中英文本

Twenty One War Is Hell
第二十一课 战争是地狱
At the outset of the war, Ted was willing to do anything.
战争开始的时候，特德是什么事情都愿意做。
He came from a long line of fighters and this was his chance to add to their memory at the most, and carry on the family legacy at the least.
他从一大批战士中脱颖而出，这使他至多能让他们加深印象，至少也能获得继承家族遗产的机会。
Ted also had a younger brother, William, who wanted to join the army at the same time as Ted.
特德还有一个名叫威廉的弟弟，他想和特德同时参军。
At the suggestion of their father, however, William decided to wait a year to see how the war was going.
但是，根据父亲的建议，威廉决定等一年看看战争的发展情况。

Ted wished he had waited like William.
特德希望他像威廉一样等待了一段时间。
Ted went to the front lines at the peak of the war.
特德在战争的高峰时期上了前线。
When he arrived Ted told the officer at the wheel that he was proud to be at his service.
到达的时候特德告诉指挥官他为能替他效劳感到骄傲。
The officer just laughed and sent him off to battle, saying, " At the sacrifice of sounding stupid, son,
指挥官只是笑了笑，然后就送他上了战场。他说：" 我的话可能听起来很愚蠢，但我还是要做这个牺牲，孩子
all I can say to help you is fire at will, attach yourself to any company you can, and stay alive."
我能说的管用的话就是随便开枪，尽量和别人在一起，要活着活来。"
He also said, "And don't worry ,you won't have to atone for any of the crimes you commit in this battle.
他还说：" 别担心，你不必为战场上犯下的罪行做任何补偿。
We just have to win!"
我们一定得打胜仗。 "
That was when Ted learned what it meant to be at war, it was hell!
到这时候特德才明白打仗是这么回事，原来战争是地狱！
When bombs, rockets and bullets were flying in an area he truly felt as if he had entered another planet where the atmospheric pressure had dropped.
当炸弹，火箭，子弹在一个地方满天飞的时候，特德真切地感受到它像是到了另外一个星球，那里的大气压减少了。
And Ted never got used to it.
特德适应不了这种场面。
At times he almost went crazy.
有时他简直都疯了。
When the war was over and Ted returned home, William was dejected that he never fought.
当战争结束特德回家时，威廉情绪很低落，因为他从没打过仗。
Ted told him he was lucky.
特德告诉他，他真幸运。
Years later, Ted still suffered, having frequent flashbacks at work of being in the war.
多年以后，特德仍然没有摆脱战争的阴影，他经常会回忆起在战场上打仗的情景。

重点讲解

1.at the outset 开始时，起初
例句：At the outset, it looked like a nice day.
开始的时候,天看上去很晴朗。
2.at the peak of 在...顶峰期，在...高峰时期
例句：She's at the peak of her career.
她正处於她事业的顶峰.
3.at the sacrifice of 以牺牲...为代价
例句：Mr. Hart got a lot of money at the sacrifice of his friends.
哈特先生牺牲他的朋友以获得巨款。
4.at the suggestion of 根据...的建议
例句：At the suggestion of my uncle Tom I decided to try my luck as a bus driver.
根据我叔叔汤姆的建议，我决定去做公共汽车司机，碰碰运气。
5.at will 随意，任意
例句：He told us that we could wander around at will.
他告诉我们说我们可以任意闲逛。
6.atone for （为了过错等）进行弥补，进行补偿
例句：Nothing could atone for the loss of good blood.
没有什么能补偿优良血统的丧失。