Maurice Genevoix, Ceux de 14 (The Men of 14)

Abstract

Genevoix, The Men of 14. Well received at the time, the five volumes of Genevoix’s memoirs are established as a monument of French literature. Written with a powerful eye for detail, they show how he came to understand the importance of solidarity among combatants. Much of the text is not about battle, but about the experience of the war as a whole, which allows him to build up a convincing portrait of war as a way of life. While always a patriot, he also became convinced that French military tactics resulted in the massive waste of lives.

Ceux de 14 is the collective title of the five volumes of his memoirs, originally published separately.