Storm of Steel

It is about time this came out. Maybe Hoffman can live with Penquin in Antarctica. Here’s to the non supression of truth!

As for Jnger’s story, nothing more needs to be said than it is the definitive account of World War I and a harrowing journey through it. The original 1929 translation preserves his fresh view of the conflict that his subsequent edits, motivated by his changing opinions or the changing political landscape, sincerely lacked. Since original 1929 editions are expensive, this is a welcome and joyous reprint. However, the copy I received had some strange printing issues: one of the pages was bound incorrectly and the book can’t be shut all the way, and some of the pages are a yellowed-tone and some are bright white. While I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone interested, I do wish I got a more archival quality copy for my collection.

UPDATE: The publisher and Amazon reached out to me and replaced the book without cost to me. The edition I now have is in perfect condition.

This is a sturdy and convenient reprint of Basil Creighton’s 1929 translation of “Storm of Steel.” Scholars and students of “Storm of Steel” probably know that this famous war memoir went through a number of editions (“at least eight,” according to scholar Michael Hofmann) between 1920 and 1961. Apparently, no detailed study has been made of all the textual additions, subtractions, and alterations. But it is clear that any serious student of Jnger’s works should want to have more than one translation, if only to trace the evolution of the author’s thought. This book suits that purpose admirably. Arguably, Jnger “toned down” the intensity of his book in later editions, as he sought more of an international audience; this fact highlights the importance of understanding Jnger’s original sentiments, composed when the war was still fresh in his memory, and when he was writing primarily for the men in his regiment or other veterans. Creighton’s translation itself is an excellent piece of work, flowing smoothly and uncluttered by the oafishness the English reader usually encounters in translations of German literature. Highly recommended.

Love the book. However, there are MANY spelling errors in this print. Normally this wouldn’t bother me but the sheer amount of it verges on taking away from the read. I’m only roughly 50 pages in and I’ve lost count of spelling errors. Get a pair of eyes on the print and it won’t take a genius editor to fix it.

“The Storm of Steel: Original 1929 Translation,” by Ernst Jnger and translated by Basil Creighton is an engrossing journey along the frontlines.

We see instances of touching reflection and of sorrow, of brutality and heroism and courage, from the author as well from those he observes. And not just of his countrymen as the teller of the tale often speaks highly of those he faced in the opposing trenches.

We follow the author, more and more as we progress, into the zone – and not only the War Zone. Whether through artful telling, a reliance on notes, the quirk of translation, or through all these and more we’re drawn into the action of the individual warrior, flung from dugout to shell-hole across fields through crashing fire and smoke and into the melee.

This original English translation ofErnst Jnger’s “The Storm of Steel” is a refreshing telling of one man’s experience in one of the most brutal periods in our history. If it sounds strange to refer to a book nearly a century old, on a subject as devastating as WWI as “refreshing,” perhaps it’s because raw and noble works such as this, without layers of professorial agenda-laden lecturing, are these days in such short supply.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member