One of the most important and gifted writers of our time —Italo CalvinoPrimo Levi was one of the most astonishing voices to emerge from the twentieth century: a man who survived one of the ugliest times in history; yet who was able to describe his own Auschwitz experience with an unaffected tenderness.Levi was a master storyteller but he did not write fairytales. These stories are an elegy to the human figures who stood out against the tragic background of Auschwitz; "the ones in whom I had recognized the will and capacity to react; and hence a rudiment of virtue." Each centres on an individual who—whether it be through a juggling trick; a slice of apple or a letter—discovers one of the "bizarre; marginal moments of reprieve."For more than seventy years; Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1;700 titles; Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors; as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
#179641 in Books Sir Alistair Horne 1994-01-01 1994-01-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.80 x .72 x 5.09l; .60 #File Name: 0140170413388 pagesThe Price of Glory Verdun 1916
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Horrific BattleBy Mark R. BrewerThis is a classic work; originally published in 1962. It is a horrible tale; wonderfully told. The prose is almost poetic; but the subject matter is appalling and hard to fathom. The Battle of Verdun; fought between France and Germany; lasted from February through November; 1916; a period of ten months. The author; Alistair Horne; calls Verdun "the worst battle in history." It is hard to argue his point. The combined casualties for both sides exceeded a million. A million! The German strategy was to bleed the French army white; but they really hurt themselves more than they hurt France. Indeed; Horne says Germany's chance to win World War I was lost at Verdun. The battle was "a desperate tragedy for both nations."But let one of the soldiers who was there tell the tale. "Humanity is mad! It must be to do what it is doing. What a massacre! What scenes of horror and carnage! . . . Hell cannot be so terrible. Men are mad!"This is a superb book on this great and terrible event.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great historical writingBy UWSiderA beautifully written history of the battle of Verdun and a must read for anyone interested in WWI history. What I liked most about the book is that it gave not only the thinking of the generals but what it was like for the poor souls (the poilus) that had to fight in the trenches. A very moving book; especially when one think about the tragic waste of human and animal lives in the charnel house called Verdun.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent book; well written if somewhat idiosyncraticBy Jonathan DExcellent book; well written if somewhat idiosyncratic. Horne provides an informative account of various aspects of the battle while maintaining an engaging narrative of events. He provides enough context and commentary for those who do not know much about world war to both enjoy and comprehend the story of the battle without getting bogged down in tiresome explanations. The story is told primarily from the perspective of the French.
