemporary historical documents illuminate political and personal context, myths about the origins of the novel, revisions insisted on by the publisher, marketing strategy, reception, and … reviews and reactions from the time. I cannot imagine using any other edition to teach this greatest of all anti-war novels.” — Richard Middleton-Kaplan, Whitman College
