All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is a suspense filled War novel that describes in detail the horrors of World War I in Germany. The commonly misconstrued thoughts about the war are quickly reversed by instances depicted to perfection, and the reader feels a sense of fear for the soldiers for the majority of the novel. The theme that Remarque portrays is one of the devastating horrors the war brings to young men who do not deserve it. He brings to life the harsh trench-warfare scene and many times states that no man should ever have to go through that. Remarque also ties in many smaller sub topics within the theme to display other characteristics not usually noticed by people not involved directly in the War. Ideas like comradeship and the feeling of indifference are greatly used to show a more accurate depiction of what life as a soldier was really like during this awful time.
Although this book is not a biography, or necessarily based on a true story, the events that happen and detailed scenes are something that Erich Remarque had witnessed. Remarque was a soldier during the first World War and actually had a stint on the front at one time. This is important knowledge for the reader to have, because although the main character is not Remarque himself, many of the instances told are things that Remarque said personally witnessed. The fact that Remarque was in the army only adds more belief into the reader about the horrific events that take place in the story.
The novel is set at the beginning of World War I. The soldiers who have just enlisted in the army together are all younger than twenty years of age, but to themselves and other recruits, they describe themselves as seasoned veterans. Paul Baumer is the main character and narrator in the novel and spills numerous stories from the vantage point of an actual solider who lived through all the difficult obstacles involved in the War.