Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This is a very good book, one of the best that I've read in a long time. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author. I think this book was even better than the classic World War 1 "All Quiet on the Western Front". I will definitely reread this book, which is something I rarely do.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: I agree with the many five-star reviews I've read about this wonderful book. I read it several years ago after reading Helprin's "A Winter's Tale." "A Winter's Tale" is the only book I've ever read twice and may opt for a third go. If you enjoy these two, I strongly recommend "Antproof Case." It is quite different from the other two, but jsut as enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: increduble
Review: Got this book from a used book exchange while traveling in Central America. This is one of the best books I've ever read. A perfect book for travelers also as it long and is interesting and amusing from front to back. The only problem was getting out of my hamocka to do what I was there for.
Rating:
Summary: Why I Will Re-Read This Book (and I Never Re-Read Books)
Review: Let me start by saying that I scanned the other 67 reviews shown at the time of this writing. They amply describe all the emotions the book evoked in me.I read quickly and I read a lot of books; and it is very rare for me to re-read one. I have read "A Soldier of the Great War" twice: 4 years ago and 2 years ago. In a nutshell, to me, the book is about the human condition and living life. I belive that as a person grows and matures, they can read this book and enjoy it from a totally different perspective each time. When you read it now, 5 years from now, 10 years from now and 20 years from now you will be deeply struck by different parts of the book each time. The time gap between my first 2 reads was only 2 years, but in the interim our young daugher was diagnosed with autism. Dealing with this has been a crash course in life's challenges and responsibilities that I would not wish on anyone. I was definitely a different person at the time of the second reading and appreciated the book just as much from that differing perspective.
Rating:
Summary: I will never forget this book
Review: It's been six years since I read A Soldier of the Great War, just as I stood on the brink of being sent to Bosnia on a peacekeeping mission. It brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. In fact while on leave in Italy I HAD to visit Venice to see 'La Tempest' by Giorgio - this painting is an integral part of this book and to Alessandro's life. Once you have read this book, try Helprin's 'Refiner's Fire'. Helprin is a wonderful writer with a rare ability to touch one's self. I hope you are intrigued - please read it, especially if you have served in the military.
Rating:
Summary: a must read
Review: this wonderful book will stay with you long after you have regretfully put it down. it's about love, war, death, and life. almost ten years after i've read it i'm still haunted by it. one of these years i'm going to read it again, but i need more time between sittings. it's one of the very best books i have ever read and wish mr. helprin would write more like it. his 'antproof case' was a tragic letdown. i encourage anyone who wants to read a book that will enlighten and fascinate them to pick up this book. it's long and difficult in places, but well worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best of the century!
Review: Helprin's novel is among the best I have ever read: poignant, apropos, and deliciously detailed. You are taken on a journey that lasts a lifetime, a journey you wish would never end. You are so tightly drawn to the humanity of his characters that you feel your own mortality exposed to the terrors of hate, sudden brutality, and moral duty. But love conquers, even in the face of death. This book will change you. Beware. But don't miss this opportunity.
Rating:
Summary: Stunningly beautiful, monumental, a classic
Review: This is one of the greatest books I have ever read. It is incredibly beautiful, monumental in scope and emotionally powerful. It's subject is what it means to be alive. Helprin's soldier is a sensitive intellectual, trained in esthetics, who spends four years as a soldier, deserter and prisoner and experiences all the brutality and insanity of war. He loses everything external in his life, but never loses his sense of wonder over nature, his ability to love other people and his faith. The prose is brilliant, profound and reads like poetry. I love Helprin's work because while he understands the dark side of human nature, he is much more interested in human goodness. This is a book whose heart sings and spirit soars. I look forward to re-reading it.
Rating:
Summary: a classic
Review: This is the ultimate novel of Italy in WWI, with characters you will never forget. Alessandro and his fellow soldiers are so real to me, on some level I don't want to believe this is fiction. Helprin draws time and place with crystalline clarity.
Rating:
Summary: Mark Helprins perceptions of life are awe inspiring.
Review: I accidentally discovered this book at a garage sale for 50ยข, the cheapest piece of excellent entertainment I've bought in years. The book started a little slow but was written very well from the beginning, just a lot of backgrounding and then wow, it captivated me, I couldn't put it down and I will read it again. I'm trying to decide which of his books I'm going to read next. The characters are so real you become them. The scenery is awesome and the honor, romance, and sense of idealism portrayed in this book are second to none I've read.
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