Johnny Got His Gun - Definition and Overview

Johnny Got His Gun (ISBN 0553274325) is a vivid anti-war novel written in 1939 by Dalton Trumbo. In 1971 Trumbo directed and wrote the screenplay for the movie of the same title, based on his book.

The title comes from the phrase "Johnny get your gun," a rallying call that was commonly used to encourage young American men to enlist in the military in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The story is a work of historical fiction.

Metallica's 1988 song and music video "One" were inspired by the novel.

Johnny Got His Gun tells the story of Joe Bonham, a World War I infantryman who was horribly maimed in combat. Bonham survived an explosion, but lost his arms, legs and face. He is deaf, blind, and mute. Bonham does not initially comprehend the full nature of his situation, but, after realizing his condition, learns to communicate with others. Bonham's wish to be taken on tour as an anti-war display is denied by his military superiors.

In a series of flashbacks, the reader is forced to compare the vibrancy of mundane, ordinary life with the horrors and living death of war. The story also provides a unique perspective on advances in medicine.