World War II lasted for over six years and great acts of heroism were performed by both solders and civilians.
Recently on our social media channels we asked almost a million of you to vote for your favourite books about military life in the Second World War, here are the top 20.
Catch 22 – Joseph Heller
Published in 1961, Catch 22 is set during World War 2 and follows an Army Air Force Captain named John Yossarian as he and his fellow airmen attempt to keep their sanity whilst longing to return home. The title refers to the fact that people could be excused from flight missions if they were deemed mentally unfit, but anyone who wanted to stop flying for fear of being killed was considered sane.
The novel takes a satirical look at the war and often uses a dark humour as Yossarian tries to survive the war by not being killed by thousands of people he has never even met. Catch 22 is one of the most famous books of all time and has since been called one of the greatest literary works of the twentieth century.
Slaughterhouse Five – Kurt Vonnegut
Considered to be Vonnegut’s most influential work of all time, Slaughterhouse Five tells the story of Billy Pilgrim who has become lost in time and is revisiting different periods of his life, in particular his experiences as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the Allied firebombing of Dresden.
The style of Slaughterhouse Five emphasises the crazy, chaotic nature of war. Vonnegut writes apologies in the preface for the novel being “so short and jumbled and jangled” but says “there is nothing intelligent to say about a massacre.” Slaughterhouse Five will long remain one of the most important books to be inspired by the war.
The Winds of War – Herman Wouk
Often considered to be the greatest work of historical fiction on America’s “Greatest Generation,” The Winds of War is the second part in a series of three books set during the course of the second world war. The novels tell the tales of heroism, drama, romance, heroism, and tragedy, seen during the war and follows the lives of an American family caught in the centre.
The series has been hugely successful since its publication and has even been adapted into a mini series on ABC. The series has been praised for perfectly balancing the fiction with real events and is certainly a must read.
Unbroken – Laura Hillenbrand
Unbroken tells the incredible true story of Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star who served as a bombardier. When his plane crashed in the Pacific theatre, Zamperini spent 47 days afloat on a raft, only to spend almost three years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. This story really shows the endurance of the human spirit.
The book spent over four years in the New York Times best seller list and is the 5th longest-running non-fiction best seller of all time. It was adapted to the big screen in 2014 and was directed by Angelina Jolie. Those looking to learn more about the incredible feats of survival seen during the war should absolutely read this.
The Naked and the Dead – Norman Mailer
Inspired by his military service in the Philippines during World War II, The Naked and the Dead follows a platoon stationed on a Japanese-held island in the South Pacific and documents their struggle to find meaning whilst being faced with the horrors of war.
The book is written in a gritty, journalistic style and subverted the “glory” that the Allied forces were basking in when it was published back in 1949. The release of the book shattered many people’s notion of the second world war and Modern Library has since named it one of the 100 best novels in the English language.
So Sad to Fall in Battle – Kumiko Kakehashi
The Battle of Iwo Jima is one of the most famous battles fought during the second world war, and perhaps the most famous war photo of all time which depicts the US marines raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi. We’re very familiar with the West’s part in that battle, but what of the Japanese?
Originally published to great acclaim in Japan, So Sad to Fall in Battle shows us the battle through the eyes of Japanese commander Tadamichi Kuribayashi. Kuribayashi refused to send his men on suicidal banzai attacks and relied on a defe4nsive style of combat which went on to become standard in the Japanese military. Even when given the opportunity to be moved to a safer part of the island, he chose to fight alongside his men in a three hour siege. So Sad to Fall in Battle gives Western readers a unique insight into the Battle of Iwo Jima and learn more about one of America’s most feared but respected foes of the war.
Run Silent, Run Deep – Edward L. Beach
When we think of World War II, we often think first of soldiers fighting on the ground, but the Navy played an equally important role. Often described as the American equivalent of Das Boot, Run Silent, Run Deep follows an American submarine as it engages the Japanese navy in the Pacific in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor.
The novel is inspired by Beach’s first-hand experience as a US navy submarine officer were he participated in the Battle of Midway, completed 12 combat patrols, and earned a Navy Cross and 10 decorations for gallantry. After the war, he served as the Naval aide for President Eisenhower. Given his vast experience, it’s no wonder Run Silent, Run Deep has been highly praised for its realism.
Band of Brothers – Stephen Ambrose
Band of Brothers tells the story of perhaps the most distinguished company in the American military. Easy Company, 506th Airborne Division, took part in many major events of the war including parachuting into France on the morning of D-Day to capturing Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest at Berchtesgaden.
Ambrose’s book sees survivors of the company interviewed and allows readers to understand the intense struggle to survive in the men’s own words. The book has since been adapted into a hugely popular HBO series and this book is an absolute must read for those wanting to learn more about the company.
Bridge On the River Kwai – Pierre Boulle
Bridge On the River Kwai follows British POW’s as they are forced by their Japanese captors to build a bridge for the Burma-Siam railway whilst enduring hellish conditions and cruel treatment from their captors. Caught between the Japanese and the Allies, the prisoners must choose between their patriotism or their pride.
The story itself is fictional but is inspired by the construction of the Burma Railway from 1942-43 and Boulle’s own experience working for the Allies in Singapore and Indochina during the war. It also draws inspiration from the British POW’s who were forced to build a bridge for the “Death Railway”, so named for the large number of prisoners killed during its construction. The book went on to inspire the hugely popular film of the same name.
Flags of Our Fathers – James Bradley
As stated earlier, the photograph of the six US Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima is arguably one of the most iconic war photographs ever taken. Flags of Our Fathers is written by the son of one of the flag raisers and tells the six soldier’s stories as they fought in the Pacific theatre.
Not only does the book tell a full account of the soldiers during the battle, but also provides insight into what happened when the men returned home as heroes. As Bradley’s father once told him: “The real heroes of Iwo Jima were the guys who didn’t come back”. Flags of Our Fathers allows readers to gain a personal look behind the infamous photo and see the men who were immortalised by it.
11. The Cruel Sea – Nicholas Monsarrat
12. Rise and Fall of the Third Reich – William Shirer
13. Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall – Spike Milligan
14. The Museum of Abandoned Secrets – Oksana Zabuzi
15. The Emperor’s General – James Webb
16. Force 10 From Navarone – Alistar MacLean
17. A Long, Long Way- Sebastian Barry
18. To War with Whitaker – Hermione, Countess of Ranfurly
19. A Higher Call – Adam Makos
20. Warriors of the Working Day – G. L. Bett
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