Book Recommendations

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Can anyone recommend any books in the same vein as 'All Quiet on the Western Front', ie from German soldiers' points of view during WW's 1 and 2? I'm happy to take recommendations for fiction and non-fiction.

I'm not looking for Nazi propoganda, or any writings that attempt to justify their actions (during WW2 in particular), but something that may give some insight into what motivated individual soldiers- eg did they all genuinely believe in Hitler's rhetoric, were they fighting for an ideal, or were they drafted/bullied, faced with no other choice considering the political climate.

I find that a lot of movies/tv tend to demonise German and Japanese forces (ie Saving Private Ryan, Pearl Harbour), and I don't for an instant believe their actions at the time are excusable, but these forces were made up of individuals who I'm sure didn't all share the same hive mind. I'd be interested to read anything that may prove/disprove my theory.

I apologise in advance if my curiosity offends anyone on the boards, I don't condone the actions of Germany and Japan during WW2, my curiosity extends more to figuring out individuals' motivation.

[Deleted]

I've read a lot of WWII stuff, but the only thing I can think of close to what you're looking for would be "The Pianist"--yes, the book that the movie is based on. At the end of the book there are journal entries from the German officer who saved the author's life by not handing him over to the Gestapo and giving him food while he was hiding out in the ruins right before the war's end. I'd recommend the book anyway, it is a very powerful read. But it's not exactly the type of book you're looking for.

[mares]

So, I am leaving in about six weeks to study in Florence for four months, and I need some good book recommendations for all of the time I will be traveling. I'm really not that picky - to give you a sense of the kind of books I like, I'm currently reading Dave Eggers' You Shall Know Our Velocity!, and I love anything by him, or Jonathan Safran Foer, or David Sedaris. Also, any travel-related books or anything else I might enjoy reading while in Italy would be great. If anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

[speciousreasoning]

EvilMinion:
If you can handle it (re: Nazism, etc), try to read "Mein Kampf" by Adolf Hitler. It's tedious, rambling, and kind of boring, but there is such a pervasive amount of evil, it will come as no surprise to you that Germany ended up the way it did. That's not really what you're looking for re: Nazism and such, but still, alway good to go to the source of it all.
There's also a book called "The Twilight of Courage" by Bodie and Brock Thoene. It is Christian fiction. Bodie and Brock Thoene are historians and they try very hard to show several German soliders as people and how torn many of them are about their duty. But if you're in any way opposed to reading a book written by two Christians, then don't read this one.
"Schindler's List" is very good, but it is a little dry.
Any book about the trials of Nuremberg can give you an idea of what Herman Goring was thinking as well as other high ranking Nazis.

[smitten]

Since it's getting to be that time of year, can anyone recommend any good old fashioned scary stories. The kind that make you jump out of your skin if someone approaches you while you're reading it?

I loved The Shining, but am pretty much tapped out on the rest of Stephen King's stuff. Have read The Exorcist, House on Haunted Hill and a few TERRIBLE books by Peter Straub and Clive Barker -- so now I need advice on where to look next!

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The Omen is probably the scariest thing I've ever read.

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I Am Legend isn't scary scary but it's a good book for Halloween time. Especially if you get the copy with all the short stories after it. They're all spooky and Twilight Zone-ish.

Someone once highly recommended House of Leaves but I thought it was horrible. Entirely too pretentious. Way too long and too complicated to be scary. Also, after I tried to read it I would ask my reader friends "Hey, have you ever read House of Leaves?" and they would say "Oh, you mean Leaves of Grass?" No. I mean House of Leaves. This happened all the time and it increased my annoyance for this book.

[smitten]

Definitely a good place to start! Thanks guys.

[Deleted]

A little late, but thanks for the replies stargirl and speciousreasonging!

[Deleted]

I'm looking for a book to purchase for a grade 9 English course in a Canadian high school. Ideally, it would feature a male hero, and bonus if it's multicultural (i.e. not about a white American or Canadian).

Any recommendations?