This is a book that marked me permanently and is expected to become a "classic" of the genre ... Maufrais Louis is a young medical student when the Great War broke out and forced him to join the front and trenches where, for four years, he will rub shoulders with death "feet in the mud and his hands in the blood," the Argonne at the Chemin des Dames, through the Champagne or Verdun. During periods of calm, which is extremely rare, it takes not only notes but mostly pictures, wisely inserted at times when it is discussed in the story (although here one can regret the pocket format, which quite night in the impact of precious documents). Brilliantly foreword by Marc Ferro, the book is also presented by Martine Veillet, the granddaughter of Louis Maufrais, which achieved an extraordinarily useful research work around his grandfather entourage during the war and which restores us the all sincere and very touching way. It tells us for example that Louis Maufrais always wanted to leave a trace of "his" war by publishing his notes and photos. But having waited too long and there are virtually no light, he decided to record his testimony on cassettes (16 cassettes of 90 minutes !!) The testimony of Louis Maufrais is valuable, certainly, but not only. It makes sense, always at ground level and can even demonstrate very fine humor or cynicism. At the time of the victory parade, far from rejoicing with a crowd that has not experienced hell he is miraculously returned, Louis thinks the dead buddies or missing. His last words sum up his mood of the moment.... "Everyone went celebrate the victory a great silence reigns The time has come to collect me, for all my friends The war is over but, for me, nothing will ever be the same again. " All is said ... Buy this book eyes closed, it is a must read.
