Over the Top
Over the Top
Book Brief
BetaBook • Nonfiction
Western Front • 1910s
2001
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Over the Top, Arthur Guy Empey shares experiences of an American serving with British forces during World War I. The narrative explores a soldier's journey through enlistment, training, and the harsh realities of trench warfare, highlighting resilience and camaraderie amidst the challenges of war.
Suspenseful
Gritty
Informative
Emotional
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
785 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Over the Top by Arthur Guy Empey provides a gripping firsthand account of World War I. Readers praise its vivid depiction of trench warfare and Empey's engaging storytelling. However, some criticize its romanticized view of war and lack of broader historical context. Overall, the book offers a compelling, albeit biased, soldier's perspective on the Great War.
Who Should Read Over the Top?
Readers who appreciate Over the Top by Arthur Guy Empey typically enjoy firsthand military accounts. Fans of All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque or War by Sebastian Junger would find it engaging for its vivid depiction of World War I trench warfare and soldier experiences.
785 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Over the Top by Arthur Guy Empey was first published in 1917, capturing the author's real-life experiences in the trenches of World War I as an American who enlisted with the British Army.
The book contributed to a surge of interest in war memoirs, partly due to Empey's straightforward and engaging storytelling combined with his unique perspective as an observer from America.
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Empey also became a silent film actor and director; he wrote and starred in the 1918 film adaptation of his book, titled Over the Top.
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Book • Nonfiction
Western Front • 1910s
2001
Adult
18+ years
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