Books about the military are ten cents a dozen. You can check any public library or some other publication and be one hundred percent sure that you will find military history publications.
Books are written about every major battle ever fought. in addition, there are books about small skirmishes and micro-stories of their very vague engagements. they’re informative, historical, and (without sounding insensitive) fun reads.
You are reading: Best military books all time
There are probably thousands of great books on the market that you’ve never read, but I’ll tell you about some of the best military books to read.
why is it so important to read books about war?
1. psychologists say that writing relieves stress. strangers scare us. writing is like confessing to oneself. In doing so, you remove a burden that has plagued you throughout the conflict.
2. we tell the truth without exaggeration or selection. it is not a dry presentation of data and numbers, but an emotional language. our storytelling will teach civilians about war.
3. we wake up those “tired” of hearing about war, who don’t want to know that people like us are rotting in trenches, shivering in dank cellars, and dying in dilapidated shelters. to them, we are a reminder that we are still alive, that we are human beings enduring agony and suffering so that others, tired of it all, do not have to experience war firsthand.
4. writing is useless until it is read. war books? If so, each book you buy is a thank you to the author for allowing you to read it comfortably. you are winning the information battle. you are fighting alongside the author of the book. narrative events can survive. the writers are grateful for your support.
top rated best military novels to read
here is a list of the best military history books penn book recommends reading:
the eternal war
by dexter filkin
This is the first of the best book on military strategy. If you want to gain an understanding of America’s war against radical Islamists, look no further than journalist Dexter Filkins’s Eternal War.
as foreign correspondent for the new york times, filkins begins his novel as the taliban rise to power in afghanistan, he writes about the wake after september. the 11th attacks and then continues with the wars in iraq and afghanistan.
the pentagon wars
by james burton
former air force colonel. James Burton provides the inside tale of what it would be like if the Pentagon wanted to create a new weapons system.
Having spent 14 years in firearms testing and procurement, Burton details his battle during the maturation of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle with people who were more interested in rooting for defense contractors than troops in the field.
burton spends much of the post writing about this small group of army reformers who worked hard trying to fix the pentagon’s procurement problems in the ’60s and ’80s, and suffered professionally for rocking the boat as a result. /p>
for example, after stating that bradley’s armor should be compared to soviet anti-tank weaponry, the army realized that it would never consume and worked to move burton to alaska. the harsh post also inspired a hilarious movie made by hbo.
fallen black hawk
by mark bowden
Most of us have seen the movie. however, that is one of the times when you should read the book. This vivid account by journalist Mark Bowden tells the story of the Oct. 3, 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia, when countless elite U.S. Army soldiers battled tens of thousands of militants when a regular mission went awry.
With unprecedented access, study, and interviews, Bowden recreates the conflict minute by minute, capturing the brutality of the fighting and the heroism of those who fought and died there.
a bullet away
by nathaniel fick
This best military book provides an inside look at the transformation that occurs from civilian to Marine officer. fick majors in classics at dartmouth, joining the marines in 1998, a young man, leaving a seasoned and experienced leader after serving in afghanistan and iraq.
Sometimes highly personal and unpleasant, Fick’s best military book recounts many battle experiences. but that is not the real attraction. its charming detail of this practice, mentality and action of naval officers on the battlefield makes this type of reading a must read.
band of brothers
by stephen ambrose
Historian Stephen Ambrose’s account of Easy Co. a band of brothers is simple, a version of ordinary men doing extraordinary things.
The post that later became a 10-part miniseries on HBO takes readers from the device’s demanding training in 1942 to the liberation of Hitler’s Eagles’ Nest in 1945.
Band of Brothers illustrates what one of Ambrose’s sources calls the main attractions of war…the delight in camaraderie, the delight in destruction…war as spectacle’, Tim Appelo writes in his critical.
on kill
by lt. column. david grossman
located on many lists of military research, grossman’s onkilling is a historical look at soldiers confronting the truth of killing others in battle and how military training overcomes their aversion to the act.
A former West Point psychology professor, Grossman delves into the emotional costs of war and makes a more persuasive thesis that human beings possess an instinctive aversion to killing. For this, he also reveals how the military conquers this fundamental attribute through elimination and training in the real world.
the weapons of August
by barbara tuchman
This Pulitzer Prize-winning book is a masterpiece in the history of the best military books. Offering an account of the first month of World War I in 1914, Tuchman tells not only a war story, but also an occasion that could turn the contemporary world upside down.
this was the last breath of the golden age, of kings as well as kaisers and tsars, of pointed or feathered hats, colored pajamas and all the pomp and love that accompanied war, reads the description from the publisher.
how quickly it changed and how terrible it became. Tuchman is masterful in portraying this sudden change from the 19th century to the 20th century.
the good soldiers
by david finkel
Embedded as one of the 2-16 infantrymen inside President Bush’s last chance in Iraq, journalist David Finkel captures the grim fact as troops face chaotic and frequently deadly baghdad roads. the publication often follows the overly optimistic column. ralph kauzlarich (motto: everything is fine).
However, Finkel excels at reaching everyone up and down the chain of command and tells his stories exceptionally well. Her book is about the big picture spike strategy and more about the soldiers on the floor who fought her. that’s perfect.
d-day 1944
by robin neillands and roderick de norman
1944 d-day book cover world war ii was written extensively. therefore, it is difficult to pick and choose what to see. d-day, 1944: voices of normandy, by robin neillands and roderick de norman, is a fantastic place to start.
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many men and women are aware of operation overlord, popularly known as d-day, and its vital importance in creating a second front in the west.
However, what this book does well provides first-hand accounts from many of the participants who fought through this fateful moment. You’ll find five beachheads raiding: Juno, Sword, Gold, Utah, and Omaha.
2 beachheads belonged to the Americans, two to the British, and once to the Canadians. all the beachheads were eventually obtained, but many lives were lost along with the fighting.
soldiers who stormed the shores and people who parachuted into the night before telling their stories and what they had to ensure the beachheads were reached and humanity prevailed. this can be an intense read that deserves more credit.
band of brothers
by stephen e. ambrose
another of the best army books is band of brothers by stephen e. ambrose.
easy company, the new york times bestseller, follows the story of ordinary men who became the most extraordinary troops of the second world war on the front lines.
interviews inspired ambrose at the 101st airborne’s 506th regiment reunion. details the march from normandy to hitler’s eagle’s nest and the enduring bonds they formed among their survivors.
This post is among the most effective military history posts. Historian Stephen Ambrose provides comprehensive accounts of Easy Company’s adventures during World War II.
Their experiences were extraordinary and will be the subject of this band of brothers from the HBO miniseries.
The book introduces readers to the organization’s practice in 1942 and contributes to the liberation of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in 1945.
This novel is a considerable achievement that was composed by one of those preeminent historians of the time. I suggest you pick it up and read it in the summer.
the art of war
by sun tzu
Two thousand five hundred years ago, Sun Tzu wrote that this timeless novel of military strategy was based on Chinese warfare and military thought.
since that time, all the military have used sun tzu’s teaching in culture, and the war has accommodated these teachings for use in politics, business, and everyday life.
the art of war is a publication that should be used to benefit the competitions both in the boardroom and in battle.
a superior call 2014
by adam makos and larry alexander
This best international military book is critically acclaimed and a bestseller. focuses on the WWII German fighter pilot Lt. franz stigler and the kindness he showed to a crippled u.s. bomber piloted by lt. charlie brown.
This history of chivalry and plane details explains how these men became close friends nearly 50 years later. column. charles mcgee (tuskegee airman), wwii is one of many accolades for the book.
war is hell; is a common saying. but this story shows how the human spirit can shine even in the darkest of hours. test his heart for lead if this story doesn’t pick him up?
call sign chaos: learning to lead. random house 2022
by james mattis and bing west
this one is for mad dog lovers. This is Mattis’s story of a life lived in war and learning. Follow his rise from Marine Recruit to Four Star General.
mattis’ direct style of writing, which includes direct leadership, executive leadership, and strategic leadership, explains why ee. uu. he needs to return to a strategic position to continue fighting unfinished battles. this book will not disappoint you.
the united states war for the great middle east. random house 2016
by andrew j. bacevich 2016
Bacevich, a 20-year Army veteran stationed in Vietnam, presents an in-depth analysis of the U.S. Army. foreign policies in the middle east during the last 40 years.
He connects episodes like the 1983 beirut bombing, the 1993 battle of mogadishu, the 2003 invasion of iraq and the rise of isis in the current decade. bacevich shows how these seemingly separate events can be seen as part of a war. this is one of the best military non-fiction books.
the liberator. crown 2013
by alex kershaw
this is the true story of u.s. Army officer Felix Sparks and his 157th Infantry Regiment during World War II. their 500-day journey takes them from the invasion of italy to the gates of dachau.
Alice’s web
by kate quinn
the alice network is a fascinating novel that follows two brave women through different times. one life later, determined to find out what happened to her loved one, while the other works in a secret network behind enemy lines during the first world war.
This historical fiction is inspired by the true story of a network that penetrated French lines during the great war. weaves a story so full of drama, suspense, and tragedy that it’s hard to put down.
with the ancient race. prison press 2007
by e.b. sled
Since its release in 1981, this first-person narrative of World War II has been a fixture on nearly every Marine Corps reading list. It is also one of the main settings for the HBO miniseries The Pacific.
You’ll be hard-pressed to discover a simpler, honest account of the soldiers on the front lines during some of the Pacific’s most terrifying battles. Aside from being parked in Okinawa, it’s the closest thing to experiencing the dirt and rain of Okinawa.
the outpost
by jake tapper
jake tapper, the journalist and author of this 704 page book is a monster. he tells the powerful story of an Afghan outpost that was doomed from the start. tapper begins with the 2006 decision to create a combat outpost in nuristan.
then reveals the series of poor decisions that led to the battle for survival at the outpost three years later. tapper also reveals the many soldiers who would receive the medal of honor for their heroism.
combat outpost keating is the name of the base. It is a fascinating story well worth reading. It’s easy to see why the outpost, despite its popularity and rave reviews from critics and the sacrifices of the soldiers who fought the battle there, is a success story.
the complete personal memoirs of ulises s. grant. ulysses s. grant’s createspace independent publishing platform. 2012
grant’s memoirs, originally published by mark twain in his last months of life, were written and completed by grant. he was aware of the impending end and was impelled to write down his thoughts on the civil war.
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Military historians and literary critics value the memoirs of the great leader. they are not afraid of the bloody battles he witnessed or the mistakes he made.
blood on the bands. prison press 1991
by john leppelman
appelman served three missions in vietnam and shared his experiences as a fng paratrooper in the 173d airborne, an army soldier, and a ranger on a long-range reconnaissance patrol. Leppleman reflects on his experiences, from combat jumps to the enemy’s wild goose chase to the deaths of his friends due to lousy weapons.
six frigates: an epic story of the founding and development of the us. navy. ww norton & company 2008.
by ian w. toll
This best well-written, well-researched military book won the 2007 Samuel Eliot Morison Award in Naval Literature. Vivid detail and flowing storytelling are not idealized.
will give you incredible perspective and make you feel like you’re facing the harsh realities of the sea during some of the nation’s most important battles. we are humbled by the images of surgical tools that were included in this best military book.
dispatches 1991
by michael herr
galloway and gene. Moore co-wrote the previous entry, but a civilian wrote this entire book.
Three things are essential if you think it reduces its impact.
1. it’s a great way to learn more about yourself by looking at things from an outsider’s perspective.
2. Michael Herr worked as Esquire’s war correspondent in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969.
3. This book was used as a partial basis for the Stanley Kubrick film Full Metal Jacket, for which Herr wrote the screenplay.
yes, it’s worth a read.
a narrative of a revolutionary soldier 2010
by joseph plumb martin
Joseph Martin was just 15 years old when he joined the Connecticut military as a patriot eager to fight for the American cause. He fought in Brooklyn, White Plains, Monmouth and Yorktown for the next six years. (click here to tweet this)
He was also a survivor at Valley Forge. he became one of the first combat engineers in the US Army and finished the war as a sergeant.
books for children in the army
make my wish for you recordable storybook
Typically priced between $20 and $30, recordable books can be an expensive purchase, but they’re worth implementing. Have your loved one record some of them before they roll out along with your child you can go back to them again and again if mom or dad is missing. This publication is a sweet story about all the happiness that a father wishes for his son.
I’ll lend it to you, daddy
I’ll Lend You My Dad, aimed at kids ages 4-8, helps them understand why their dad should deploy and how important a job is in the military. It will also help them feel less alone and understand that many children have exactly the same feelings that they do.
h is for honor: a familiar military alphabet
h is for honor is the best military book to easily explain the various branches of the military and what exactly a military family means. looks at the love letters from many soldiers at home, why military families must go ahead with what looks like life on the ground.
my army coloring book
Coloring books are delightful for preschoolers as they spark their interest and enthusiasm for the military and service from their parents. Plus, it can help them figure out what questions they want to ask about military life.
military animals with dog tags
This best scholastic military novel tells the true stories of several different kinds of creatures that have served in the military, from horses and dogs to bees and pigs. an intriguing read for adults too! Kids’ favorite part will be the paw print name tag, which comes with each book.
friend the soldier bear
This cute story takes kids on a toy store trip to battle with Buddy, a bear that ends up in a care package for a soldier.
is a great way to get kids excited about making care packages and help them imagine what happens to care packages on their journey. we love that a portion of the proceeds goes to non-profit organizations that help active duty military and veterans.
the night of the soldiers before christmas
The perfect Christmas post for a military kid! This great little golden book retells the night before Christmas in a military barracks.
starts it was the night before christmas, and in all the foundation, only the sentinels were agitated to defend the place. secure your new holiday tradition.
the good war of studs terkel 2011
Turkel, a Chicago journalist, received the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1985 for his collection of interviews with 121 people around the world about their experiences during World War II. click to tweet this
turkel draws a vivid picture of history through the words of ordinary and famous people. it also addresses issues such as institutionalized racism and the military industrial complex, and the origins and causes of the cold war. as there are fewer members of the larger generation left to share their stories in person, this oral history becomes more valuable.
with the ancient breed of e.b. sled 2007
This first-person account is a staple of nearly every Marine Corps reading list. It was published in 1981 and has been viewed more than 900 times. this is the closest thing to living in the rain and mud of okinawa.
we were soldiers once…and young by harold g. Moore and Joseph L. chicken coop 2004
best nonfiction war books
Although these memoirs are not written in the first person, they do contain historical non-fiction and some historical fiction. This book details the experiences of journalists Joseph Galloway and Hal Moore, who retired as lieutenant generals in the Army.
is a mix of personal accounts from co-authors and other survivors, drawn from interviews, diaries, and is more a memoir of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 7th Cavalry Division during those tragic days than any one person.
frequently asked questions about good military books
p: what is a military book?
a: A military book is a book that contains information about the armed forces. this can include books about the history of the military, the different branches of the military, and the different roles soldiers play.
p: who writes military books?
a: Anyone who knows the military can write military books. this may include soldiers, veterans, historians, and others.
p: why are military books important?
a: Military books are important because they can provide people with information about the military. This can help people understand the different branches of the military and the different roles soldiers play. Also, military books can help people learn about the history of the military.
q: where can i find military books?
a: Military books can be found in many places. They can be found in libraries, bookstores and online. Additionally, many military bases have libraries containing military books.
conclusion
These non-fiction books on history and war are sure to make you feel all the emotions. you can keep tissues handy as these stories strike a chord with your heart.
however, you can also have a drink to toast the wordsmiths who have shared these painful lessons with us. let us know which military nonfiction books are the most memorable for you.
Those are our picks. What is your favorite in the best military history books? Did we miss one that you loved? Leave a recommendation in the comments.
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