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Four Weeks in the Trenches The War Story of a Violinist
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34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1915
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 28, 2020
A short gem about the first four weeks of WWI on the Austrian-Russian front, written by the Austrian composer of one of music's most famous gems, "Liebesleid" (Love's Sorrow) - for violin and piano (1905), on which the famous Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov made his (to my mind: most beautiful) improvisation for piano solo (1931). Read (four stars) Joe's excellent review for more relevant info. Audio version on Librivox and Youtube.
-(Audio 14:50 - 15:30) " For at six o'clock in the morning we were aroused, camp was broken up and we started on a forced march of twenty-two miles without a halt, during which we twice had to wade knee-deep through rivers. By midday most of the men were so exhausted that they could hardly crawl along. It was remarkable that the comparatively weaker and more refined city-bred people who had done little physical work in their lives, most of them being professional men, withstood hardships better than the sturdy and to all appearances stronger peasants. The only explanation being perhaps that the city-bred people, in consequence of their better surroundings and by reason of their education, had more will-power and nervous strength than the peasants."
- (23:15 - 26:05) Kreisler's trained musician's ear picks up the Doppler effect of the shells, enabling him to pinpoint the Russian artillery hidden from view.
- (1:00:14 -1:07:15) Fraternization between the Russian and Austrian soldiers reminiscent of Robert Graves' short (true) story "Christmas Truce". An emaciated and exhausted Russian officer and his orderly, waving the white flag, come over to the enemy trenches to beg for food for their starving men. Messengers are sent out through the Austrian lines, and the Austrian soldiers, themselves down to their last scraps of food, give up what little they have. To my mind the most moving part of this story.
-(Audio 14:50 - 15:30) " For at six o'clock in the morning we were aroused, camp was broken up and we started on a forced march of twenty-two miles without a halt, during which we twice had to wade knee-deep through rivers. By midday most of the men were so exhausted that they could hardly crawl along. It was remarkable that the comparatively weaker and more refined city-bred people who had done little physical work in their lives, most of them being professional men, withstood hardships better than the sturdy and to all appearances stronger peasants. The only explanation being perhaps that the city-bred people, in consequence of their better surroundings and by reason of their education, had more will-power and nervous strength than the peasants."
- (23:15 - 26:05) Kreisler's trained musician's ear picks up the Doppler effect of the shells, enabling him to pinpoint the Russian artillery hidden from view.
- (1:00:14 -1:07:15) Fraternization between the Russian and Austrian soldiers reminiscent of Robert Graves' short (true) story "Christmas Truce". An emaciated and exhausted Russian officer and his orderly, waving the white flag, come over to the enemy trenches to beg for food for their starving men. Messengers are sent out through the Austrian lines, and the Austrian soldiers, themselves down to their last scraps of food, give up what little they have. To my mind the most moving part of this story.
May 12, 2020
I was instantly intrigued when I found this book while browsing LibraVox, but I was also a little reluctant. I really wanted to know what that famous violinist thought about fighting in such a brutal war. Would his talents be a hindrance or a help? But, I still was afraid it would be a rather florid memoir filled with extraneous commentary. Obviously, I did no research and so didn’t realize it was less than one hundred pages long. Still, I hesitated.
Now I’m wishing I hadn’t. It was incredibly vivid without being gruesome, and deeply personal without being overly introspective. Kreisler is succinct and energetic in his style. You almost feel as if you simply listening to a friend tell you about his life. He doesn’t bury us with details of the broader war or politics. He just gives us his personal experiences. So for so short a book, it was very good.
It was also a very clean read. There was no swearing. Death and the dead are mentioned, but not described in detail.
Now I’m wishing I hadn’t. It was incredibly vivid without being gruesome, and deeply personal without being overly introspective. Kreisler is succinct and energetic in his style. You almost feel as if you simply listening to a friend tell you about his life. He doesn’t bury us with details of the broader war or politics. He just gives us his personal experiences. So for so short a book, it was very good.
It was also a very clean read. There was no swearing. Death and the dead are mentioned, but not described in detail.
September 26, 2021
A short gem about the first weeks of the Austrian-Russian clashes (1914) by the Austrian violinist and composer of one of the deservedly most famous gems of music, "Liebesleid" (Love's Sorrow - he also made "Liebesfreud" - Love's Joy) for violin and piano (1905).
June 15, 2012
One of those nifty little books that a historian or serious history buff could spend hours unpacking and analysizing. The author, an Austrian, experienced trench warfare on the Eastern Front as opposed to the more familliar experience of the Western Front. What struck me the most about this volume is the way the author captured the initial euphoria and national pride many people felt at the outbreak of war. Unlike the British war poets and Remarque, Kreisler never became jaded or bitter about his experience, or if he did, he didn't express those ideas here.
March 24, 2026
A first-hand account of the four weeks an Austrian Violinist spent in the trenches opposite the Russians during WW1.
A very short book. I liked the author's honesty as an artistic, sensitive person about his horror after one of their battles when he surveyed the field. He also tells of how his ear for music helped them locate the Russian artillery. The best part was his account of the kindness men on both sides showed one another — it poignantly demonstrated the senselessness of war.
Recommended to anyone interested in the World Wars.
A very short book. I liked the author's honesty as an artistic, sensitive person about his horror after one of their battles when he surveyed the field. He also tells of how his ear for music helped them locate the Russian artillery. The best part was his account of the kindness men on both sides showed one another — it poignantly demonstrated the senselessness of war.
Recommended to anyone interested in the World Wars.
July 4, 2018
World-renowned Austrian violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler is not the likeliest of candidates for having penned a gritty yet tender true-life account of life on the Eastern Front during the Great War, but that’s exactly what we have here.
This short and seemingly little known work covers four hellish weeks in August and September 1914 as Kreisler leads a battalion in combat against the Russians in Galicia.
At the outbreak of war, Kreisler finds himself in Switzerland, but soon receives word he is to report to Graz, where he will join up with the troops he has been assigned.
The early portion of the book details his journey to Graz, as he passes through Vienna and marvels at the enthusiasm for war that he sees everywhere. Crowds cheer in the streets as soldiers march by, young men elicit great swells of pride as they sign up for battle, a young recruit is mobbed as he tries to dine with his sweetheart. That this is a first-hand historical account rather than fiction is a treasure.
Before long however, Kreisler is revealing the horrors of war. One early encounter sees our author stand shoulder to shoulder with a fellow officer as, before their eyes, that officer’s dying son is carried away from the front lines.
“I remember saying that I had quite a medical knowledge and that it seemed to me his son was not mortally wounded, but he knew better. He never said a word, only a few minutes later: ‘He was my only hope.’ And I can’t express how ominous that word was sounded to me.”
Kreisler’s writing is at its strongest when he is relaying this human side of his experiences. Take this glorious passage: “It is astonishing how little actual hatred exists between fighting men. One fights fiercely and passionately – mass against mass – but as soon as the mass crystallises itself into human individuals whose features one can actually recognise, hatred almost ceases.”
There is a truly poignant account of a meeting of opposing soldiers exchanging gifts across no man’s land during the Battle of Lemberg, and of starving Russian soldiers visiting Austrian trenches to trade for food, and being gifted supplies by their enemies.
As Kreisler reflects: “It is wonderful how the most tender flowers of civilization can go hand in hand with the most brutal atrocities of grim modern warfare.”
But make no mistake, there is no romanticising of the conflict. Kreisler’s own active service – and this dispatch from the trenches – is cut short as he suffers horrible injuries when his unit’s trench is stormed. His heroic rescue reads like a Hollywood blockbuster ending.
It’s brevity, elegant prose, and subject matter should make this required reading for all.
This short and seemingly little known work covers four hellish weeks in August and September 1914 as Kreisler leads a battalion in combat against the Russians in Galicia.
At the outbreak of war, Kreisler finds himself in Switzerland, but soon receives word he is to report to Graz, where he will join up with the troops he has been assigned.
The early portion of the book details his journey to Graz, as he passes through Vienna and marvels at the enthusiasm for war that he sees everywhere. Crowds cheer in the streets as soldiers march by, young men elicit great swells of pride as they sign up for battle, a young recruit is mobbed as he tries to dine with his sweetheart. That this is a first-hand historical account rather than fiction is a treasure.
Before long however, Kreisler is revealing the horrors of war. One early encounter sees our author stand shoulder to shoulder with a fellow officer as, before their eyes, that officer’s dying son is carried away from the front lines.
“I remember saying that I had quite a medical knowledge and that it seemed to me his son was not mortally wounded, but he knew better. He never said a word, only a few minutes later: ‘He was my only hope.’ And I can’t express how ominous that word was sounded to me.”
Kreisler’s writing is at its strongest when he is relaying this human side of his experiences. Take this glorious passage: “It is astonishing how little actual hatred exists between fighting men. One fights fiercely and passionately – mass against mass – but as soon as the mass crystallises itself into human individuals whose features one can actually recognise, hatred almost ceases.”
There is a truly poignant account of a meeting of opposing soldiers exchanging gifts across no man’s land during the Battle of Lemberg, and of starving Russian soldiers visiting Austrian trenches to trade for food, and being gifted supplies by their enemies.
As Kreisler reflects: “It is wonderful how the most tender flowers of civilization can go hand in hand with the most brutal atrocities of grim modern warfare.”
But make no mistake, there is no romanticising of the conflict. Kreisler’s own active service – and this dispatch from the trenches – is cut short as he suffers horrible injuries when his unit’s trench is stormed. His heroic rescue reads like a Hollywood blockbuster ending.
It’s brevity, elegant prose, and subject matter should make this required reading for all.
March 31, 2020
The remarkable personal reminiscences of a highly educated masterful writer, who entered service in the Austrian army at the beginning of the First World War.
He begins with a description of his country's transformation in mood, and stirring of patriotism. The enthusiasm and haste of all to defeat the "enemy", Russia.
Not a professional soldier, he none the less obtains a rank of great responsibility, and yet writes with no admiration of himself, only others.
The detail with which he writes is admirable, at one point bringing me into his story to see a heartbreaking scene of the camaraderie of the opposing forces towards each other.
The manner with which he writes is also nearly void of opinion on who is the better side, maintaining a selflessness that impressed me.
It seems almost to be reading the diary of a very decent person, but shows the commonness of man in that when war threatens, people join together in favor of their country. Every country, through all time displays this. Also, the waste, and casual value towards life through the ages.
Another note I made to myself was that we in this day and age just cannot relate to the refined culture that existed at that time. We may pat ourselves on the back for our advancements, but it is hollow praise.
It is a short read/listen, and I do recommend this book to anyone teen or above.
He begins with a description of his country's transformation in mood, and stirring of patriotism. The enthusiasm and haste of all to defeat the "enemy", Russia.
Not a professional soldier, he none the less obtains a rank of great responsibility, and yet writes with no admiration of himself, only others.
The detail with which he writes is admirable, at one point bringing me into his story to see a heartbreaking scene of the camaraderie of the opposing forces towards each other.
The manner with which he writes is also nearly void of opinion on who is the better side, maintaining a selflessness that impressed me.
It seems almost to be reading the diary of a very decent person, but shows the commonness of man in that when war threatens, people join together in favor of their country. Every country, through all time displays this. Also, the waste, and casual value towards life through the ages.
Another note I made to myself was that we in this day and age just cannot relate to the refined culture that existed at that time. We may pat ourselves on the back for our advancements, but it is hollow praise.
It is a short read/listen, and I do recommend this book to anyone teen or above.
March 23, 2012
I respect this author as a musician and a person (I very much love his composition pieces for solo violin). That is why I chose to read this book.
It's inspiring, and it gives an intimate view of war from a thoughtful soul. It's hard to imagine living through the rough conditions Kreisler describes. It makes me more thankful for the veterans of our own Nation. I respect the men and women who have found courage to fight for freedom.
It's inspiring, and it gives an intimate view of war from a thoughtful soul. It's hard to imagine living through the rough conditions Kreisler describes. It makes me more thankful for the veterans of our own Nation. I respect the men and women who have found courage to fight for freedom.
August 22, 2023
This brief book provides a glimpse into the World War I military service of one of the greatest concert violinists of all time. It is full of the glorification of war that was common in 1915 and is written in the formal, somewhat overwrought style of that period. As a historical document, however, it is worth reading, with the understanding that society's views on many subjects change over time.
February 20, 2026
I enjoyed this brief narrative of the author's service during the opening month of World War I, while harboring serious doubts as to the authenticity of its too perfect anecdotes.
Fritz Kreisler served as a reserve officer in the Austro-Hungarian army. He led a platoon from its muster point in Graz in August 1914 until his injury during the Battle of Galicia in September 1914.
This book was published in April 1915 for an American audience. It was one of the first English-language publications covering the Eastern Front. The author was already a globally famous violinist and composer at the time of publication. The author was recuperating from his injuries in his wife's hometown of New York.
Every person in this book behaved with the utmost honor and patriotism. The generals were stalwart and inspirational. The soldiers were brave. Everyone who died in the book died proudly.
My doubts about this book began during the lengthy recounting of the colonel whose son died. The author meets the colonel and is immediately inspired by his gentlemanly manner and confident professionalism. The colonel shares that he has two sons who both serve in the army. A few minutes later a young officer is being carried to the rear in a stretcher. It happens to be the colonel's son! The son is injured while bravely defending a redoubt for 24 hours while heavily outnumbered. The father immediately realizes that his son's wounds are fatal. The author notices the colonel's distress and that he has hidden it from others. Later that day the colonel sends the author on a mission that will bring him close by the hospital where the son is staying. The author finds that the colonel's intuition is correct, his son has died. The author returns the son's property to the colonel. The colonel is stoic and accepts the property signifying that his son is dead. Later that night the author passes by the colonel's tent. The colonel has collapsed, weeping on the ground of his tent. The author puts a jacket on the colonel because it is cold. They never speak of it again. The colonel has aged 10 years in one night, but doggedly continues serving his country and his emperor.
I searched for the historiography of this book before writing this review. If there is evidence that the narrative is impeccable, then I would be happy to delete this review. It was a compelling read and it would be even better if it was true.
Fritz Kreisler served as a reserve officer in the Austro-Hungarian army. He led a platoon from its muster point in Graz in August 1914 until his injury during the Battle of Galicia in September 1914.
This book was published in April 1915 for an American audience. It was one of the first English-language publications covering the Eastern Front. The author was already a globally famous violinist and composer at the time of publication. The author was recuperating from his injuries in his wife's hometown of New York.
Every person in this book behaved with the utmost honor and patriotism. The generals were stalwart and inspirational. The soldiers were brave. Everyone who died in the book died proudly.
My doubts about this book began during the lengthy recounting of the colonel whose son died. The author meets the colonel and is immediately inspired by his gentlemanly manner and confident professionalism. The colonel shares that he has two sons who both serve in the army. A few minutes later a young officer is being carried to the rear in a stretcher. It happens to be the colonel's son! The son is injured while bravely defending a redoubt for 24 hours while heavily outnumbered. The father immediately realizes that his son's wounds are fatal. The author notices the colonel's distress and that he has hidden it from others. Later that day the colonel sends the author on a mission that will bring him close by the hospital where the son is staying. The author finds that the colonel's intuition is correct, his son has died. The author returns the son's property to the colonel. The colonel is stoic and accepts the property signifying that his son is dead. Later that night the author passes by the colonel's tent. The colonel has collapsed, weeping on the ground of his tent. The author puts a jacket on the colonel because it is cold. They never speak of it again. The colonel has aged 10 years in one night, but doggedly continues serving his country and his emperor.
I searched for the historiography of this book before writing this review. If there is evidence that the narrative is impeccable, then I would be happy to delete this review. It was a compelling read and it would be even better if it was true.
January 11, 2025
Published in 1915, early on in the war. As a citizen of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, he fought on the side of the Central Powers (Germany). Also, coming from there, he was involved on the Eastern Front, against Russia. Kind of interesting, as in when he writes about admiring the leaders who can accept their "basic" selves, rather than be bothered by their "neurotic" artistic selves (like himself).
And while there is a lot of rah-rah patriotism and good-feeling, he also does understand that both sides feel they are in the right.
He shares the one time that his musical background was of some help - by the way the shells from artillery sounded different going up, and coming down. Find the mid point, and you can spot the location of the artillery shooting the rounds!
Wounded, he only served the 4 weeks.
Interesting that this was published in America in 1915, and was, in reality, pro-Central Powers/Germany. I was unable to find out who "F. G." is, who wrote the Preface.
Of interest to WWI scholars, amateur and real. His stories of camaraderie with the enemy over lines after only a few days of facing off in the trenches is a bit worrisome, in that shortly thereafter you would have to be killing them!
3 out of 5. Short.
And while there is a lot of rah-rah patriotism and good-feeling, he also does understand that both sides feel they are in the right.
He shares the one time that his musical background was of some help - by the way the shells from artillery sounded different going up, and coming down. Find the mid point, and you can spot the location of the artillery shooting the rounds!
Wounded, he only served the 4 weeks.
Interesting that this was published in America in 1915, and was, in reality, pro-Central Powers/Germany. I was unable to find out who "F. G." is, who wrote the Preface.
Of interest to WWI scholars, amateur and real. His stories of camaraderie with the enemy over lines after only a few days of facing off in the trenches is a bit worrisome, in that shortly thereafter you would have to be killing them!
3 out of 5. Short.
October 30, 2023
This book is only 35 pages, but has one of the best descriptions of war I’ve ever read. I would have gladly read 350 pages of this and was sad when it ended so quickly. Despite being less than an hour to read, it has two incredibly unique anecdotes that I think are two of the best war anecdotes I’ve read of WWI.
February 12, 2025
Brief, superb, clear and modest account of the future great violinist's time on the front line of the Austrian Army in World War I. After participation in a few battles, he was injured in the leg and invalided out. Well-written.
January 5, 2020
He was lucky that he was in the war for only four weeks
February 6, 2021
Short story on an experience on the eastern front of WWI. Probably nothing that will stick with me, but a quick read.
November 28, 2021
Short but sweet.
April 16, 2022
Not the author i wanted to read-same title, different author. Did not read it.
Read
September 6, 2022Quite descriptive
June 6, 2024
Nice little book about the trench fights in the First World War written by a composer.
It showed in detail which physical and mental hardships they had to go through.
It showed in detail which physical and mental hardships they had to go through.
August 11, 2020
Although I doubt anyone comes to this book primarily as a source for historically rigorous commentary on WWI, it is safe to say this book is not what some such reader would be seeking out. Indeed the edition I read starts with a forward by the author apologizing for the potential inaccuracies that years of removal between the events of this account and its writing may have caused. That being said, “Four Weeks in the Trenches” is an enamoring look at the attitudes and conduct of the Austrian forces at the on set of the war.
Kreisler’s position as an officer during the events of the text, previously a reservist, and since having renounced his nationality to flee the holocaust, give him a wholly unique perspective. His remembrance of his brief experience of war is largely devoid of tribal bias, although he does recognize the nationalist atmosphere. As a result, “Four Weeks in the Trenches” avoids the revisionism of winers and losers (“The winers write the history books”), and instead provides a very straightforward account.
As a teenage history buff, this very much appealed to me, and my experience with this book has been very positive. The anecdotal tales of scenes from the front lines, the marching, the trenches, the hunger, and the interactions of officers all present a refreshingly direct recreation of the events. Although my appreciation for this book is no doubt link to my nostalgia for it, I cannot deny that it has stuck with me for the past several years. All and all, an informative and short read.
Kreisler’s position as an officer during the events of the text, previously a reservist, and since having renounced his nationality to flee the holocaust, give him a wholly unique perspective. His remembrance of his brief experience of war is largely devoid of tribal bias, although he does recognize the nationalist atmosphere. As a result, “Four Weeks in the Trenches” avoids the revisionism of winers and losers (“The winers write the history books”), and instead provides a very straightforward account.
As a teenage history buff, this very much appealed to me, and my experience with this book has been very positive. The anecdotal tales of scenes from the front lines, the marching, the trenches, the hunger, and the interactions of officers all present a refreshingly direct recreation of the events. Although my appreciation for this book is no doubt link to my nostalgia for it, I cannot deny that it has stuck with me for the past several years. All and all, an informative and short read.
March 13, 2014
Pretty interesting. The first memoir from the Austrian side of World War I´s Eastern Front. It was very short. The author was wounded and invalided after the first month of fighting. There is some well-written description of the action, battlefield imagery, the angst of coming first action, the first taste of blood, and the dejection accompanying the loss of his soldiers and his humanity.
I highly recommend this book. Had it been longer, it would´ve definitely rated more stars. Fritz Kreisler was a platoon-leader, any junior officer would value this book.
I highly recommend this book. Had it been longer, it would´ve definitely rated more stars. Fritz Kreisler was a platoon-leader, any junior officer would value this book.
February 27, 2021
A short read, detailing experiences as a soldier in the Austrian army during WW1, where he served a few weeks before being wounded in battle and mustered out of service. I don't pretend to know much about his musical career (this book is almost solely focused on those few weeks I mentioned) but based on his contribution to the arts I'm glad he survived to continue it.
October 27, 2012
The brief account of an Austrian (and later American) violinist called up to fight on the little-publicized Eastern front during the early days of WWI. This civilian artist experiences both the elation and eventually the disillusion of participating in an armed conflict.
March 2, 2017
Kreisler describes the four weeks he spent with the Austrian Army during the First World War. An excellent account of life on often neglected Eastern Front. A short book and it's available online.
May 29, 2012
Not much literary value, but an Interesting account of an Austrian soldier in the early days of the Great War on the Eastern Front.
October 16, 2012
Short and interesting but not great
June 6, 2013
Listened. It's a short but compelling story.
June 11, 2013
A short account of life on the Eastern Front during WWI. Would make a great companion read with Alls Quiet On The Western Front.
January 21, 2017
Interesting to get the Austrian perspective on WWI. And of course, I appreciated that it was written by Kreisler, which was indeed the reason I read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews