Memoirs of an Infantry Officer (Faber Fiction Classics)

Sassoon's book is an accurate and thoughtful reflection upon his experiences during the First World War, though is naturally limited by the mores, attitudes and idiosyncrasies of his class and generation. I appreciate that these lessen the 'power' of the account and it's authenticity from the lower rank point of view, but we must accept them as an authentic account of one man's experience of a highly traumatic set of events. Whilst some passages of the book will live long with the reader (perhaps the most salient being his description of his nerves prior to going into battle), we cannot expect him to be able to write in a way that represents the experience for the common soldier. Let's be grateful that an articulate and accomplished officer actually survived the war to pass on this account, regardless as to whether they can show only one facet, i.e. that of the officer class.

Any subjective account of the First World War will be limited by the social position of the participant: at that time the UK had a very strong class structure. It is perhaps more of a shame that 'lower-class' soldiers were unable to publish their own accounts of the experience for other reasons (i.e. an unwillingness to discuss the war from a working class point of view immediately after the event, and perhaps a lack of publisher/reader interest).

Sassoon had the integrity to protest about the war both during and after the event, using his social position and talents as a writer. It is of course vital to remember that in doing so, he did not claim an exemption from its horrors (though it is perhaps an accurate reflection that he was spared ceaseless exposure, and hence lived to tell the tale).

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the conditions of the armies that served in the Trenches, it is necessary to read a range of different sources in order to piece-together the disparity between the officer-rank experience. The books of Lynn MacDonald are extremely useful in doing this, and bring in a wealth of letters home from all ranks in the service. From these emerge a more rounded picture of the experience shared by both Officers and the men that served under and respected them. Perhaps Gary Sheffield's book `Forgotten Victory' helps to remind us that the majority of fighters believed in what they were doing, and saw the horrors of the war as necessary in attaining their goal.

Sassoon wrote about the horror of war, but in a style and with a talent that prevented that horror from occluding the all other considerations, and the result is a reasoned account by a man with a highly developed sense of human responsibility.

Understated and misunderstood (8/8 people found this helpful)

I was prompted to write a review following some of the negative appraisals on here about this fabulous novel.

It is a semi autobiographical account of his life and as such, he uses his poetic language and authors narrative to present the life of his alter ego George Sherston. Many of the events exactly mirror Sassoons own experience but it should be remembered that he remains detached from the emotional elements of the story as they unfold.

Sassoons experience of the Great War, (much like his counterpart Wilfred Owen) was not 'typical' of the working class Tommy in the trenches. It wouldn't be because he was an Officer and as such the experience differed from the Private in the trench as much as their social stature would have. This is evident in Sassoons novel where he discusses his extended sick leave in England or being billetted in farm houses with 'wine on tap' the night before battles.

However, it is his experience of the war and to dismiss it as 'not representative'of the First World War is missing the point entirely. I'm sure many survivors of the Great War (particularly the Officer classes) would relate to the vision as presented by Sassoon in this book.

I think a study of Sassoon's life shows that he was a brave soldier, an inspiring leader and very highly thought of by his men. His attitude towards 'servants' would have been typical of a man of his social standing during that period. It does not mean he did not care or dismissed their worth. Far from it, Sassoon championed their cause more as he saw the plight of the Infantry man first hand and was himself subjected to the worst horrors of the Western Front.

This novel provides a fictionalised character with a factual history. After reading Captain J C Dunn's 'The War the Infantry Knew' a few years ago, it more than supports Sassoons picture of war as experienced by his Battalion. Many of the comments in that book from peers of Sassoons tell a similar tale in a recognisable voice. This book is a classic, not to be dismissed as 'not typical' of the experience of the Great War. Anyone who believes this to be the case, should revisit their historical understanding of the period and its protagonists.

Brilliant account of war hero (5/5 people found this helpful)

Sassoon is without the doubt the god father of First World war poetry. He inspired fellow poets to pen some of the most compelling war poetry drawn from a new lexicon, purely of their own making.

This is Sassoon prose at its best, in which he describes the hell and boredom of war and vividly observing every day life whilst home on leave.

I like the way he understates his own heroism and the deep affection he shows towards the men in his care. If you like his poetry you will love this book.

The book leaves the reader asking what happened to the its subject post war without doubt the defining period of his life. It is clear that Sassoon never left the trenches and we should never ever forget the sacrifice his generation gave on our behalf. This wonderful book is a fitting tribute to the Great generation who smashed German militarism.

Don't bother (6/28 people found this helpful)

I absolutely detest not finishing a book, and it is a very rare occurrence (the last time was the Lord of the Rings trilogy in 1995, and in that case, I at least finished the first book, and chose not to read the other two), but this book drove me to it.

I've read many accounts of life in WW1, including fictional depictions like Birdsong (Sebastian Faulkes) and dramatised real-life accounts such as All Quiet on the Western Front (Erich Remarque). Although both of these books were fascinating, and included gritty accounts of experiences as well as an insight into the psychological condition of those involved - such as Remarque's detailed retelling of the time he spent trapped in the shell hole, or Faulkes story of life digging tunnels, I found Sassoon's book dull and rather detached.

Infact, Sassoon's book is so different from all of the other accounts that I have read, that had it been fictional, I would have given it 1 star for being completely unbelievable. The final straw was the mention of his and other officers' servants - it is very hard to sympathize with a pompous officer's fluid prose, when there are so many accounts of infantrymen, trench diggers and wire layers available.

All Quiet on the Western Front (ISBN: 0099532816) is a fantastic book, and I would highly recommend it. As for Sassoon's book; don't bother.

Fascinating account (19/19 people found this helpful)

I've read and re-read this book on and off for the past 20 years and it still never fails to move me. Sassoon offers us a window on life 90 years ago that has scarcely been matched (especially when taken in conjunction with the first book Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man). Incidentally, to find out more about the real events that inspired Sassoon to write, read "The War The Infantry Knew" by Captain J C Dunn (Sassoon's contemporary in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers and known as "Munro" in the book under discussion), in which Sassoon figures and which also contains an unedited first draft of one of the chapters from "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer". As the last old soldiers from the Great War die, it's worth reading this book just to remember what they went through.

Memoirs of an Infantry Officer (Faber Fiction Classics)

Siegfried Sassoon

Reader Reviews:

Part of an immense history (2/2 people found this helpful)

Understated and misunderstood (8/8 people found this helpful)

Brilliant account of war hero (5/5 people found this helpful)

Don't bother (6/28 people found this helpful)

Fascinating account (19/19 people found this helpful)

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