The Young Lions: A Novel (Phoenix Fiction)

I read it on Kindle. As others have noted there are some typos in the Kindle version. I was having trouble understanding what one character meant when he saw an "expensive expression" on the face of another character. That phrase was repeated several times and was puzzling. I finally realized that Shaw had probably written "pensive" expression (the character in question was a bit moody at times). But the typos are just a nit to pick. I've seen worse every day in the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times--and even occasionally in the Wall Street Journal which has the best editors and copyreaders in the business.So let's get to the book--which is a good one. First it's one of the "big books" that came out immediately after WW II. It's in good company, and can certainly hold its head up among "The Thin Red Line", "The Naked and The Dead", "From Here To Eternity" and "The Caine Mutiny". There are and were other great books about WW II, but clearly "The Young Lions" merits inclusion in the first rank of those books. And it's a "big book" in another way. My Kindle reader shows page numbers, and I think there were more than 670 pages in this book. So it's big in that way.Shaw is a good writer, and the narrative flows along and is both easy and enjoyable to read. Along the way Shaw creates dozens of entirely believable characters. While I say the narrative flows, Shaw writes in a slightly dated and somewhat florid style. I didn't mind that--I simply realized that it might take Shaw a few more pages to get to the point than the modern slam bang action or procedural novel author of today.The novel covers a 7 year time period; and covers geography from Austria to Germany, to France, North Africa, New York City and its theatre and arts scene, Southern California and the Hollywood industry, basic training in Florida, and life in London. That's a lot to cover and Shaw does it well.Shaw was a successful short story writer for The New Yorker in the mid 1930's and was very much a part of the theatre, publishing and arts scene in Manhattan at the time. His depiction of one of his characters and the milieu in which he travelled reminded me just how many well intentioned folks were members of the Communist Party or were Communist sympathizers at the time of the Spanish Civil War. So that's a valuable historical reminder. Shaw himself came under suspicion and decamped to Europe and Switzerland in 1951 where he continued to churn out successful novels and television screen plays until his death.

The stories were wonderfully written. Myself enjoying world war 2 stories immensely and this is one of the top 10 books. Even I have some thoughts about this book. The author put those three men at their own different pace. That’s good and bad obviously but not something to be concerned about at all. I mean the author spent two on a lot of background building. Instead of during the war but it was still plenty...I would love to see him write the pacific theater version.

One of the grittiest, most vivid accounts I’ve ever read of WWII. Though it’s a novel, Shaw was there and experienced first hand the grisly sights and sounds of battle. The final, slow-moving chapter was painful to read, but exquisitely crafted.

I read this book before, but I'm reading it again, and it's still amazingly good. Obviously Irwin Shaw wrote it with the inspiration that maybe can come only once in a lifetime. Inspired is a good description both of the stories of the three men and of the writing. I was born in 1938 in Los Angeles, so I was there, then, but I was never really 'there' until I read this book.

When men and women of all socio-economic levels enlist or are drafted to fight in a war for their country, and later witness atrocities that are everyday occurrences and are forced to commit crimes that burden their conscience with indelible memories, their lives can change forever. Such is the case of Christian, Noah and Michael in The Young Lions by Irwin Shaw.Christian is a womanizing, egotistical German ski instructor in his twenties who was bored with his life and joined Hitler’s army to travel and have a good time. Noah is a young, idealistic Jew who enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19 because he felt it was the right thing to do. Michael is disillusioned with his job and America. In his mid-thirties he decides to no longer dodge the draft. He joins the army, not to fight, but to find purpose in his life.There were many supporting characters who were equally memorable, but too numerous to describe. I actually liked the author’s writing style more than the characters themselves. In most cases, they were not admirable or inspirational. They were survivors. It was wartime, World War II, with the fear of death as a constant companion. Mid-way through the book, however, I began reluctantly to care about certain Young Lions and empathized with their dire situations. The author was adept at creating their stories and trapping the reader in their conflicts. I was most impressed with the author’s literary writing style: Use of the narrator’s voice filled with fiery prose and allusions to the arts, literature and history, sometimes bordering on poetry with rhythm and carefully chosen words and thoughts arranged in clusters and patterns; detailed descriptions, unique analogies and imagery, heart wrenching internal monologues, and dialogue that was both memorable and appropriate for the diverse characters.Shaw is excellent at creating suspense and anxiety at the end of each chapter which eventually led to a nerve-wracking, hold-your-breath, shocking end. An extraordinary read that will hold you captive until the end.

Morbid story about three weak, shabby, alcoholic young men. There is no protagonist or inspiring characters in this book, just an inventory of three lowlives in American and German societies during WW2. If you are entertained by this kind of sordid bedroom slumming it's a book for you.

Being a history buff, I have read many non-fiction books about WWII, but I thought this work of fiction really captured the down and dirty essence of war as seen through the eyes of ordinary soldiers. Be advised, it is a long book but well worth the time it takes to read it. Actually, I had to keep telling myself it was fiction. Intertwining the story of a German soldier as well as the American ones was a great concept. Shaw must have seen some of the war first hand and possibly have been discriminated against as was Noah in the book. I highly recommend this book.

I was pleased overall with this item. It arrived as described and even earlier than promised. Very satisfied with this Seller.

I got curious after having read Norman Mailer.I prefer Irwin Shaw's bokk, as he describes all his characters with a incredible plasticity.Days after having read his book, I still feel like being part of it all.

Eccezionale. .scritto benissimo. .attuale oggi come quando fu scritto. Una descrizione delicata ed esatta dei sentimenti di chi è costretto a combattere. Visto da la prospettiva dell'amico e del 'nemico '.

I enjoyed Shaw's writing, fine characters, little details only an experienced writer would include. I did find it factually incorrect as he keeps referring to Jewish extermination camps which historically no one knew about until the end of the war.

excellent