The Great War and Modern Memory (by Paul Fussell)

"The Great War and Modern Memory" by Paul Fussell examines how World War I profoundly changed literature, language, and cultural perceptions. Fussell analyzes war poetry, stories, and imagery to show how the brutal reality of trench warfare challenged romantic notions of heroism, leading to a more honest, disillusioned outlook. The book highlights how the war's traumatic experiences reshaped collective memory and language, influencing future views on conflict and human endurance. Ultimately, Fussell demonstrates that WWI's unprecedented horrors transformed Western understanding of war’s meaning and memory.