While many novels contain profound truths, often these truth are not accepted, either when the novel is written or at a later date.  This often results in a novel being published, only to be banned by one government or another at a later date, or to find its way into the halls of fame years or even decades after its publication.  All Quiet on the Western Front, written by Erich Maria Remarque in the 1920s, is an excellent example.  The novel follows the experiences of a young German man, Paul Bäumer, from the time he and several friends join the German army voluntarily during World War I.

Inspired by the patriotic speeches of a teacher, Paul and his friends voluntarily enlist in the German army during World War I.  Paul and his friends undergo ten weeks of brutal training, tormented by Corporal Himmelstoss.  Transitioning from this to the brutality of war sours the dream of glory and honor, revealing the concept of patriotism as mere words used to inspire young men, but meaning nothing when confronted with the reality of war.

Over the weeks and months that follow, Paul begins to realize that the soldiers they are fighting are no different than he and his friends.  Talk begins between the friends.  One speculates that if the officers were forced to eat the same food and were paid the same as the other soldiers, wars would end more quickly.  Another argues that leaders should fight it out with clubs.  All agree that those who come into power become arrogant during war, never having to risk injury themselves by sending young men such as Paul and his friends to fight in their stead.

The Nazi’s at the beginning of World War II banned this novel and its sequel, The Road Back.  With the truths the novels revealed about the nature of war, it is easy to understand why the Nazis wouldn’t want them being read.  The banning of books doesn’t just happen for political reasons, but for alleged community morality standards.  Essays on the reasons for such banning and the effects novels like this have on society and the decisions we make can be challenging to write.  Fortunately our staff of professional writers loves such challenges.  Students can take advantage of this fact by placing a simple order through our privacy protecting Internet system.  We look forward to your order.

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come. (Rev 18:10)

For many decades our society has lived in fear of the prospects of atomic and nuclear war. The 1959 novel, “Alas, Babylon,” epitomizes this fear by presenting a fictional atomic attack and its aftermath. Set in Central Florida (within 100 miles of Orlando), Alas, Babylon depicts the effects that a limited atomic attack might have on the survivors, from a near-total breakdown of social order and civilized infrastructure to the devastating effects of radioactive exposure.

Alas, Babylon is made incredibly believable by the inclusion of scientifically sound details such as the retinal-burn injury experienced by the main character’s niece (who has the misfortunate to be looking in the direction of an atomic blast when it happens, temporarily blinding her) and the effects of radioactive exposure upon one of their neighbors (who looted gold jewelry from a store in an abandoned, contaminated town he had passed through).

I first read Alas, Babylon as a freshman in high school. Though, as students, we had been trained in “duck and cover” drills, Alas, Babylon brought the threat of atomic attack and its potential consequences into clear focus. Though written before the full effects of electromagnetic pulses and nuclear winter were understood, Alas, Babylon is otherwise extremely realistic and frighteningly accurate, though also hopeful in that it depicts such an attack as survivable by many.

• Taking into consideration the new understandings we have on nuclear winter and electromagnetic pulses, how might the novel Alas, Babylon differ if written today? What scenes might become obsolete with the inclusion of this new knowledge?
• How have novels like Alas, Babylon affected our understanding of the atomic and nuclear threat today? Have the novels been a benefit or a detriment to our society?
• In the shadow of the arms race between 1959 and now, has the potential for survival of an atomic attack depicted in Alas, Babylon changed and if so, in what ways? Are you living somewhere you believe might survive such an attack and why do you believe it is or is not?

Though the threat of atomic and nuclear attack is far from over, students face a more immediate threat – that of maintaining academic achievement. Analytical essays and opinion papers on topics such as Alas, Babylon can be a challenge in this struggle, occasionally requiring the help of professionals such as our writers. Mixing their knowledge, research skills and writing talent produces documents regarded as some of the highest quality in the writing industry.

All you need to do to take advantage of this fact is place an order today. We are waiting patiently at the keyboard to start.