All Quiet on the Western Front

Muller's straightforward, simple delivery underscores the horror and hopelessness depicted in Remarque's powerful WWI novel. Germany's Iron Youth, represented by Paul Baumer and his friends, begin the war as teenagers sure of the justice of their cause and the glory that will be theirs. When these young men are confronted with trench warfare, dying in hellish agony, Paul must face the reality in which he finds himself and prepare for the world to which he will return, irrevocably changed. Reading with a calm, quiet sureness, which heightens the soul-destroying nightmare of Paul's ordeal, Muller's stunning performance demonstrates the reason for his huge following. Recommended by many high schools, this is a must for young adults. S.G. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Mike Vendetti narrates this classic WWI story, told from a German soldier's point of view. Paul endures all the brutalities of the Great War that we can imagine--and those that we cannot. Vendetti's deep pitch and rhythmic cadence mirror the random, horrific trajectory of Paul's experiences with trench warfare. Every moment in this story, the good and bad, illustrates the life of a soldier. Paul's thoughts on humanity and attempts to understand his place in the new and terrifying battle-scarred Europe spill forth in each chapter. Vendetti's tone reflects the indifferent spirit of the Great War itself, which follows Paul wherever he goes and does not soon leave him--or the listener. N.R.S. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine