The History Book Club discussion

This is the glossary thread for the book ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

This is a spoiler thread.


Erich Maria Remarque

Here are a number of sites that discuss All Quiet, including synopsis, discussion questions, and bio info about Remarque. Remember, this is a spoiler thread and THESE SITES HAVE SPOILERS:

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Quie...

SparkNotes: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/allquiet/

Cliffs Notes: http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/L...

SCORE Teacher Guide: http://www.sdcoe.net/score/all/alltg....

Discovery Education: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/tea...

I am surprised there is not more use of the glossary: there is a lot to discuss and show images of.

But here is something that was in today's news:

WWI underground: Unearthing the hidden tunnel war



Archaeologists are beginning the most detailed ever study of a Western Front battlefield, an untouched site where 28 British tunnellers lie entombed after dying during brutal underground warfare. For WWI historians, it's the "holy grail".

Here is the link to the full article replete with other diagrams, maps and photos.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13...

Thanks for the add, Bentley. We don't often hear much about the tunnelers of WWI. Weren't they called "sappers?" I think I've read that somewhere, but I can't remember where the name comes from.

Not sure but in the article they prefaced John Lane's name with sapper so I assume you are correct.

And you are welcome; a timely article.

According to wikipedia, "sapper" refers to all kinds of combat engineers, including bridge builders, demolition men, and road/airfield building and repair. The term refers to the earliest job of these men--to dig under the enemy lines and "sap" their strength.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapper

Very interesting tidbit. Thank you Elizabeth.

In German means "Sappen" a system of facilities to move closer to the enemy. It can be trenches or cover rolls. The soldiers were called "Sappeure". They built mines and explosives from, then they were called "Mineure". In the early German army sappers and miners were grouped among the "Pioniere" (pioneers).

Cool!