The deeply funny story of a hapless Czech soldier in the Austro-Hungarian army -- dismissed for incompetence only to be pressed into service by the Russians in World War I (where he is captured by his own troops). A mischief-maker, bohemian and drunk, Hasek demonstrated his wit in this classic novel of the Czech character and preposterous nature of war. This unabridged Penguin Classics edition, as translated by Cecil Parrott, includes the original illustrations by Josef Lada.  (CZH11, $16.00)

World War I