Set during the World War I, the story tells of the French 181st company, which is sent by the general's order to carry out a reckless attack in no man's land with the purpose to take the strategically important "Pimple", and how the failure is covered up by court martialing "war criminals" for cowardice.

[1] The book was based on the Souain corporals affair, an actual event in WWI when the French Army shot four men for cowardice as an example to others.

[2][3][4] Cobb had served for three years during the World War I, including duty on the front lines at the Battle of Amiens in France in 1918.

[3][5][6] Based on his experiences, Cobb wrote Paths of Glory while working at the Young & Rubicam advertising agency in New York.

[3][4] Fulfilling Howard's "sacred obligation", Kubrick decided to adapt it to the screen after he remembered reading the book when he was younger.