The Revolt Of Gunner Asch

Gunner Asch #1

by Hans Hellmut Kirst

Book is used and has been withdrawn from service from a Library. Book has a Library Binding and the usual Library Stamps, Stickers, Card Holder, Library Markings. May or May Not have a Dust Jacket.

Genres: Fiction, War, World War II, Historical Fiction, Humor, Germany, German Literature

311 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

A veteran from WW II, he wrote various novels focused on military life and the corruption in the army.


Hans Hellmut Kirst, der international erfolgreichste deutsche Autor der Nachkriegszeit, wurde am 5. Dezember 1914 in Osterode in Ostpreußen als Sohn eines Gendarmeriebeamten geboren. Von 1933 bis 1945 diente Kirst als Berufssoldat. Mit seiner später verfilmten Romantrilogie „08/15“, seinen Welterfolgen „Fabrik der Offiziere“ und „Die Nacht der Generäle“ fand Hans Hellmut Kirst auch literarisch große Anerkennung.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original reviews calling this "the German Catch-22" do a bit of a disservice to the book, as they mislead readers into thinking this is a surreal comic extravaganza like Joseph Heller's monumental work. This book deals indeed with the absurdity ever present in military life, but it does so in a much more realistic and less antic way. Like Heller's Yossarian, Gunner Asch of the German army is acutely aware of the paralyzing stupidity inherent in military bureacracy and sets out to do something individual and self-affirming in opposition. But the adventures of the hero of Hans Hellmut Kirst's novel are mellow and low key by comparison. There is little that is laugh-out-loud funny in this book. Rather it is a gently amusing story, with a compelling, quiet drive that ends in a subtle but very satisfying punchline. I look forward to reading the follow-up books about Asch's further adventures.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read and 'enjoyed' other books by German author Hans Hellmut Kirst, The Night of the Generals, Hero In The Tower, etc. He offers an interesting perspective on war, the Nazi army, etc. The Revolt of Gunner Asch is the first of a series of books featuring German artillery gunner, Herbert Asch.

The story is set pre-WWII and Asch is assigned to a military base in a small town in Germany. He's in love with Elizabeth Freitag who works in one of the messes on base. Asch's father owns a bar in town. Asch is a somewhat lazy soldier, getting by on his wits and good nature. But gradually he becomes irritated with the way his leadership treats the soldiers under them, especially Sgt Major Schulz. Schulz wants all of his subordinates under his thumb. He abuses his wife Lore, who now seeks attention from Schulz's subordinates, superiors, anybody. Schulz also tries to control his bosses with sycophantic displays.

When Asch's comrade in arms, Gunner Vierbein, a mild-mannered somewhat of a pushover, soldier, is driven to attempt suicide after an abuse campaign from Schulz, Asch begins a revolt, an attempt to upset the equilibrium in the camp and German army. An interesting story becomes more interesting with Asch's campaign, along with a bit of help from one or two of Asch's compatriots.

It's an interesting story one with a perspective I don't often sample. I liked Asch, his personality, strength of character and his attitude. I liked his compatriot Lance Corporal Kowalski, an outspoken, trustworthy trouble-maker. I liked Asch's girlfriend, Elizabeth, a strong woman, who loves Asch and when she realizes what he's up to, steps in to try and keep him out of trouble. Lt Wedelmann, a young officer, who starts off the story as a lonely, friendless young officer, under Schulz's thumb, shows the most growth by story's end. All in all, an entertaining strory, offering a nice perspective of life in a German army camp and of the surrounding community. (3 stars)

[Kamil Bryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

“08/15 w koszarach” określa się często mianem niemieckiego “Paragrafu 22”. Jako że dzieło Hellera zajmuje specjalne miejsce w moim serduszku, zasiadłem do lektury z dużymi oczekiwaniami. Nie zawiodłem się, choć po zapoznaniu się z książką Kirsta zgadzam się z tym porównaniem tylko częściowo.

Koszary jednostki artylerii Wehrmachtu, końcówka lat 30. Bombardier Asch próbuje przetrwać swój turnus najmniejszym możliwym kosztem, co przez większość czasu udaje mu się wyśmienicie. Sytuacja zmiania się, gdy wskutek szalonego zbiegu okoliczności obiektem nienawiści całego korpusu podoficerskiego staje się kanonier Vierbein, co doprowadza nieszczęśnika na skraj psychicznej i fizycznej wytrzymałości. Asch postanawia pomścić kolegę rozsadzając koszarową machinę od środka.

“08/15 w koszarach” to żołnierska komedia. Wiele scen to komizm sytuacyjny uwypuklający różne absurdy koszarowego życia. Vierbein ciągle wpada w jakieś tarapaty, pełno tu kąśliwych uwag, szyderstwa z nazistów, niemieckiego mieszczaństwa i jego hipokryzji. Galeria postaci jest barwna, choć próżno szukać głębokich psychologicznych portretów. Wszyscy bohaterowie, z nielicznymi wyjątkami, są dość jednowymiarowi, ale nie jest to zarzut - każdy z nich pełni w powieści określoną funkcję. Książka bardzo przypominała mi pod tymi względami “C.K. Dezerterów”, jeden z moich ulubionych filmów, dlatego bawiłem się podczas lektury znakomicie.

Jak już wspomniałem, książkę zestawia się często z “Paragrafem 22”. Porównanie ma jak oczywiście sens - zarówno Kirst jak i Heller pokazują trudy i niedorzeczności żołnierskiej doli. “08/15 w koszarach” jest jednak moim zdaniem bardziej stonowany, przyziemny, zdecydowanie mniej tu emocjonalnej kolejki górskiej, jaką fundują czytelnikom przygody Yossariana. Nie świadczy to jednak o wyższości jednej książki nad drugą, ot, zwyczajna różnica, która nie przeszkadza cieszyć się lekturą. Warto jednak mieć ją na uwadzę, gdy sięgamy po “08/15”.

Wszystkim serdecznie polecam, sam z pewnością sięgnę w przyszłości po kolejne części serii.

[La Stamberga dei Lettori]

Un libro eccezionale, purtroppo ormai reperibile quasi esclusivamente su Internet. Si tratta del primo libro di una trilogia che prende il suo nome (08/15) da un fucile in dotazione all'esercito tedesco, celebre per la sua tendenza ad incepparsi. Per questo motivo, il termine 08/15 è diventato sinoninmo, nel gergo militare, di "inaffidabile" e "ribelle"...

http://ghettodeilettori.blogspot.com/...

[Bogdan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so funny as the covers make it out to be, but it has it`s sarcastic moments. And being written by a survivor of the WW2 it`s enhancing it`s aura a little bit.
But overall I`m a little fed up up the presence of the anti Nazi characters in some of the ulterior Nazi regime, not because I do`t think that they didn`t exist, but I`m guessing that they were a little bunch and in that time weren`t so open minded with everybody around them.

[Ralph Neville · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice little book. I served in the U. S. Army so I knew some of the characters. And they do make you do some really stupid things, mostly during basic training so I could related to it a little. I think I'll look for another book by Kirst.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libro trovato per caso e che consiglio, l'autore, un veterano tedesco della seconda guerra mondiale, in questo primo volume della trilogia sul caporale Asch racconta la vita di caserma della Wermacht nel 1938. Una vita fatta di obbedienza cieca, soprusi e ingiustizie, una critica antimilitarista da chi ha vissuto quelle situazioni e quegli anni.
Sicuramente leggerò gli altri due volumi in cui viene raccontata la seconda guerra mondiale nelle file tedesche e il dopo guerra.
Lo stile é scorrevole ma ovviamente datato per un lettore odierno, lo valuto 4 stelle perché vale la pena sentire questo punto di vista a mio parere.

[Mateusz Nowowiejski · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. Wróciłem do Kirsta po wielu latach i muszę przyznać, że znakomicie się go czyta. Nie jest to proza zbyt innowacyjna w formie czy treści, ale to świetna książka antywojenna. A bombardier Asch został wpisuję się w poczet moich ulubionych bohaterów literackich.

[Bruno Borges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Estive quase para deixar o livro a meio - o que em mim, é raro - mas aquilo leva uma volta no final e acabei por gostar. Trata a revolta dum soldado que decide sabotar a vida militar. Confesso que comprei este livro, em parte, pela belíssima capa de Otelo Azinhais. Não conhecia o autor.

[Piotr · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting book in my opinion, I don’t like history but this is exception. So many adventures of group of soldiers in Deutsch army in WW II, I read all trilogy and only what can I say it’s , have fun with reading this amazing books.

[Mattia Lojero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un affresco del militarismo prussiano in chiave fortemente ironica. Ho apprezzato il libro e lo consiglio, si legge in maniera agile e si fa apprezzare.

[Legens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining satire of military life, not specific to Nazi Germany.

[Chiefdonkey Bradey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satire from a cruel time

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kwam een beetje traag op gang, maar een heel goed boek.

[Hko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het leven in een Duitse kazerne in de jaren 1930. Sfeer, mentaliteit en (niet-stereo)typische karakters maken een geloofwaardig verhaal, je waant je zo een van de soldaten.

[Amaral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to know that not everyone was in agreement and was willing to defy the beginning of the Nazi ideology. even though some of them ended up fighting the war anyway...

[Bobby D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I last read “The Revolt of Gunner Asch” while in the Army in 1969.
Then subsequently read most of Kirst’s books about the German Army, the most notable being “Night of the Generals” which was made into a bad movie staring Peter O’Toole. “Revolt” is Kirst’s first book and looks at a German Army company during the 1930s much the way “Here to Eternity” did for the US Army before Pearl Harbor. Kirst book has been called by many reviewers the “Catch 22” of the German Army.
Ashe has the rank of Gunner which is like a private in the US Army. He is in the process of being promoted to Corporal. He is self-conflicted by his hatred of Army life and especially the shameful treatment old line “lifer” NCO give the troops. The focus of this hatred is a Master Sergeant Schultz who also has a hard time controlling the wandering eye of his new wife. Much of the early half of the book is about the company men and the women in their lives; and an unaccounted for six bullets from the days target practice.
Then Asch decides to revolt by showing up the hypocrisy of the NCOs and their shameful orders. He begins to take his orders literally while two-gun shots mysterious just miss Sergeant Schultz’s head. Were they shot by Ashe from the unaccounted-for ammunition? It would be embarrassing for the troop CO to discipline Ashe since he had just approved Ashe’s promotion to Corporal. The solution is that no sane person would suddenly become so disrespectful and so willfully challenge good discipline that Ashe must have some kind of mental disorder. Off Ashe is sent to the Army Surgeon for just that diagnosis. The fun of the book’s conclusion is to see how the whole of military structure is a sham and can not handle bad publicity that might reflect poorly on their own careers.
I enjoyed re-reading this and it brought back memories on how helpful it was dealing with my own experiences with the thin veneer of Army hypocrisy in the name of discipline.
There are three sequels to this Asch book. The next is “Forward Gunner Asch”. I am not sure if this book is still being published but you may find it used on the internet or at a used book store.

[Chris Gager · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good example of a book I wouldn't be reading if it weren't for the "stuff" trailer at our local transfer station. I have a substantial pile of books I "rescued" from there. When I saw this one it rang some kind of memory bell so I grabbed it and added it to the pile. And now it's time to read it. Just got started last night. I'll continue tonight after I read the Alice Munro story in my latest New Yorker. Day two and about halfway through. Funny now to look back at the 50's and 60's and see how publishers liked to put sexy-looking covers on books even when there was little-to-no sex in the actual book. So far it's a cross between "Catch-22" and "From Here to Eternity". No mention of anti-semitism so far. Walking a fine line between farce and brutality... Day three and it's kind of reminding me of "Hogan's Heroes" too. The bad guy is even named Sgt. Schultz! I guess that Gunner Vierbein and the Sergeant's wife are stand-ins for the Jews. The objects of punishment, harassment and bullying. Now finished with this well-written but somewhat slight book. I wonder what the reaction in Germany was when it was published. I guess it was pretty popular and helpful with Germans looking to move away from the authoritarianism of the Prussian past. Still, from the perspective of 45 years later not a big deal. 3 1/2 stars...

[gargamelscat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and liked a lot of Kirst in college - there happened to be a lot of used paperbacks available - I had higher expectations of this, one of his higher profile ones.

Asch turned out to be rather a flimsy hero in the last part of the book, the depiction of Elisabeth didn't work for me (OK this is so way before feminism I am not sure what to expect, but it seemed a bit cliched and not really a character in her own right).

I'd rate it 3.5 rather than 4 - but taking into account that I saw the end during proof-reading the OCR'd version during conversion which is never helpful.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Gunner Vierbein is driven to near suicide by the sadistic treatment of N.C.O.'s, Asch decides to launch a one man revolt against the Wehrmacht -- complicated by his falling in love with a local girl. Kirst's Asch is one of the most completely human protagonists in all of the WWII books I have read.

[Alberto Martínez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hubiera querido que se profundizara mucho más en los personajes secundarios que tan bien definidos fueron por el autor. Tan genial novela que quisieras que nunca terminara. O encontrar nuevas historias de las sub tramas.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of Funny.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a funny look at the Germany Army during WWII. It is not about the Nazis or the SS. Most of the things that happened to Gunner Asch could and probably has happened in every Army.

[Lysergius]

One wonders if this sort of behaviour would have been tolerated in the Wehrmacht? I suspect he would have been summarily executed. Still it makes good reading...

[Elalma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romanzo antimilitarista che si svolge in una caserma tedesca alle soglie della seconda guerra mondiale. La lettura � piacevole, se a tratti un po' noiosa.

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good example of a very well written book. Actually, I rated it 4.5. I see it as an universal book about army.

[Jielus Kuijntjes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooi verhaal dat van Duitse soldaten mensen maakt. Intriges in een kazerne net voor de tweede wereld oorlog.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, I recognized many of the characters from my time in the US Army in the late 1980's! Apparently soldiers are a universal breed. Great book by one of my favorite authors.