[Juenger-list] Storm of Steel

[e-ensign@thing.net (Richard Brem)]

> << it is an open secret that he didn't like the 1929 translation >>
>
> I am not surprised.  In my opinion, Creighton manages to turn most of
> Juenger's dynamic, vitalistic vignettes into comparatively dull prose.
His
> rendering of "Copse 125" is slightly better, though.

I'd second that. However, Juenger didn't object to Creighton's style of
translation (his knowledge of English wasn't good enough), he simply didn't
want to see the nationalistic 1920s version published in the 1990s.

> However, the version it was based on was not the earliest edition of "In
> Stahlgewittern".

That's right. I think the translation was based on the 1926 version, which
is the third or fourth version of 'In Stahlgewittern' -- John can you help
and clarify this?

> Very interesting.  But, since so little of EJs work has been translated
into
> English, it would be marvellous to see other tomes take precedence.  He is
> criminally underrepresented in the world's most widely used language... .

Well, you should talk to English or American translators who tried their
hands on Juenger's texts. They say that it's exceptionally difficult to
translate them into English and envy their French and Italian colleagues.
Also, the market for Juenger books in English doesn't seem to be there. The
few books that have been translated sank without a trace. These days most
publishing companies are run by accountants -- I can't see any of them
taking the financial risk of translating and publishing Juenger. The only
alternative are university presses, and it will be via one of them that
Juenger's magnum opus 'Strahlungen' (i.e. his WW2 diaries) will be published
in English translation for the first time before long. This might provide a
solid basis for a more widespread Juenger reception in the English-speaking
world in the future.

Regards,
RBR