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25 Best Military Books Of All Time (+ 12 Honorable Mentions)

best military books of all time

What are the best military books of all-time?

It’s a challenging question to answer considering there are so many types of military books.

For example, some of the works of fiction rival the best non-fiction military books.

Consequently, we’ve divided the best military books of all-time into separate genres.

Learn more about the 25 Best Military Books of All-Time.

Table of Contents

Best Military Books (Non-Fiction)

The best military books are often non-fiction because they are based on real events or soldiers.

Biographies (review Top 10, below) highly personal accounts during warfare while others document important series of events.

You could easily narrow down the best military books by conflict (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, etc) or era.

Nevertheless, here is our 10 personal favorites:

#1. Black Hawk Down

black hawk down is one of the best military books of all time

  • Author: Mark Bowden
  • Publisher: Signet Books (1999)

best military autobiography books

“Black Hawk Down” was originally a book before it was adapted into a film starring Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and Eric Bana.

It’s definitely worth reading the book even if you have watched “Black Hawk Down” beforehand.

The tremendous story is retold by journalist Mark Bowden as he recounts the events of October 3, 1993.

During that day hundreds of elite Army soldiers were trapped behind enemy lines fighting off a resistance of thousands.

“Black Hawk Down” is wonderfully researched with interviews that capture, minute-by-minute, what unfolded.

#2. The Forever War

the forever war book

  • Author: Dexter Filkins
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (1974)

“The Forever War” presents an insider’s look into radical Islam and the foreign conflicts that have aided it.

Foreign journalist/correspondent Dexter Filkins begins by highlighting the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Then, decades later, the aftermath of September 11 along with the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The book is told on the ground level as Filkins received first line access to the events unfolding in the Middle East.

“The Forever War” features individual stories from people (ranging from citizens to soldiers) impacted by the events in Afghanistan.

#3. The Art of War

the art of war may be the most important military book ever written

  • Author: Sun Tzu
  • Publisher: China (5th century BC)

“The Art of War” has long been considered one of the best military books.

Impressively, “The Art of War” was conceived over 2,000 years ago yet still remains relevant in modern warfare.

The book has long been viewed as a must-read for basic military theory and strategy.

Moreover, “The Art of War” dives into other aspects that influence society such as psychology, economics, and politics.

It’s worth a read to understand where most modern books about the military draw their inspiration.

#4. Band of Brothers

Beyond Band of Brothers The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

  • Author: Stephen Ambrose
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster (1992)

“Band of Brothers” is another famous Hollywood production that started out as a book.

Historian Stephen Ambrose invites readers to follow a group of soldiers from enduring basic training in 1942 to the liberation of Hitler’s “Eagle’s Nest in 1945.

Like most books, the historic account gets into more detail than what you see with the HBO series (although excellent, in it’s own right).

“Band of Brothers” takes you into what it was like to serve in WWII along the Western Front.

#5. The Guns of August

the guns of august military book about world war 1

  • Author: Barbara Tuchman
  • Publisher:  Macmillian (1962)

“The Guns of August” is a Pulitzer-Prize winning book.

It’s often acknowledged as a masterpiece among books to do with military history.

As a result, “The Guns of August” opens in 1914 set amongst the backdrop of World War I.

The book details the first month of WWI which would assist in upending the rest of the world.

“The Guns of August” presents a magnificent background of the people and events that contributed to World War I.

1776 by david mccullough is another one of the best military books

  • Author: David McCullough
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster (2005)

“1776” is designed to retell a year that would lead to the birth of a new nation.

Of course, you cannot make a list of the best military books without including some that get into the history of the American Revolution.

Thus, “1776” chronicles the year in extraordinary detail as readers march along with the Continental Army.

While it’s not the only book on the American Revolutionary War it ranks among the best ever produced.

#7. We Were Soldiers Once… And Young

we were soldiers once and young best military book

  • Author: Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway
  • Publisher:  Random House (1992)

“We Were Soldiers Once… And Young” is the harrowing tale of the first significant engagements in Vietnam.

The year, 1965, is still considered one of the most savage in all the years U.S. Armed Forces were involved in Vietnam.

Consequently, the book is presented by a military lieutenant as well as war reporter that saw first-hand the events of The Battle of the la Drang Valley.

The story tells the perseverance and bravery of 450 soldiers surrounded by 2,000 enemy troops.

#8. The Pentagon Wars

the pentagon wars

  • Author: James Burton
  • Publisher: Naval Institute Press (2014)

“The Pentagon Wars” presents a rare glimpse inside the headquarters of the Department of Defense (DoD).

Former Air Force Colonel James Burton provides readers with rare insights.

Colonel Burton, who spent 14 years developing new weapons systems for the government, details many of the breakthroughs (and failures).

He notoriously clashed with the Pentagon and was renowned for disrupting the system.

Later, “The Pentagon Wars” inspired a comedy film based on the story.

#9. One Bullet Away

one bullet away military book

  • Author: Nathaniel Fick
  • Publisher: Houghton-Mifflin (2005)

“One Bullet Away” grants rare access inside the life of a Marine Corps officer.

Nathaniel Fick, who previously studied at Dartmouth, elected to join the Marines in the late 90s.

As a result, “One Bullet Away” provides details into the training and mindset of the Marine Corps.

Furthermore, readers experience a wide range of combat experiences during Fick’s deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

#10. Flyboys

flyboys is one of the best military books about aerial combat

  • Author: James Bradley
  • Publisher: Little Brown (2003)

“Flyboys” is one of many military books written about WWII.

Notwithstanding, it continues to rank among the best books ever produced about the conflict.

“Flyboys” presents the story of 9 Americans that were shot down over the Pacific.

George H.W. Bush was among the pilots rescued before he went on to serve as the 41st President of the United States.

However, the story of the 8 other pilots, has remained a mystery until recently.

Author James Bradley (who also wrote “Flags of Our Fathers”) presents a well researched and memorable read.

Honorable Mention: Best Military Books (Non-Fiction)

  • D-Day: June 6, 1944 (Stephen E. Ambrose)
  • Nuclear Weapons (Mark Wolverton)
  • On War (Carl von Clausewitz)
  • Enemy at the Gates (Vince Flynn)

Best Military Books (Fiction)

There are great military books that are not based on real events, too.

We define these narratives as the best fiction military books.

As a result, the characters are made up by the author yet likely inspired by real people and events:

#1. The Hunt for Red October

the hunt for red october book

  • Author: Tom Clancy
  • Publisher: Naval Institute Press (1984)

Today, Tom Clancy is one of the most recognizable names in fiction.

However, in 1984, no one was aware when Clancy released his debut novel, “The Hunt for Red October”.

The story depicts a Soviet captain that goes rogue with its cutting-edge submarine, Red October.

Furthermore, it’s the first appearance of Clancy’s most beloved fictional character, Jack Ryan.

You should definitely give “The Hunt for Red October”, or anything Tom Clancy, a try for an entertaining read.

#2. The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried book

  • Author: Tim O’Brien
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (1990)

“The Things They Carried” is exceptionally written if not raw and bittersweet.

The book is about a platoon of soldiers fighting on the ground during Vietnam.

“The Things They Carried” is a collection of short stories inspired by real events during author Tim O’Brien’s own service.

Accordingly, the novel is presented as a war memoir to make it feel very intimate and authentic.

#3. All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front

  • Author: Erich Maria Remarque
  • Publisher: Fawcett (1928)

“All Quiet on the Western Front” is widely considered one of the greatest war novels of all-time.

The novel presents the German experience during World War I.

The story was first published in a 1928 newspaper before later being adapted into various editions.

It’s noteworthy that Nazi Germany attempted to ban and burn the book during its reign.

“All Quiet on the Western Front” has sold millions of copies and transpired in numerous languages.

#4. Rescuing Wendy: Delta Force Heroes

Rescuing Wendy Delta Force Heroes

  • Author: Susan Stolker
  • Publisher: Kindle Edition (2018)

Let’s face it, there is no need to make it all bloodbath when you are sitting back to relax and read.

Therefore, why not consider a military romance novel to change it up?

“Rescuing Wendy: Delta Force Heroes” is a necessary companion when military personnel are stationed overseas and away from family.

Follow Aspen “Blade” Carlisle, the last of his Delta Force team to find love.

#5. Missionaries: A Novel

Missionaries A Novel

  • Author: Phil Klay
  • Publisher: Penguin Press (2020)

“Missionaries: A Novel” is a recent novel to debut from USMC veteran Phil Klay.

The thriller takes place in Venezuela as a group of Marines attempt to raid the safe house of a drug lord.

The novel takes an innovative approach by highlighting 4 different lives that are involved in the conflict.

Former President Barack Obama designated it one of his favorite books of 2020.

Honorable Mention: Best Military Books (Fiction)

  • Rainbow Six , Tom Clancy
  • Starship Troopers , Robert A. Heinlein
  • Patriot Games , Tom Clancy

Best Military Books (Biography)

Biographies often are the best military books because of the personal perspective.

Whether drafted from a first-hand account (autobiography) or co-authored with someone else, biographies reveal anecdotes and information hard to find anywhere else.

As a result, some of the top military biographies are written by veterans as well as prisoners of war (POWs):

#1. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, & Redemption

unbroken military book

  • Author: Laura Hillenbrand
  • Publisher: Random House (2010)

“Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand is often considered one of the best military books of all-time.

It was only recently published in 2010 yet already adapted into a film directed by Angelina Jolie.

Most consider the book far better which tells the incredible story of resistance and survival.

Louie Zamperini survived nearly 50 days on the Pacific after his bomber crashed into the ocean.

Then, he was captured by the Japanese and became a notorious prisoner of war (POW) where he was often targeted by the corporal of the army.

“Unbroken” presents a story of personal redemption and forgiveness, too.

#2. Lone Survivor

lone survivor military book navy seals

  • Author: Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson
  • Publisher: Little Brown & Company (2007)

“Lone Survivor” was published around a time period where there was an emerging focus on the military following 9/11.

For this reason, the story of “Lone Survivor” was inspiring and kept morale strong amid a difficult campaign in Afghanistan.

It’s another heroic account not to mention testament to survival.

Today, Marcus Luttrell remains active in supporting the efforts of veterans.

#3. American Sniper

american sniper military book

  • Author: Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen, Jim DeFelice
  • Publisher: William Morrow & Company (2012)

“American Sniper” Chris Kyle was another noteworthy autobiography that was published during the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle was a tremendously respected marksman that recorded more career kills than any sniper in U.S. military history.

He later became a huge champion for war vets yet was tragically killed in 2013.

“American Sniper” is well worth the read in addition to watching the film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper.

#4. Flags of Our Fathers

Flags of Our Fathers

  • Publisher: Bantam Books (2000)

Speaking of military stories that got adapted into movies by Clint Eastwood, “Flags of Our Fathers” was originally a book by James Bradley.

The story features an unforgettable chronicle of the 6 men that raised the flag at Iwo Jima.

While the achievement was a major triumph in WWII history it also led to different existences for the men that witnessed it.

Bradley is a terrific writer and pens what is easily considered one of the best military books of all-time.

#5. No Easy Day

no easy day book

  • Author: Mark Owen and Kevin Maurer
  • Publisher: Dutton Penguin (2012)

“No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden” is one of the most recent military books to become an all-time classic.

There was a little controversy over releasing the confidential details of the mission at the time, but today most consider it a classic.

“No Easy Day” takes readers into the first-person account of Navy SEAL Team Six Operator Mark Owen.

Owen confronted terrorist mastermind Osama Bin Laden moments before his death in the risky Pakistan raid.

It’s a quality insider’s look into some of the recent special op missions of the Navy SEALs.

#6. Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific

Helmet for My Pillow

  • Author: Robert Leckie
  • Publisher: Random House (1957)

“Helmet for My Pillow” inspired the HBO series “The Pacific”.

It tells the first-hand account of Robert Leckie, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII.

Leckie, who was only 21 when he enlisted, describes his journey from boot camp at Parris Island to the Pacific Theater.

Leckie saw combat and some of his anecdotes were featured in the TV show.

#7. Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman

Where Men Win Glory

  • Author: Jon Krakauer
  • Publisher: ‎ Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group (2010)

Pat Tillman is one of the most remarkable men you’ll ever come across.

He was already in the NFL and preparing to sign a multi-million dollar deal before the events of 9/11 transpired.

It motivated Tillman to leave the NFL and serve as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sadly, Tillman was accidentally killed by friendly fire in 2004 (which led to a whole other controversy the book outlines).

Jon Krakaeur is a well-recognized author that also covered the story of Chris McCandless (“Into the Wild”).

#8. With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

With the Old Breed

  • Author: E.B. Sledge
  • Publisher: Presidio Press (2007)

“With the Old Breed” is a noteworthy memoir of World War II.

E.B. Sledge served during the Pacific Theater and saw combat in places like Obkinawa and Peleliu.

“With the Old Breed” is a New York Times Bestseller and ranks among the best military books, especially for a memoir.

#9. The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

  • Author: James D. Hornfischer
  • Publisher: Bantam Books (2004)

“The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors” is an underrated tale from World War II.

The story tells of the Navy’s Finest Hour during an epic standoff with the Japanese’s massive fleet.

James D. Hornfischer describes the narrative in thrilling detail as Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland addresses his crew on the USS Samuel B. Roberts.

The destroyer was part of the navy battle that took place on October 25, 1944.

#10. Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

  • Author: Dick Winters and Cole C. Kingseed
  • Publisher: Dutton Caliber (2008)

If you are a fan of “Band of Brothers” you may not know there are additional memoirs published by Dick Winters.

For fans of the original book or HBO series, Major Dick Winters is among the favorite characters.

The war hero provides more anecdotes of Easy Company, many of which were not featured in the show.

Honorable Mention: Best Military Books (Biography)

  • Sleeper Agent: The Atomic Spy in America Who Got Away (Ann Hagedorn)
  • The Forgotten 500 (Gregory A. Freeman)
  • The Hiding Place (Corrie Ten Boom)
  • Grant (Ron Chernow)
  • Outlaw Platoon (Sean Parnell and John Bruning)

The best military books of all-time reflect different eras and conflicts.

For this reason, it’s hard to compare a memoir from WWII to an autobiography produced about a veteran from Afghanistan.

Nevertheless, all of these books are impressive and deserving of your time to read.

We divided the best military books of all-time into separate genres to highlight outstanding works in non-fiction, biographical, and fiction.

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The Greatest "Autobiography, Military" Books of All Time

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books in literature. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 234 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed literary works. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details about the selection process can be found on the rankings page .

List Calculation Details

Autobiography.

Autobiography is a literary genre that focuses on the life story of the author. It is a first-person account of the author's experiences, thoughts, and emotions, often including significant events and milestones that have shaped their life. Autobiographies can be written by anyone, from famous public figures to ordinary people, and can cover a wide range of topics, including personal growth, career achievements, struggles, and relationships. This genre provides readers with a unique insight into the author's life and perspective, making it a popular and engaging category of books.

The Military category of books encompasses a wide range of literature that focuses on the armed forces, their operations, and the individuals who serve in them. This genre includes both fiction and non-fiction works that cover topics such as military history, strategy, tactics, and personal accounts of soldiers' experiences. Military books often explore themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the impact of war on individuals and society. They provide readers with a glimpse into the world of the military and the challenges faced by those who serve their country.

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

1. If This Is a Man by Primo Levi

Cover of 'If This Is a Man' by Primo Levi

This book is a deeply moving and insightful memoir of a survivor of Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. The author, an Italian Jew, provides a detailed account of his life in the camp, the brutal conditions, the dehumanization, and the struggle for survival. The narrative is a profound exploration of the human spirit, resilience, and the will to live, despite unimaginable horror and suffering. It also raises profound questions about humanity, morality, and the capacity for evil.

2. Maus by Art Spiegelman

Cover of 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman

This graphic novel tells the story of a Holocaust survivor, as narrated by his son. The unique use of animals to represent different nationalities and ethnic groups adds a distinctive layer to the narrative. The protagonist's father recounts his experiences as a Polish Jew during World War II, offering a poignant depiction of the horrors of the Holocaust. The narrative also explores the complex father-son relationship, revealing the impact of such traumatic historical events on subsequent generations.

3. Testament Of Youth by Vera Brittain

Cover of 'Testament Of Youth' by Vera Brittain

Testament of Youth is a poignant memoir detailing the author's experiences during World War I. The narrative follows her journey from her early life, her time as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse serving in London, Malta, and France, and her later years as a writer and pacifist. The author's personal loss, including the death of her fiancé and her brother, and the impact of the war on her generation, is a central theme, offering a unique female perspective on the devastating effects of war.

4. Good-Bye to All That by Robert Graves

Cover of 'Good-Bye to All That' by Robert Graves

This memoir provides a candid and unflinching look at the horrors of World War I, as experienced by a young British officer. The narrative explores the brutality and futility of war, the author's struggle with shell shock, his disillusionment with the military and British society, and his decision to leave England for a new life abroad. It also offers insights into the author's personal life, including his troubled marriage and his relationships with other prominent figures of the time.

5. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

Cover of 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass' by Frederick Douglass

This autobiographical book provides a first-hand account of the life of a former slave, chronicling his experiences from his early years in bondage, his struggle to teach himself to read and write, his daring escape to freedom, and his subsequent rise as a prominent abolitionist. The narrative is a powerful exploration of the physical and psychological effects of slavery, making it a significant work in American history.

6. Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger

Cover of 'Storm of Steel' by Ernst Jünger

"Storm of Steel" is a memoir of a German officer's experiences during World War I. The book provides a detailed account of the daily life in the trenches, the brutal and chaotic nature of warfare, and the psychological impact on the soldiers. The author describes the horrors of war with a sense of detachment, viewing the battlefield as a place where one's character is tested and shaped. Despite the grim subject matter, the memoir is often noted for its poetic language and vivid imagery.

7. The Edge of the Sword by Charles De Gaulle

Cover of 'The Edge of the Sword' by Charles De Gaulle

"The Edge of the Sword" is a compelling exploration of the art of leadership and the nature of power. The author, a prominent military and political figure, delves into the essence of politics and the requirements of leadership, emphasizing the need for strength, courage, and an unwavering commitment to one's principles. The book also provides a unique insight into the author's own leadership style and his views on France's role in the world.

8. The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz

Cover of 'The Long Walk' by Slavomir Rawicz

"The Long Walk" is a harrowing narrative of a group of prisoners who escape from a Siberian gulag during World War II, and undertake a treacherous journey through the harsh Siberian wilderness, the Gobi desert, the Himalayas, and finally to India. The story is based on the author's own experiences and portrays the indomitable human spirit, survival against all odds, camaraderie, and the will to freedom.

9. No Picnic on Mount Kenya by Felice Benuzzi

Cover of 'No Picnic on Mount Kenya' by Felice Benuzzi

This book is a true story about three Italian prisoners of war in British East Africa during World War II who escape from their POW camp to climb Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest mountain. The narrative is not only about their audacious adventure, but also about the power of the human spirit, camaraderie, and the freedom of the wild. After their climb, they voluntarily return to their POW camp, where they are punished but also celebrated for their incredible feat.

10. Fortunate Son: The Autobiography of Lewis B. Puller Jr. by Lewis B. Puller

Cover of 'Fortunate Son: The Autobiography of Lewis B. Puller Jr.' by Lewis B. Puller

This autobiography chronicles the life of Lewis B. Puller Jr., a decorated Marine who served in the Vietnam War. The narrative explores his experiences in the war, the severe injuries he sustained that led to the amputation of his legs, and his subsequent struggles with depression and alcoholism. Despite these challenges, Puller displays resilience and determination, eventually becoming a successful lawyer and advocate for veterans' rights. His story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity.

11. Unfinished Business by Stephen Bonsal

Cover of 'Unfinished Business' by Stephen Bonsal

"Unfinished Business" is a historical account of the author's experiences and observations as a diplomat and journalist in the early 20th century. It provides an in-depth look at the political climate during that time, including the Spanish-American War, the Russo-Japanese War, and World War I. The author shares his personal insights and interactions with key figures of the era, offering readers a unique perspective on the events that shaped the world during this tumultuous time.

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War Books: Five Commanders Every Military Professional Should Study

Joe Byerly | 07.21.23

War Books: Five Commanders Every Military Professional Should Study

Editor’s note: Welcome to another installment of our weekly War Books series! The premise is simple and straightforward. We ask an expert on a particular subject to recommend five books on that topic and tell us what sets each one apart. War Books is a resource for MWI readers who want to learn more about important subjects related to modern war and are looking for books to add to their reading lists.

For this edition, we’re returning to a popular entry first published in 2019. Joe Byerly introduces readers to five commanders military professionals should study, explains the unique value of studying each, and recommends books on each commander for your reading list .

When we begin our military careers we have choices when it comes to how we’ll develop our leadership abilities. We can, for example, go through our careers stumbling through leadership as we figure it out along the way. The problem with this approach is that we only get the privilege of command for short windows of time, and by the time we start making headway it’s time to move on. Or, we could emulate those leaders who we observe throughout our careers. While there is merit to this approach, it relies on luck. We’re hoping to come in contact with really good commanders worth emulating (or that we will serve with really bad ones who provide an example of what not to do). There is also another choice, though, that brings us into contact with some of the greatest military leaders throughout history. We develop ourselves through reading about leaders who came before us.

Thankfully, we have had a number of Army leaders worthy of study. By studying their leadership we gain an understanding of the problems they faced, the decisions they made, their successes and mistakes, and how they approached the art of command. More importantly we gain points of traction by which to grow our leadership abilities and become the best version of ourselves as leaders.

Below are five Army leaders who I feel are worthy study. While I know there are many others that could be on this list, these are the ones who’ve inspired me over my military career.

The Self-Education of a General: Gen. George Washington

Washington was a self-taught general who didn’t have a professional military education system or a twenty-five-year career to prepare him for his senior leadership role. Prior to taking command of the Continental Army, Washington’s largest command was three hundred soldiers. However, what he lacked in experience he made up for in self-study. Washington took his military education seriously, grasping every opportunity to increase his knowledge of the art of war. He read every military science and history book he could find, making notes in the margins and eventually producing orders from them. This commitment prepared him for the challenge he faced during the Revolutionary War.

To learn more about Washington’s commitment to self-development, I encourage you to read A Powerful Mind: The Self-Education of George Washington by Adrienne Harrison, George Washington and the American Military Tradition by Don Higginbotham, and finally, Washington’s Crossing by David Hackett Fischer. The last title is a more macro view of the Revolutionary War; however, it reveals the crucial roles of contingency and bold leadership in the events that turned the tide in that war. The startling success of Washington and his compatriots not only saved the faltering American Revolution, but helped to give it new meaning.

Leadership in War: Gen. Ulysses S. Grant

Grant began his career as only an average officer, graduating twenty-first in a class of thirty-nine from the United States Military Academy. He didn’t come across as a natural military leader or a winner. His physical appearance would be the bane of any sergeant major, he had a drinking problem, he wasn’t successful in business, and he was a good deal shorter than Lincoln, Lee, and Sherman (Grant was only 5’8” tall). But when the US Civil War broke out, Grant made his mark. He led the Union Army to victories at the Battle of Shiloh and in the Vicksburg Campaign, and eventually defeated Gen. Robert E. Lee. Following a series of failed commanders, he became Lincoln’s most trusted military adviser.

Interested readers should first seek out The Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant , a must-read that offers many insights for leaders who may one day lead soldiers in combat. Through his memoirs, readers are transported into Grant’s mind as he tackled complicated problems, dealt with a myriad of personalities in his subordinate commanders, and came to terms with wartime decisions. A second book worth reading is the recently published Grant by Ron Chernow. This book offers an in-depth study of Grant’s life prior to the war, during the conflict, and into his presidency.

The Ultimate Mentor: Maj. Gen. Fox Conner

Mentor/protégé relationships are a critical component of our profession; therefore it’s worth studying those who did it well. Maj. Gen. Fox Conner had an uncanny ability to recognize talent in younger leaders and then work with them to unleash that talent throughout the careers. In World War I, Conner served as Gen. John J. Pershing’s assistant chief of staff for operations (G3) and in 1925 became deputy chief of staff of the Army.  But he left his most significant mark on the military by mentoring three young officers: George Marshall, Dwight Eisenhower, and George Patton. He met these future generals early in their careers and played a critical role in the rise of each one.

Conner’s mentorship is best captured in the book Grey Eminence: Fox Conner and the Art of Mentorship by Edward Cox. There are also several articles on Conner and his role as a mentor, including one by US Army Col. Curt Taylor , who writes, “Could it be that one of the most important heroes of World War II is a man most Americans have never heard of; a man whose only claim to fame is that he poured his life, his experience, and his wisdom into the development of [three] outstanding young leaders?”

How to Attack: Gen. George S. Patton

While Patton needs little introduction, his commitment to deliberate self-development is often overshadowed by his reputation as a man of action. Patton’s way of war was not shaped by doctrine and field problems alone. Throughout his life, he complemented his experiences with a disciplined effort of reading and self-study. Beginning in his early twenties, he used the margins of books, notebooks, and notecards to capture his thoughts and reflections, further enhancing his self-development. As a cadet at West Point, he scribbled “rear attack” and “flank attack” in the margins of his books. Decades later, these words would define his aggressive nature as a field commander. Patton also sought to influence his profession from the earliest part of his career, which he managed to do even as a young lieutenant, by publishing articles in journals.

To learn more about Patton, I recommend three books: 21 st Century Patton by J. Furman Daniel III, which is a published selection of Patton’s articles and speeches, along with great commentary by Daniel. Next, Patton: A Genius for War by Carlo D’Este, which is one of the best biographies on the general. Finally, The Patton Mind by Roger Nye, which examines the roots of Patton’s genius by analyzing all of the books Patton read and his notes on them.

To Train an Army: Gen. Donn Starry

As military leaders we should want nothing more than to give our enemies an unfair fight—with the advantage in our favor. And one way in which we do this is through training our forces. I can’t think of anyone who has written as extensively on the “why” and “how” of training as Gen. Donn Starry. In Vietnam, he commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Following the war, he served as the commander of the Armor School, V Corps in Germany, and eventually Training and Doctrine Command. Under his leadership, the Army developed the AirLand Battle Doctrine in the early 1980s, which set the stage for the next two decades of force development. He retired in 1983 after commanding US Readiness Command.

Thanks to the Combat Studies Institute at Fort Leavenworth we can now read (for free!!) Starry’s most important speeches, articles, and memorandums in an excellent two-volume series titled Press On!  He wrote about everything from strategy, logistics, leadership, and training to noncommissioned officer development, the role of the command sergeant major in organizations, values, and more. One thing that stands out is his ability to communicate. In his writings, he’s able to concisely describe a problem, develop an operational solution, outline the Army’s strategic approach to implementing that solution, and describe the tactical effects. This series is one of the most important additions to my professional library.

Learning from the Past

I hope the leaders I presented will spur your own interest in them and help you develop your own leadership abilities. In his dedicatory letter to the opening of The Prince , Niccolò Machiavelli wrote that the thing he holds most dear is the “the knowledge of the actions of great men, acquired by long experience in contemporary affairs, and a continual study of antiquity.” That is something we too should hold dear. One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is the study of past leaders.

Lt. Col. Joe Byerly is a US Army armor officer who currently commands 4th Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment. A former nonresident fellow with the Modern War Institute, he founded the leader development website From the Green Notebook.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.

David Emery

I've been interested in Conner for a very long time, and I'm glad to see the new interest including the first full biography (which is pretty good.) But no one has yet addressed the question I have: How did "Conner become Conner?" There's nothing obvious in Conner's background that indicates how he became such a student of history and warfare, and built the library that Ike (presumably among others) used. I don't think "He went to West Point" is anywhere near sufficient (if so, shouldn't we see a bunch of Conner's peers who were similarly inspired?) And I sure wish we had a list of books in Conner's library. It was such a loss to history that Conner's papers were destroyed (at his direction.)

william Greenberg

A much better book concerning Fox Conner is General Fox Conner: Pershing’s Chief of Operations and Eisenhower’s Mentor (The Generals) . This is the first full length biography on Conner, which will cover your questions on his development as an officer. There is also a new biography on GEN Starry that was published last year. I would advise to read the biography before you read his writings to give the reader some context on his speeches and writings.

John T Kuehn

Here is my list, for American officers, which will probably change in an hour:

On War-Carl von Clausewitz, Howard and Paret Translation Defeat into Victory-Field Marshal Slim War and the Liberal Conscience-Sir Michael Howard With the Old Breed-Eugene Sledge Inside HItler's High Command -Geoff Megargee (for HOW NOT to be a military leader)

1944

No better book on WW2, Steven Ambrose 'Citizen Soldiers'. Also, 'St.Vith' Lion in the Way' by R.Ernest Dupuy, for small unit history there is no better.

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Second world war image from Sicily, 1943

Andrew Sharples' top 10 war memoirs

From thrilling accounts of derring-do to bitter descriptions of the human fallout, here are 10 memoirs of conflict which inspired and moved me

I ’ve always been fascinated by war. From the earliest age, I loved reading books on the subject and was captivated by stories of courage and resourcefulness under fire. Eventually I joined the army to experience war for myself but, despite a tour of duty in Iraq, I left after four years, without having fired a shot in anger, to pursue a career in journalism. When my friend Mark Evans asked me to write Code Black with him, the story of his war in Afghanistan and the mental scars it inflicted, I got to hear first-hand what it was like to go into combat. Listening to him describe his experiences was compelling but it also reminded me of the human cost of war. During countless hours spent talking, we discovered that we’d read many of the same memoirs, some of which had inspired us, while others made us doubt our motivations. Here are 10 of the most remarkable.

1. Memoirs of An Infantry Officer by Siegfried Sassoon

This book starkly demonstrates how exposure to the brutality and futility of war is a potent antidote to the restless enthusiasm of youth. Most who join up would recognise something of themselves in Sassoon’s description of a young man hungry for action, desperate to win the respect of his peers. Too many would also identify with the man portrayed at the end, broken by the death he’d seen and furious with the world around him.

English poet and novelist Siegfried Sassoon (1886 - 1967) in army uniform.

2. The Junior Officers’ Reading Club by Patrick Hennessey

This was the first book about the war in Afghanistan I could properly relate to. Patrick Hennessey trained with me at Sandhurst and we served in Iraq at the same time. In The Junior Officers’ Reading Club he brings to life what it was like to join the army in the post 9/11 world, with the promise that we, unlike the previous generation, would get to fight. When reality fails to live up to expectations on a relatively peaceful tour in Iraq, the author’s frustration begins to build. He finally gets everything he joined for and more when he reaches Helmand.

3. My War Gone By, I Miss It So by Anthony Loyd

For a certain kind of person war is a drug and nowhere is that more apparent than in Anthony Loyd’s account of his time as a correspondent in Bosnia. While immersed in the conflict, Loyd is high on adrenaline, but on returning home, the only way he can achieve that rush is through heroin, and he slips into addiction. The beauty of the prose urged me forward but every few pages the description of a fresh horror stopped me dead in my tracks.

Woman in the destroyed National Library hall after shelling in Sarajevo on August 26, 1992

4. Eastern Approaches by Fitzroy Maclean

Some books seem to have been written expressly to remind me how dull my life has been and how meagre my accomplishments. Eastern Approaches is certainly one of those books. Fitzroy Maclean takes us along with him on his adventures, pitting his wits against the NKVD in Soviet Russia, fighting with the SAS in the Western Desert, and parachuting into Yugoslavia to track down Tito. He’s a British adventurer of the old school and stories like his make the world a more exciting place.

5. Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab

Bravo Two Zero was probably the first war memoir I ever read and my introduction to the world of special forces. I devoured it in a single sitting, captivated by the sheer toughness of these SAS men who seemed then, as they do now, positively superhuman. It made me feel I was there, right in the middle of a desperate firefight and then, later, caged in a dank prison cell, waiting to be tortured. The story is brutal but as a teenager, I wanted nothing more than to be tested in the same way as McNab and his comrades.

Andy McNab pictured in the western Iraqi desert in 2003, near the point where he was dropped in 1991.

6. Mussolini, His Part in My Downfall by Spike Milligan

Soldiers find a lot to laugh about in war, but Spike Milligan’s surreal take on the second world war is unparalleled. Mussolini, His Part in My Downfall is the fourth volume of his memoirs and covers Spike’s time fighting in Italy in 1943. “I was wondering about the landing,” says one soldier on a ship off the Italian coast. “Don’t worry about the landing, I’ll Hoover it in the morning,” replies Spike. The gags keep coming, even as the fighting intensifies, but eventually the strain begins to take its toll, even on Spike. The book ends with the author suffering what we now call post-traumatic stress disorder, and being demoted for unreliable conduct. “I am by now completely demoralised,” he writes. “All the laughing had stopped.”

Spike Milligan

7. The Face of War by Martha Gellhorn

Martha Gellhorn is one of the most celebrated war correspondents of the 20th century and this collection of her journalism shows why. Starting with the Spanish civil war, she covered conflicts around the world for more than 50 years, putting herself in the line of fire time and again. Many books speak about the barbarity of war, and this one does too. What makes it special for me though is how it reminds us that war can also sometimes be deeply, regrettably necessary.

Martha Gellhorn

8. Dispatches by Michael Herr

I reread Dispatches recently and what struck me most was not the descriptions of combat that blew me away the first time – although these are still fiercely vivid – but rather the characters Michael Herr meets in Vietnam. In just a few short sentences, Herr manages to sum up entire personalities. There’s the veteran killer who’s left sanity far behind; the war-chasing journalists, desperate for adrenaline and glory; and, of course, the average grunts who are slogging their way through, longing just to get back home. You find the same types in every warzone across the world, but no writer has done a better job of cataloguing them and capturing what war has done to make them how they are.

9. A Guards Officer in the Peninsula And at Waterloo: The Letters of Captain George Bowles, Coldstream Guards 1807-1819 by George Bowles

This collection of a Guards officer’s letters home provides a fascinating insight into what it was like to fight in Wellington’s army against Napoleon. Because the author didn’t write with the intention of being published, it is much more intimate than most memoirs. The book highlights how hard it was to be away from family for so long. Unlike in today’s wars, where British soldiers go on tour for six-month stints, Bowles was campaigning for the best part of 12 years. I find the minutiae of military life that he describes fascinating. Many of the letters deal with his continuing quest to procure a good horse. Little has changed – soldiers still obsess about having the best kit and their letters home are full of sentiments that Bowles and his comrades would instantly recognise.

10. Wild Swans by Jung Chang

This isn’t a war memoir in the strictest sense, but as it covers almost 100 years of China’s history, armed conflict looms large. Jung Chang tells the story of three generations of women in her family – her grandmother, mother and the author herself. The book opens with the violent break-up of imperial China, then moves on to the Japanese invasion and occupation, before the communists take over at the end of the second world war. It describes with exceptional clarity the suffering of the Chinese population, serving as a powerful reminder that it is often civilians, not soldiers, that endure the worst horrors of war.

  • War reporting
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29 Best Military, Biography & Autobiography Books

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Military, Biography & Autobiography is a popular category for many book lovers. Our team at Speechify has curated a list of the top Military, Biography & Autobiography audiobooks everyone must read.

See the top 29 Military, Biography & Autobiography audiobooks below.

A Knock at the Door

A Knock at the Door

  • By: Ory Slonim
  • Length: 9 hours 30 minutes
  • Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
  • Publish date: March 15, 2022
  • Language: English
  • 4.8 (2 ratings)

The inside story of Israel’s secret negotiations to bring home their soldiers taken hostage by terrorist groups.

Suppose one day, your son or husband, while serving in the military or working as a journalist, is taken hostage by a terrorist group–and you have no idea whether your loved one is dead or alive or how to even make contact with the insurgents holding him. It’s a nightmare scenario that has sadly taken place dozens of times in the past twenty years in the Middle East.

Here in the U.S., the government does not always get involved. Instead, it will engage the services of a neutral country to negotiate with the terrorists.

Unfortunately, many times the terrorists insist on never-ending demands in order to torment the family of the hostage. Unlike Israel, we’ve never had a central address for these types of scenarios. But maybe after reading this book, it’s an idea we could, and should, consider. Ory Slonim, the international “door knocker,” was an invention of necessity by the Israeli government.

There were many good and brave human beings involved in this matter. Here for the first time is the story of the one man in Israel who, for more than two decades, was known as the “door knocker.” He had been a private Israeli lawyer when he was asked to undertake, on behalf of the Israeli government, secret negotiations to find out the whereabouts of Israeli soldiers who were taken alive. In his capacity as negotiator, his story will take you into the worlds of the furtive Mossad, the twisted minds of terrorists, the forever traumatized lives of the parents whose children never came home from battle, and into Ory’s own resilient, compassionate, and amazingly resolute negotiations when ordinary people would have easily broken down.hostage by terrorist groups. His ultimate mission was to bring them home, dead oralive. In his capacity as negotiator, his story will take you into the worlds of the furtive Mossad, the twisted minds of terrorists, the forever traumatized lives of the parents whose children never came home from battle, and into Ory’s own resilient, compassionate, and amazingly resolute negotiations when ordinary people would have easily broken down.

We March at Midnight

We March at Midnight

  • By: Ray McPadden
  • Narrator: Will Damron
  • Length: 9 hours 3 minutes
  • Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
  • Publish date: January 01, 2021
  • 4.57 (94 ratings)

What would the war do without me?

We March at Midnight is award-winning author Ray McPadden’s chronicle of his experience as a highly decorated Ranger Officer leading some of the most dangerous missions during the height of the Iraq and Afghan wars. In 2005, Ray joined the army in search of what he calls “the moment”–a chance to prove to himself and his brothers in arms that he is a true leader. His job is to establish the first outpost in the Korengal, Afghanistan’s deadliest valley, and his decisions and mistakes will have a permanent impact on the men he commands. During the fifteen-month tour, his unit receives numerous decorations for valor while suffering nearly 50 percent casualties, ultimately accomplishing their mission in a land considered unwinnable.

Prowess with a rifle platoon soon earns Ray a position in the world’s premiere raiding force, the 75th Ranger Regiment, an accomplishment earned by less than 1 percent of the officers in the US Army, and during the most combat-heavy period of the twenty-first century. Ray spearheads the first joint-strike force of Army Rangers and Navy SEALs, in a shadow war against the agents of a foreign government, where lightning raids by helicopter, armored vehicle, and foot are his nightly routine.

In 2009, when Ray returns to the same corner of Afghanistan where his military career began, he suddenly finds himself tasked with leading Rangers against a target he knows all too well: the home of friends from his first tour. As he leads one last raid, Ray is at war with himself. Conquering this unexpected enemy proves the greatest challenge of all.

We March at Midnight is a blood-spattered tour de force of growing up, leadership, the nature of war, and its aftermath.

What We Give

What We Give

  • By: Terry Salman
  • Length: 8 hours 18 minutes
  • Publisher: Page Two Books, Inc.
  • Publish date: November 01, 2022
  • 4.5 (3 ratings)

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” –Winston Churchill

What makes a soldier? What makes a business mind? What makes a philanthropist? In this rich memoir, Canadian icon of mining finance and public service Terry Salman reflects on his remarkable life, offering inspiration and mentorship for others seeking to build their own legacies.

Salman traces his journey from his modest beginnings in Montreal as the son of a Turkish immigrant father and Quebec-born mother, to the traumas of the Vietnam War, to his rise up the Canadian business world, and the growing dedication to service that earned him the Order of Canada.

He recounts the moments that shaped him: the brotherhood of the U.S. Marines and the lifelong duty of loyalty and community they instilled in him; the traumas he endured as a young sergeant in Vietnam; his return to Canada and the mentors who helped guide his success; and his many roles in helping others.

As he climbs the corporate ladder, his deep-seated faith and commitment to social responsibility grows. He takes on leadership roles, including chairman of the Vancouver Public Library Foundation and the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation–where he helped fund a hospice for AIDS patients–and Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Singapore.

Offering an inside view at the Canadian business, political, and philanthropic landscape, What We Give is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand how some are driven to succeed, and to give back.

Fighter Pilot

Fighter Pilot

  • By: Robin Olds
  • Narrator: Robertson Dean
  • Length: 17 hours 2 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2010
  • 4.45 (2224 ratings)

A larger-than-life hero with a towering personality, Robin Olds was a graduate of West Point and an inductee in the National College Football Hall of Fame for his All-American performance for Army. In World War II, Olds quickly became a top fighter pilot and squadron commander by the age of twenty-two—a double ace with twelve aerial victories. But it was in Vietnam where the man became a legend. He motivated a dejected group of pilots by placing himself under junior officers and challenging them to train him properly. He led the wing with aggressiveness, scoring another four confirmed kills and becoming a rare triple ace. With his marriage to Hollywood actress and pinup girl Ella Raines, his nonregulation mustache and penchant for drink, Olds was a unique individual whose story is one of the most eagerly anticipated military books of the year.

Bloody Ridge and Beyond

Bloody Ridge and Beyond

  • By: Marlin Groft
  • Narrator: Joe Barrett
  • Length: 12 hours 13 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2014
  • 4.44 (143 ratings)

A story of sacrifice and defiance at Guadalcanal, from the New York Times bestselling coauthor of A Higher Call and Biggest Brother

On the killing ground that was the island of Guadalcanal, a two-thousand-yard-long ridge rose from the jungle canopy. Behind it lay the all-important air base of Henderson Field. And if Henderson Field fell, it would mean the almost certain death or capture of all 12,500 marines on the island.

But the marines positioned on the ridge were no normal fighters–they were the hard-fighting men of Edson’s Raiders, an elite fighting unit within an already elite Marine Corps. Handpicked for their toughness and submitted to a rigorous training program to weed out those less fit, they were the best of the best.

For two hellish nights in September 1942, about 840 marines–commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Merritt Austin “Red Mike” Edson–fought one of the most pivotal battles of World War II in the Pacific, clinging desperately to their position on what would soon be known as Bloody Ridge.

Wave after wave of attacking Japanese soldiers were repelled by the Raiders, who knew that defeat and retreat were simply not options. In the end, and against all odds, the defenders prevailed.

Bloody Ridge and Beyond is the story of the First Marine Raider Battalion, which showed courage and valor in the face of overwhelming numbers, as told by Marlin Groft, a man who was a member of this incredible fighting force.

Witness to the Storm

Witness to the Storm

  • By: Werner T. Angress
  • Narrator: Stefan Rudnicki
  • Length: 15 hours 21 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2019
  • 4.39 (10 ratings)

On June 6, 1944, Werner T. Angress parachuted down from a C-47 into German-occupied France with the 82nd Airborne Division. Nine days later, he was captured behind enemy lines and, concealing his identity as a German-born Jew, became a prisoner of war. Eventually, he was freed by US forces, rejoined the fight, and participated in the liberation of a concentration camp.

Although he was an American soldier, less than ten years before he had been an enthusiastically patriotic German-Jewish boy. Rejected and threatened by the Nazi regime, the Angress family fled to Amsterdam to escape persecution and death, and young Angress then found his way to the United States.

In Witness to the Storm , Angress weaves the spellbinding story of his life, including his escape from Germany, his new life in the United States, and his experiences in World War II. A testament to the power of perseverance and forgiveness, Witness to the Storm is the powerful tale of one man’s struggle to fight for and rescue the country that had betrayed him.

Forty Autumns

Forty Autumns

  • By: Nina Willner
  • Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
  • Length: 10 hours 4 minutes
  • Publisher: HarperAudio
  • Publish date: October 04, 2016
  • 4.36 (6183 ratings)

In this illuminating and deeply moving memoir, a former American military intelligence officer goes beyond traditional Cold War espionage tales to tell the true story of her family–of five women separated by the Iron Curtain for more than forty years, and their miraculous reunion after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Forty Autumns makes visceral the pain and longing of one family forced to live apart in a world divided by two. At twenty, Hanna escaped from East to West Germany. But the price of freedom–leaving behind her parents, eight siblings, and family home–was heartbreaking. Uprooted, Hanna eventually moved to America, where she settled down with her husband and had children of her own.

Growing up near Washington, D.C., Hanna’s daughter, Nina Willner became the first female Army Intelligence Officer to lead sensitive intelligence operations in East Berlin at the height of the Cold War. Though only a few miles separated American Nina and her German relatives–grandmother Oma, Aunt Heidi, and cousin, Cordula, a member of the East German Olympic training team–a bitter political war kept them apart.

In Forty Autumns , Nina recounts her family’s story–five ordinary lives buffeted by circumstances beyond their control. She takes us deep into the tumultuous and terrifying world of East Germany under Communist rule, revealing both the cruel reality her relatives endured and her own experiences as an intelligence officer, running secret operations behind the Berlin Wall that put her life at risk.

A personal look at a tenuous era that divided a city and a nation, and continues to haunt us, Forty Autumns is an intimate and beautifully written story of courage, resilience, and love–of five women whose spirits could not be broken, and who fought to preserve what matters most: family.

Lee

  • By: Charles Bracelen Flood
  • Narrator: Michael Anthony
  • Length: 10 hours 25 minutes
  • 4.35 (409 ratings)

Robert E. Lee, one of the most famous figures in American history, vanished after his dramatic surrender at Appomattox. In fact, he lived only another five years, during which time he did more than any other American to heal the wounds between North and South during the tempestuous postwar period.

This is a moving and intimate account of those years filled with the warmth of family ties and enduring friendships set against the harsh realities of Reconstruction. Though Lee is best remembered for his military campaigns, this was his finest hour, the great forgotten chapter of an extraordinary life.

Mission

  • By: Robert Matzen
  • Narrator: Peter Berkrot
  • Length: 11 hours 46 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2017
  • 4.34 (443 ratings)

In March 1941, Jimmy Stewart, America’s boy next door and recent Academy Award winner, left fame and fortune behind and joined the United States Army Air Corps to fulfill his family mission and serve his country. He rose from private to colonel and participated in twenty often-brutal World War II combat missions over Germany and France. In mere months, the war took away his boyish looks as he faced near-death experiences and the loss of men under his command. The war finally won, he returned home with millions of other veterans to face an uncertain future, suffering what we now know as PTSD. Younger stars like Gregory Peck were now getting roles that might have been Stewart’s, and he didn’t know if he would ever work in Hollywood again. Then came It’s a Wonderful Life .

For the next half century, Stewart refused to discuss his combat experiences and took the story of his service to the grave. Mission presents the first in-depth look at Stewart’s life as a squadron commander in the skies over Germany, his return to Hollywood, and the changed man who embarked on production of America’s most beloved holiday classic.

Author Robert Matzen sifted through thousands of Air Force combat reports and the Stewart personnel files; interviewed surviving aviators who flew with Stewart; visited the James Stewart Papers at Brigham Young University; flew in the cockpits of the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator; and walked the earth of air bases in England used by Stewart in his combat missions of 1943 through 1945. What emerges in Mission is the story of a Jimmy Stewart you never knew until now–a story more fantastic than any he brought to the screen.

About Face

  • By: David H. Hackworth
  • Narrator: John Pruden
  • Length: 40 hours 38 minutes
  • 4.34 (4011 ratings)

Called “everything a twentieth-century war memoir could possibly be” by the New York Times, this national bestseller by Colonel David H. Hackworth presents a vivid and powerful portrait of a life of patriotism.

From age fifteen to forty, David Hackworth devoted himself to the US Army and fast became a living legend. In 1971, however, he appeared on television to decry the doomed war effort in Vietnam. With About Face , he has written what many Vietnam veterans have called the most important book of their generation.

From Korea to Berlin, from the Cuban missile crisis to Vietnam, Hackworth’s story is that of an exemplary patriot, played out against the backdrop of the changing fortunes of America and the American military. It is also a stunning indictment of the Pentagon’s fundamental misunderstanding of the Vietnam conflict and of the bureaucracy of self-interest that fueled the war.

Napoleon

  • By: Adam Zamoyski
  • Narrator: Leighton Pugh
  • Length: 27 hours 10 minutes
  • Publisher: Hachette Audio
  • Publish date: October 16, 2018
  • 4.33 (1538 ratings)

The definitive biography of Napoleon — hailed as “magnificent” by The Economist .

“What a novel my life has been!” Napoleon once said of himself. Born into a poor family, the callow young man was, by twenty-six, an army general. Seduced by an older woman, his marriage transformed him into a galvanizing military commander. The Pope crowned him as Emperor of the French when he was only thirty-five. Within a few years, he became the effective master of Europe, his power unparalleled in modern history. His downfall was no less dramatic.

The story of Napoleon has been written many times. In some versions, he is a military genius, in others a war-obsessed tyrant. Here, historian Adam Zamoyski cuts through the mythology and explains Napoleon against the background of the European Enlightenment, and what he was himself seeking to achieve. This most famous of men is also the most hidden of men, and Zamoyski dives deeper than any previous biographer to find him. Beautifully written, Napoleon brilliantly sets the man in his European context.

SOG

  • By: John L. Plaster
  • Narrator: Arthur Morey
  • Length: 14 hours 17 minutes
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
  • 4.32 (1224 ratings)

John Plaster’s riveting account of his covert activities as a member of a special operations team during the Vietnam War is “a true insider’s account, this eye-opening report will leave readers feeling as if they’ve been given a hot scoop on a highly classified project” ( Publishers Weekly ). Code-named the Studies and Observations Group, SOG was the most secret elite US military unit to serve in the Vietnam War–so secret its very existence was denied by the government. Composed entirely of volunteers from such ace fighting units as the Army Green Berets, Air Force Air Commandos, and Navy SEALs, SOG took on the most dangerous covert assignments, in the deadliest and most forbidding theaters of operation. In SOG , Major John L. Plaster, a three-tour SOG veteran, shares the gripping exploits of these true American warriors in a minute-by-minute, heartbeat-by-heartbeat account of the group’s stunning operations behind enemy lines–penetrating heavily defended North Vietnamese military facilities, holding off mass enemy attacks, launching daring missions to rescue downed US pilots. Some of the most extraordinary true stories of honor and heroism in the history of the US military, from sabotage to espionage to hand-to-hand combat, Plaster’s account is “a detailed history of this little-known aspect of the Vietnam War…a worthy act of historical rescue from an unjustified, willed oblivion” ( The New York Times ).

Rise

  • By: Daniel Rodriguez
  • Narrator: Andrew Eiden
  • Length: 7 hours 49 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2015
  • 4.32 (220 ratings)

The unforgettable story of a young soldier who survived one of the bloodiest battles in Afghanistan and lived to pursue his dream of playing Division I college football

At five foot eight, 175 pounds, Daniel Rodriguez was an unlikely recruit for the gridiron. But on the battlefield, under the daily rain of sniper fire, he made a promise to his best friend. “When I get out of this shit hole, I’m going to play college football.”

Daniel had joined the Army just weeks after graduating from high school, having recently suffered a devastating loss. At age nineteen he had no idea what war really was; he just wanted to get out of town. Almost immediately, he was deployed to Iraq, and he would later serve in Afghanistan. And he grew up fast–stopped sleeping, started smoking. Killing became second nature. He fought in the infamous Battle of Kamdesh, and for his bravery he was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. But his best friend was not so lucky.

Against all odds, Daniel returned home–broken but still alive. Stuck in the clutches of PTSD, Daniel remembered the promise he made to his friend and knew he had to make good on it. He embarked on a grueling training regimen, and when he posted a video of his efforts, it went viral overnight. By some mix of grit, determination, and the power of the Internet, he earned a spot on the Clemson University football team.

A powerfully delivered narrative of a young soldier, his unlikely dream, and how he found his way out of darkness, Rise is inspiring, quintessentially American, and will resonate with anyone who has ever fought for what they wanted.

House to House

House to House

  • By: David Bellavia
  • Narrator: Ray Porter
  • Length: 9 hours 21 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2006
  • 4.3 (4901 ratings)

This is the personal side of battle, where emotion, courage, and strength are stretched to the limits.

Bringing to searing life the terrifying intimacy of hand-to-hand infantry combat, House to House is far more than just another war story—it is one of the most compelling combat narratives ever written. Populated by an indelibly drawn cast of characters, it develops the intensely close relationships that form between soldiers under fire. Their friendships, tested in brutal combat, would never be quite the same. What happened to them in their bloody embrace with America’s most implacable enemy is a harrowing, unforgettable story of triumph, tragedy, and the resiliency of the human spirit.

Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, army infantry platoon leader, gives a teeth-rattling, first-hand account of eleven straight days of heavy house-to-house fighting during the climactic second battle of Fallujah. His actions in the firefight, which included killing five insurgents in hand-to-hand combat, earned Bellavia the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, and New York state’s highest military honor, the Conspicuous Service Cross. He has been nominated for the Medal of Honor and for the army’s second highest combat medal, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Beyond Band of Brothers

Beyond Band of Brothers

  • By: Dick Winters
  • Narrator: Tom Weiner
  • Length: 9 hours 55 minutes
  • 4.3 (14869 ratings)

“Tells the tales left untold by Stephen Ambrose, whose Band of Brothers was the inspiration for the HBO miniseries…laced with Winters’s soldierly exaltations of pride in his comrades’ bravery.”–Publishers Weekly

In war, great commanders lead soldiers into hell to do the impossible.

They were called Easy Company–but their mission was never easy. Immortalized as the Band of Brothers, they suffered huge casualties while liberating Europe in an unparalleled record of bravery under fire. Dick Winters led them through the Battle of the Bulge, the attack on Foy–where Easy Company reached its breaking point–and finally into Germany, by which time each member had been wounded. Outside Munich, they liberated an SS death camp and captured Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s alpine retreat.

Beyond Band of Brothers is Winters’s memoir, based on his wartime diary, but it also includes his comrades’ untold stories. Only Winters was present from the activation of Easy Company until the war’s end. This is their story, told in his words for the first time.

Campaigning with Grant

Campaigning with Grant

  • By: Horace Porter
  • Narrator: Noah Waterman
  • Length: 12 hours 19 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2008
  • 4.29 (96 ratings)

Horace Porter served as lieutenant colonel on Ulysses S. Grant’s staff from April 1864 to the end of the Civil War. He accompanied Grant into battle in the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg campaigns, and was present at Lee’s surrender at McLean’s house. Throughout the war, he kept extensive notes that capture Grant’s conversations, as well as his own observations of military life.

Porter’s portrait of Grant is the most comprehensive first-hand account that we have. We see Grant as a soldier and hear in his own words the tactical evaluations that led to many of the war’s key decisions. We also hear of Grant’s dealings with Lincoln, of the close relationship between Sherman and Grant, and of Lee’s noble bearing at his surrender. This is a stirring account of our country’s most memorable conflict.

13 Hours

  • By: Mitchell Zuckoff
  • Narrator: Mitchell Zuckoff
  • Length: 7 hours 43 minutes
  • Publish date: August 28, 2018
  • 4.29 (15108 ratings)

13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi: Booktrack Edition adds an immersive musical soundtrack to your audiobook listening experience!

The harrowing, true account from the brave men on the ground who fought back during the Battle of Benghazi.

13 Hours presents, for the first time ever, the true account of the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there. Those men went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale. This is their personal account, never before told, of what happened during the thirteen hours of that now-infamous attack.

13 Hours sets the record straight on what happened during a night that has been shrouded in mystery and controversy. Written by New York Times bestselling author Mitchell Zuckoff, this riveting audiobook takes listeners into the action-packed story of heroes who laid their lives on the line for one another, for their countrymen, and for their country.

13 HOURS is a stunning, eye-opening, and intense audiobook — but most importantly, it is the truth. The story of what happened to these men — and what they accomplished — is unforgettable.

Booktrack is an immersive format that pairs traditional audiobook narration to complementary music. The tempo and rhythm of the score are in perfect harmony with the action and characters throughout the audiobook. Gently playing in the background, the music never overpowers or distracts from the narration, so listeners can enjoy every minute. When you purchase this Booktrack edition, you receive the exact narration as the traditional audiobook available, with the addition of music throughout.

The Nightingale’s Song

The Nightingale’s Song

  • By: Robert Timberg
  • Narrator: Patrick Lawlor
  • Length: 22 hours 8 minutes
  • 4.26 (568 ratings)

Robert Timberg weaves together the lives of Annapolis graduates John McCain, James Webb, Oliver North, Robert McFarlane, and John Poindexter to reveal how the Vietnam War continues to haunt America. Casting all five men as metaphors for a legion of well-meaning if ill-starred warriors, Timberg probes the fault line between those who fought the war and those who used money, wit, and connections to avoid battle. A riveting tale that illuminates the flip side of the fabled Vietnam generation: those who went.

Never Quit

  • By: Jimmy Settle
  • Narrator: Chris Abell
  • Length: 9 hours 54 minutes
  • 4.26 (837 ratings)

The epic memoir of an Alaskan pararescue jumper, Special Forces Operator, and decorated war hero

“That Others May Live” is a mantra that defines the fearless men of Alaska’s 212th Pararescue Unit, the PJs, one of the most elite military forces on the planet. Whether they are rescuing citizens injured and freezing in the Alaskan wilderness or saving wounded Rangers and SEALS in blazing firefights at war, the PJs are the least known and most highly trained of America’s warriors.

Never Quit is the true story of how Jimmy Settle, an Alaskan shoe-store clerk, became a Special Forces Operator and war hero. After being shot in the head during a dangerous high mountain operation in the rugged Watapur Valley in Afghanistan, Jimmy returns to battle with his teammates for a heroic rescue, the bullet fragments stitched over and still in his skull. In a cross between a suicide rescue mission and an against-all-odds mountain battle, his team of PJs risk their lives again in an epic firefight. When his helicopter is hit and begins leaking fuel, Jimmy finds himself in the worst possible position as a rescue specialist–forced to leave members from his own team behind. Jimmy will have to risk everything to get back into the battle and bring back his brothers.

From death-defying Alaskan wilderness training, wild rescues, and vicious battles against the Taliban, this is an explosive special operations memoir unlike any that has come before and the true story of a man from humble beginnings who became an American hero.

Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, Part Two

Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, Part Two

  • By: Ulysses S. Grant
  • Narrator: Ulysses S. Grant
  • Length: 9 hours 42 minutes
  • Publish date: March 10, 2008
  • 4.25 (2 ratings)

Part Two: The Vicksburg Campaign General Grant wrote this book while dying of throat cancer. He had been swindled by a dishonest Wall Street Broker and his trophies and possessions were stripped from him to satisfy the demands of his debtors. Bankrupt, suffering from a terminal illness and never passing a moment without acute pain, he produced this magnificent monument to his greatness. Those who denigrate Grant as a drunkard, butcher or bumbling President need to read this book in order to correct these errant assumptions. It is impossible to read this book and not realize that Grant was an inordinately intelligent man and one hell of a writer. Grant’s Memoirs are a deserved classic in American literature and considered the greatest military Memoirs ever penned, exceeding Caesar’s Commentaries. Grant wrote as he lived: with clear, concise statements, unembellished with trivialities or frivolities. The only “criticism” the reader might have is that Grant bent over backwards not to wound the feelings of people in the book. He takes swipes at Joe Hooker and Jeff Davis, but what he left unsaid would have been far more interesting. A compelling and logical reason why Grant was so spare in his comments was because he was involved in a race with death. He didn’t know how long he could live and therefore, “cut to the chase.”

Hope Unseen

Hope Unseen

  • By: Scotty Smiley
  • Narrator: Dan John Miller
  • Length: 6 hours 22 minutes
  • Publisher: Dreamscape Media
  • Publish date: November 30, 2010
  • 4.23 (447 ratings)

Blindness became Captain Scotty Smiley’s journey of supreme testing. As he lay helpless in the hospital, he resented the theft of his dreams, but with his wife’s love and the support of family and friends, Scotty’s response became God’s transforming moment. Since the moment he forced his way through nurses and cords to take a simple shower, he has climbed Mount Rainier, won an ESPY Award, surfed, skydived, become a father, earned an MBA from Duke, taught leadership at West Point, and won the MacArthur Leadership Award. Scotty and Tiffany Smiley have lived out a faith so real that it will inspire you to question your own doubts, push you to serve something bigger than yourself, and encourage you to cling to a Hope Unseen.

Company Commander

Company Commander

  • By: Charles B. MacDonald
  • Narrator: Tristan Morris
  • Length: 12 hours 34 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2016
  • 4.23 (2901 ratings)

As a newly commissioned captain of a veteran US Army regiment, MacDonald’s first combat experience was war at its most hellish–the Battle of the Bulge.

In this plainspoken but eloquent narrative, we live each minute at MacDonald’s side, sharing in all of combat’s misery, terror, and drama. How this green commander gains his men’s loyalty in the snows of war-torn Europe is one of the most unforgettable war stories of all time.

The Great Escape

The Great Escape

  • By: Paul Brickhill
  • Narrator: Simon Vance
  • Length: 7 hours 36 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2009
  • 4.22 (1573 ratings)

It was a split-second operation as delicate and as deadly as a time bomb. It demanded the concentrated devotion and vigilance of more than six hundred American and British air force officers, every single one of them, every minute, every hour, every day, and every night for more than a year. With only their bare hands and the crudest of homemade tools, they sank shafts, built underground railroads, forged passports, drew maps, faked weapons, and tailored German uniforms and civilian clothes. They developed a fantastic security system to protect themselves from the German “ferrets” who prowled the compounds with nerve-racking tenacity and suspicion. And against all odds, they pulled off a daring mass escape from a German POW camp.

Danger Close

Danger Close

  • By: Amber Smith
  • Narrator: Rachel Fulginiti
  • Length: 7 hours 59 minutes
  • Publish date: September 06, 2016
  • 4.22 (186 ratings)

Amber Smith flew into enemy fire in some of the most dangerous combat zones in the world. One of only a few women to fly the Kiowa Warrior helicopter, Smith rose to Pilot-in-Command and Air Mission Commander in the premier Kiowa unit in the Army, repeatedly flying into harm’s way during her 2005 and 2008 deployments with the 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles. Smith takes you into the heat of battle, enabling readers to feel, hear, and smell the experience of serving as a combat pilot in high-intensity warfare. She learned to perform under pressure and persevere under extreme duress-both in action against an implacable enemy and within the elite boy’s club of Army aviation.

One Party After Another

One Party After Another

  • By: Michael Crick
  • Narrator: Richard Attlee
  • Length: 20 hours 44 minutes
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
  • Publish date: January 01, 2022
  • 4.21 (53 ratings)

‘Enormously readable…excellent’ Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times ‘A superb piece of thorough journalism’ David Aaronovitch, The Times Nigel Farage is arguably one of the most influential British politicians of the 21st century. His campaign to take the UK out of the EU began as a minority and extreme point of view, but in June 2016 it became the official policy of the nation after a divisive referendum. In Michael Crick’s brilliant new biography, One Party After Another , we find out how he did it, despite never once managing to get elected to Parliament. Farage left public school at the age of 16 to go and work in the City, but in the 1990s he was drawn into politics, joining UKIP . Ironically, it was the electoral system for the European Parliament that gave him access to a platform, and he was elected an MEP in 1999. His everyman persona, combined with a natural ability as a maverick and outspoken performer on TV, ensured that he garnered plenty of media attention. His message resonated in ways that rattled the major parties – especially the Conservatives – and suddenly the UK’s membership of the EU was up for debate. Controversy was never far away, with accusations of racism against the party and various scandals. But, having helped secure the referendum, Farage was largely sidelined by the successful official Brexit campaign . When Parliament struggled to find a way to leave, Farage created the Brexit Party to ensure Britain did eventually leave the EU early in 2020. Crick’s compelling new study takes the reader into the heart of Farage’s story, assessing his methods, uncovering remarkable hidden details and builds to an unmissable portrait of one of the most controversial characters in modern British politics .

Goodbye, Darkness

Goodbye, Darkness

  • By: William Manchester
  • Narrator: Barrett Whitener
  • Length: 15 hours 2 minutes
  • 4.19 (5241 ratings)

The nightmares began for William Manchester twenty-three years after World War II. In his dreams he lived with the recurring image of himself as a battle-weary youth “angrily demanding to know what had happened to the three decades since he had laid down his arms.” To find out, Manchester visited those places in the Pacific where as a young Marine he fought the Japanese.

In this intensely powerful memoir, America’s preeminent biographer-historian, who has written so brilliantly about World War II in his acclaimed lives of General Douglas MacArthur (American Caesar) and Winston Churchill (The Last Lion), looks back at his own early life. He offers an unrivaled firsthand account of World War II in the Pacific: of what it looked like, sounded like, smelled like, and most of all, what it felt like to one who underwent all but the ultimate of its experiences.

Battleground Iraq

Battleground Iraq

  • By: Todd S. Brown
  • Narrator: Donald Corren
  • Length: 11 hours 12 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2011
  • 4.19 (21 ratings)

This gripping journal of a company commander from 2003 to early 2004, written in some of the most dangerous areas of post-Hussein Iraq, discusses tactics, techniques, and procedures as they evolved in the struggle to maintain order and rebuild the country. The journal tells of the dichotomy of combat operations versus nation building. It vividly captures the stresses of combat and corresponding emotions as they accumulate over time in a combat outfit. It reinforces the ideal of camaraderie among soldiers and deals with the emotional impact of losing friends in battle. Understanding these could prove invaluable to those who courageously serve our nation and will continue to endure them in this and future conflicts.

In the Hands of Providence

In the Hands of Providence

  • By: Alice Rains Trulock
  • Narrator: Grover Gardner
  • Length: 12 hours 56 minutes
  • Publish date: January 01, 2005
  • 4.17 (965 ratings)

Joshua Chamberlain of Maine forged an incredible career during the Civil War. An academic and theologian by training, this modest young professor left Bowdoin College to accept a commission as lieutenant colonel of the Twentieth Maine. He fought at Antietam and Fredericksburg, then led his regiment to glory at Gettysburg, where he ordered the brilliant charge that saved Little Round Top. Promoted to brigade command, Chamberlain won a battlefield promotion to brigadier general from Ulysses S. Grant for his distinguished conduct in the assaults against Petersburg. He was held in such high esteem by his superior officers that Grant accorded him the honor of receiving the formal Confederate surrender at Appomattox. There Chamberlain endeared himself to succeeding generations with his unforgettable salute to Robert E. Lee’s defeated army.

After the war, he went on to serve four terms as governor of his home state and later became president of Bowdoin College. He wrote prolifically about the war, including The Passing of the Armies, a classic account of the final campaign of the Army of the Potomac. This remarkable biography traces his life and times.

Beyond Survival

Beyond Survival

  • By: Gerald Coffee
  • Narrator: Gerald Coffee
  • Length: 2 hours 25 minutes
  • 4.17 (96 ratings)

When life loses its meaning, when suddenly the world is turned upside down, when there’s nothing left that resembles life as we’ve known it, where do we find the strength and sustenance to go on? For naval aviator Jerry Coffee and others who were held as prisoners of war in North Vietnam, there was only one choice: go within.

Beyond Survival is a journey into the invincible human spirit that unites heart and mind in a compelling and unforgettable experience. Drawing from his seven years as a POW, Captain Coffee provides timeless lessons that apply to the physical, emotional, and ethical challenges of everyday life. Proving that leadership and creativity are possible in difficult and uncertain circumstances, Captain Coffee offers a message we can draw on in any trying situation. His story demonstrates that conviction must come from within, and in telling that story, he touches the place inside us where growth begins. Beyond Survival is a positive statement about love and commitment in the midst of war and division. It contrasts the cold reality of war, degradation, and torture with the warmth of human connections, inner serenity, and kinship with all life. It poignantly illustrates that to be stripped of everything that is familiar and by which we identify ourselves leaves us with only what unites us–our human identity. It conveys truths about relationships at every level: with ourselves, with others, with our country, and with our God.

Without inflaming the wounds inflicted by America’s involvement in Vietnam, Beyond Survival explores an issue at the heart of every free society: the willingness of ordinary individuals to maintain a passion for freedom so compelling that adversity strengthens rather than weakens personal resolve in the worst of circumstances. Through Gerald Coffee’s story you will discover the universal principles of survival and triumph that empower anyone to overcome adversity.

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19 OF THE BEST MILITARY NON-FICTION BOOKS EVERYONE SHOULD READ

best military autobiography books

Introduction

19 military non-fiction books, 1. studs terkel. 2011. the good war . the new press., 2. e.b. sledge. 2007. with the old breed . presidio press., 3. mark bowden. 2010. black hawk down . grove press..

#4 on our list of Military Non-Fiction Books Everyone Should Read. Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. 2004. We Were Soldiers Once … And Young. Presidio Press.

4. Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. 2004. We Were Soldiers Once … And Young . Presidio Press.

5. micahel herr. 1991. dispatches . vintage., 6. stephen e. ambrose. 2017. band of brothers . simon & schuster..

#7 on our list of Military Non-Fiction Books Everyone Should Read. Barbara W. Tuchman. 2004. The Guns of August. Presidio Press.

7. Barbara W. Tuchman. 2004. The Guns of August . Presidio Press.

8. george wilson. 1987. if you survive . ballantine books., 9. joseph plumb martin. 2010. a narrative of a revolutionary soldier . signet., 10. adam makos and larry alexander. 2014. a higher call . dutton caliber..

11. Ulysses S. Grant. 2012. The Complete Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

11. Ulysses S. Grant. 2012. The Complete Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant . CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

12. john leppelman. 1991. blood on the risers . presidio press., 13. andrew j. bacevich. 2016. america's war for the greater middle east. random house., 14. ian w. toll. 2008. six frigates: the epic history of the founding of the u.s. navy . w.w. norton & company., 15. alex kershaw. 2013. the liberator . crown..

16. Jim Frederick. 2011. Black Hearts. Crown.

16. Jim Frederick. 2011. Black Hearts . Crown.

17. james mattis and bing west. 2021. call sign chaos: learning to lead . random house., 18. nathaniel c. fick. 2006. one bullet away . mariner books..

#19 on our list of Military Non-Fiction Books Everyone Should Read. Sun Tzu. 2019. The Art of War. Ixia Press.

19. Sun Tzu. 2019. The Art of War . Ixia Press.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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31 Best Military Books of All Time

Our goal : Find the best Military books according to the internet (not just one random person's opinion).

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

  • Best Military Books

The Guns of August

The Guns of August

The pulitzer prize-winning classic about the outbreak of world war i.

Barbara W. Tuchman

Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers

E company, 506th regiment, 101st airborne from normandy to hitler's eagle's nest.

Stephen E. Ambrose

Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down

A story of modern war.

Mark Bowden

The Art Of War

The Art Of War

One Bullet Away

One Bullet Away

The making of a marine officer.

Nathaniel C. Fick

With the Old Breed

With the Old Breed

At peleliu and okinawa.

E. B. Sledge

We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young

We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young

Ia drang—the battle that changed the war in vietnam.

Harold G. Moore

A Higher Call

A Higher Call

An incredible true story of combat and chivalry in the war-torn skies of world war ii.

Six Frigates

Six Frigates

The epic history of the founding of the u.s. navy.

Ian W. Toll

Flyboys

A True Story of Courage

James Bradley

Dispatches

Michael Herr

Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor

The eyewitness account of operation redwing and the lost heroes of seal team 10.

Marcus Luttrell

The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant

No Easy Day

No Easy Day

The firsthand account of the mission that killed osama bin laden.

On Killing

The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

Dave Grossman

Unbroken

A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Laura Hillenbrand

American Sniper

American Sniper

The autobiography of the most lethal sniper in u.s. military history.

Call Sign Chaos

Call Sign Chaos

Learning to lead.

1776

David McCullough

The Outpost

The Outpost

An untold story of american valor.

Jake Tapper

The Liberator

The Liberator

One world war ii soldier's 500-day odyssey from the beaches of sicily to the gates of dachau.

Alex Kershaw

If You Survive

If You Survive

From normandy to the battle of the bulge to the end of world war ii, one american officer's riveting true story.

George Wilson

Flags of Our Fathers

Flags of Our Fathers

Generation Kill

Generation Kill

Evan Wright

The Longest Day

The Longest Day

Cornelius Ryan

The Good Soldiers

The Good Soldiers

David Finkel

The Forever War

The Forever War

Dexter Filkins

A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier

A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier

Some adventures, dangers, and sufferings of joseph plumb martin.

Joseph Plumb Martin

America's War for the Greater Middle East

America's War for the Greater Middle East

A military history.

Andrew J. Bacevich

Blood on the Risers

Blood on the Risers

An airborne soldier's thirty-five months in vietnam.

John Leppelman

The Pentagon Wars

The Pentagon Wars

Reformers challenge the old guard.

James G. Burton

  • Storylifebooks20190523unbroken american sniper lone survivor top military books1122852001 www.usatoday.com
  • 100 Best Military History Books of All Time (Updated for 2021) www.shortform.com
  • 19 of the Best Military Non-Fiction Books Everyone Should Read mybaseguide.com
  • Best military non-fiction books of all-time - We Are The Mighty www.wearethemighty.com
  • Best military books pennbookcenter.com

What are some of the best military titles featuring fiction books?

For those looking for great military fiction, "The Hunt for Red October" by Tom Clancy is a popular choice that delves into the tension-filled world of submarine warfare. Historical fiction lovers might enjoy "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque, which provides a gripping portrayal of World War I from a German soldier's perspective. These best war novels blend nail-biting narratives with military strategy, offering both entertainment and a glimpse into the complexities of war. Among these are best books that have been acclaimed and saved a spot in military fiction enthusiasts' libraries due to their compelling content.

Can you recommend any compelling book that explores the history behind a prominent military leader?

Certainly, one good military biography is "American Ulysses" by Ronald C. White, which profiles the life of the famed Civil War army general and president, Ulysses S. Grant. This book delves deeply into not just Grant's role in the army but also his lesser-known efforts towards civil rights. It is one of the best books that have saved us the richness of military history through their detailed research.

Does Most Recommended Books offer discounts on any best books about military strategy?

At Most Recommended Books, we are unable to directly offer discounts. However, we make sure to show you where you can purchase these books at competitive rates online. You might frequently find that books like "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu are available at a discount from their cover price on Amazon, offering not just savings but also timeless insights into military strategy that have been applied to countless sectors outside the force of the military.

What is the fiction title that adeptly incorporates military science and future war?

"Ghost Fleet" by P.W. Singer and August Cole is an excellent example of a novel that intertwines military science with a gripping narrative set in a potential future war scenario. It's appreciated by enthusiasts for its plausible depiction of modern warfare and the technologies that might define combat in the future.

How often does Most Recommended Books update its list of new war non-fiction releases?

We are always on the lookout for new and popular releases in war non-fiction and other categories. Our team frequently updates our book lists to ensure we provide you with the most current and greatest information. Make sure to check our site regularly for the latest news on this year's upcoming book releases!

Are there any best war novels written by veterans of the Air Force or Marine Corps?

Yes, among the best war novels are those penned by veterans who have served in branches like the Air Force and the Marine Corps. For example, "With the Old Breed" by E.B. Sledge is an intense firsthand account of a Marine Corps soldier's experiences during World War II and is often highly recommended by historians for its authenticity and heartfelt narrative.

Can I find books about the benefits of military service for home and family-focused readers?

While our primary focus is to curate lists that contain titles directly pertaining to military experiences, such as detailing the life of a military leader or the components of military science, some of the books we feature do indeed touch on aspects like the benefits of service for the individual's house and family life. For instance, books like "Service: A Navy SEAL at War" by Marcus Luttrell can provide insight into personal growth and family dynamics through the lens of military life.

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A Biography of a Feminist Porn Pioneer Bares All

In “Candida Royalle and the Sexual Revolution,” the historian Jane Kamensky presents a raw personal — and cultural — history.

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By Rich Juzwiak

Rich Juzwiak co-writes Slate’s love and sex advice column “How to Do It.”

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CANDIDA ROYALLE AND THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION: A History From Below , by Jane Kamensky

The idea on which Candida Royalle’s legend rests was as simple as it was brilliant. In 1984, the porn performer and eventual director-producer co-founded Femme Productions with a single goal: to explore women’s fantasies. The hope of Royalle and partner Lauren Niemi was to change porn “from within,” as Royalle explained on a TV show, via “egalitarian” images portraying “regular, joyful lovemaking.”

Emphasizing foreplay and “afterglow,” and avoiding porn’s penchant for proof of male climax, Femme courted a female audience (a widely ignored demographic at the time), featuring material that was somewhere between R- and X-rated. In “Candida Royalle and the Sexual Revolution,” Jane Kamensky, a history professor at Harvard, fleshes out the story.

Royalle was born Candice Vadala in 1950, and she came of age during the sexual revolution. She joined the Women’s Liberation Collective of the Bronx Coalition at age 19, and by 1975 (three years after “Deep Throat” had made adult films chic) she was filming porn loops in San Francisco. It was “quick $ so that I can go after what I want,” per one of her diary entries.

She would eventually appear in more than 40 adult films and describe herself as a “porn queen.” In front of the camera and then behind it, her work coincided with the attacks on the industry from both the right wing and radical feminists like Andrea Dworkin and Catharine MacKinnon. But there was soldarity, too: Royalle and her peers, including the performer Annie Sprinkle and the High Society publisher Gloria Leonard, formed the de facto support group (and eventual performance art collective) Club 90.

In Kamensky’s estimation, Royalle’s was “a profoundly, uniquely 20th-century American life, a life like no other, and also like every other.” Her finger wasn’t merely on the cultural pulse; her body throbbed in sync with the times.

As the title implies, the book interweaves intimate biography and cultural history. Royalle’s life story is culled from interviews and a careful excavation of her papers, housed at Harvard Radcliffe Institute; Kamensky reports that she’s the first person to access the archive.

From the age of 12, Royalle kept a diary, and her self-reporting is at least as intimate as anything she put into the world publicly. There are bouts of gonorrhea, a hepatitis C diagnosis, multiple abortions, prolific drug use (including a debilitating heroin habit), a suicide note. Royalle writes about her father’s abuse of her sister — and her own ensuing despondency. “Why not me?” she wondered.

Kamensky’s ambitious project — in which she moves between this raw portraiture and more formal cultural reporting — is a challenging one; she is at pains to avoid ascribing pat reasons for Royalle’s choices, while still providing ample context. At times the shifting focus can be disorienting. Royalle’s first-grade class picture becomes the jumping-off point for a chapter that touches on the Cold War, Elvis Presley’s momentous appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and the greater culture’s wary regard of teenage girls.

Kamensky’s biography has so many stops and starts that at moments reading it amounts to journeying through a life during rush hour. And though the language remains playful and clear even when saturated with information, the resulting density can nonetheless turn the experience into homework.

But that is likely the author’s point: Her rigor and thoroughness demand that the reader take seriously an underdog who made her name in a stigmatized industry. This book is a labor of empathy that refuses to simplify or valorize its subject. Included are examples of Royalle’s immature homophobic and antisemitic comments, vainglorious declarations (“I am an innovator. I have changed the world!”), a lot of hand-wringing over ever getting involved in porn in the first place and a nearly lifelong fixation on men’s attention.

Though Femme did command a fair amount of (mostly adult) press, and Royalle became a TV and lecture-circuit fixture for her ability to articulate alternate methods within the world of pornographic film, her movie revenue was far from blockbuster, and by her mid-40s she was, in her own words, “a single woman alone who owns no property, no investments, nothing of any real value.” She died of ovarian cancer at 64.

But Kamensky asserts Royalle’s importance. Her revolution never fully revolutionized porn — which in many ways has become more intense and less sensitive — but she left in her wake the opportunity for women to be taken seriously behind the camera; six out of 10 nominees of this year’s AVN Award — porn’s Oscars — for “Outstanding Directing” are women. And Royalle’s outspokenness helped normalize the concept of feminist porn.

In a 1981 pitch to several magazines and newspapers, Royalle wrote that women in the industry had “long been misunderstood” and “put down,” adding, “I would like to help change that.” Kamensky not only lays bare her subject’s M.O., she aids in its realization. What’s more, “Candida Royalle and the Sexual Revolution” is a fulfillment of one of Royalle’s unmet goals: to tell her life story in a book.

CANDIDA ROYALLE AND THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION : A History From Below | By Jane Kamensky | Norton | 512 pp. | $35

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

A few years ago, Harvard acquired the archive of Candida Royalle, a porn star turned pioneering director. Now, the collection has inspired a new book  challenging the conventional history of the sexual revolution.

Gabriel García Márquez wanted his final novel to be destroyed. Its publication this month  may stir questions about posthumous releases.

Tessa Hulls’s “Feeding Ghosts” chronicles how China’s history shaped her family. But first, she had to tackle some basics: Learn history. Learn Chinese. Learn how to draw comics.

James Baldwin wrote with the kind of clarity that was as comforting as it was chastising. His writing — pointed, critical, angry — is imbued with love. Here’s where to start with his works .

Do you want to be a better reader?   Here’s some helpful advice to show you how to get the most out of your literary endeavor .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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