Erich Maria Remarque

Erich Maria Remarque is one of the most highly regarded authors of the 20th century. He wrote fiction and nonfiction, with his major works including the celebrated novel, All Quiet on the Western Front. Through his works, Remarque spread a message about the legacies of World War I and revealed the hidden emotions of a generation of people.

Remarque was born Erich Paul Remark to a family of modest means in Osnabrück, Germany in 1898. As a teenager he enlisted in the German army and served during World War I. It was his own personal experience of the war that deeply informed and shaped his writing. He was widely known both in Germany and abroad as an ambassador against war and militarism.

His first novel, All Quiet on the Western Front (Im Westen Nichts Neues), was based on his memories of the war. Published in 1929, it quickly became a best-seller and is renowned as one of the great works of World War I literature. It follows the story of a German soldier and gives a vivid portrayal of war’s brutality, destruction, and emotional toll.

Remarque wrote a number of other works in the years that followed. These included The Road Back (1931), Three Comrades (1936), and Arch of Triumph (1945). The novels featured characters who endured pain and difficulties, but who ultimately triumphed despite the odds. Remarque's works address universal themes such as love, loyalty, and friendship, as well as less usual ideas like the difficulty of communication in times of conflict.

In addition to his novels, Remarque also wrote several essays examining the state of European culture and politics. His 1937 essay “The Search For Peace” dealt with Germany’s growing military power, while his 1941 essay “The Reprieve” advocated non-violence. Remarque was among the earliest critics of the Nazis and their policies, putting him at great risk both personally and professionally.

In 1933, the Nazis targeted Remarque's books and declared them part of their “Degenerate Art” campaign. His works were banned and burned, and he was eventually forced to leave the country and move to the United States. Remarque continued to write in exile, but his works lacked the same energy and passion that had driven his earlier work.

Remarque’s literary influence and impact on culture and politics cannot be overstated. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest authors of the 20th century and his works remain widely read around the world. His works on war served to document a part of history and provided future generations with insight into what it was like to experience World War I. Remarque will be remembered for his anti-war stance and his timeless works that have shaped and influenced generations.