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

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

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

“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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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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You Won't Be Able to Put Down These Military Biographies and Memoirs

True stories by and about veterans.

For anyone interested in learning more about the military conflicts of the past, the stories of those who experienced them first-hand provide an invaluable insight into just what it was like to go into combat. The following biographies and memoirs bring to life in gripping detail the challenges faced by combatants who fought in some of the most harrowing military campaigns in human history. Told with humor and honesty, these accounts, above all, reveal the indomitable spirit of often seemingly ordinary men who showed extraordinary courage in the face of the horrific reality of war.

By Burke Davis

Burke Davis’ 1962 book about war hero Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller remains one of the all-time classic military biographies.

Puller served in the US Marine Corps from 1918 to 1955, rising from humble beginnings to the rank of Lieutenant General. Along the way, he became the most decorated Marine in US military history, winning no less than five Navy Crosses for valor. By the time of his retirement, Puller had acquired cult hero status in the eyes of his fellow Marines. However, his trademark blunt honesty did not always go down well with the powers-that-be in Washington, particularly during the 1950s when his harsh, but fair, assessment of US progress in the Korean War hit the headlines. Davis’ comprehensive biography covers all these topics, plus much more besides, bringing the true story of Puller’s extraordinary military career compellingly to life. 

Twelve Days on the Somme

By Sidney Rogerson

As its title suggests, this evocative memoir by a young World War I British Army officer vividly conveys the grim reality of life in the trenches during the Battle of the Somme. For a 12-day period in 1916, Sidney Rogerson saw front-line action with the 2 nd Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment at one of the bloodiest battles in human history. Rogerson’s compelling eyewitness account gives an invaluable rare insight into how he and his men dealt with such a harrowing ordeal through camaraderie, resilience and an unshaken belief that they were fighting for a just cause.

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They Have Their Exits

By Airey Neave

First published in 1955, this bestselling memoir provides a window into the extraordinary wartime experiences of British army officer, Airey Neave. Later a prominent politician, the knowledge that Neave’s life would eventually come to an end as the result of a 1979 terrorist attack in London makes this account all the more poignant.

After being captured by the Nazis in 1940, Neave made several escape bids before ending up in the infamous Colditz Castle . They Have Their Exits  recounts the story of Neave’s against-all-odds escape from the seemingly impregnable hilltop fortress and his perilous journey across Europe to become the first British POW incarcerated in Colditz to make it back home safely to England. As if that wasn’t interesting enough, Neave’s memoir concludes with many fascinating insights into the leading Nazi figures whom he later encountered as a result of his involvement in the Nuremberg War Criminals Trials. 

12 Military History Books Every History Buff Should Have on Their Bookshelf

Red Road from Stalingrad

By Mansur Abdulin

Mansur Abdulin’s Red Road from Stalingrad  tells the story of World War II from an entirely different perspective. As a Soviet infantryman, Abdulin fought in the Red Army at the Eastern Front and saw action against the Nazis from Stalingrad and Kursk to the Dnieper River.

Abdulin’s memoir was published over four decades after the war ended. The author reportedly decided to commit his wartime recollections to paper simply because no-one else had told the story from the perspective of the Red Army veterans. This rare firsthand account was well worth the wait and provides a fitting tribute to his comrades-in-arms on the Eastern Front, highlighting their courage, resourcefulness and capacity for acts of humanity even in the heat of battle.

Just Another Day in Vietnam

By Col. Keith M. Nightingale

This gripping military memoir dives deep into a little-known battle at Suoi Long Creek during the Vietnam War, in which its author saw action in his capacity as Special Advisor to an elite South Vietnamese Ranger unit. In June 1967, members of the unit, including Col. Nightingale, were tricked into an ambush by the 5 th Viet Cong Division and were compelled to fight for their lives whilst awaiting reinforcements. Narrated in the third person, Nightingale’s memoir tells the story from a variety of different perspectives including not only his own version of events, but also the combined stories of others who served on both sides of the battlefield that day. In so doing, he has produced an account that is “riveting, heart-pounding and mind-racing” ( ARMY Magazine ).

10 American Wars, One Book Each

Happy Odyssey

By Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart

First published in 1950, with a foreword by Winston Churchill, Happy Odyssey  ranks as one of the most colorful military autobiographies ever written. Serving in the British army for nearly five decades, Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart’s extraordinary exploits during three major early 20th-century conflicts were the stuff of legends and would not have looked out of place in a work of fiction. Indeed, he is widely reported to have been the inspiration for one of the main characters in Evelyn Waugh’s Sword of Honor   trilogy.

Carton de Wiart’s autobiography is written with all the honesty and humor that you would expect from such a colorful individual. During World War I alone, he lost an eye and a hand, but bounced back from adversity to lead his men into battle at the Somme, where, with his distinctive black eye patch, he cut a striking figure. He won a Victoria Cross for valor at the Somme, just one of numerous medals which the British Army hero received throughout his long career.

A Soldier’s Story: 20 War Books Told by Those Who Were There

Cold War Command

By Dan Conley, Richard Woodman

Captain Dan Conley’s distinguished career as a British naval submariner forms the backdrop to this absorbing military memoir, which provides a rare insight into the notoriously secretive world of the so-called “Silent Service”. Having started his naval career on traditional diesel-powered submarines, Conley rose through the ranks to become commander of a Royal Navy nuclear submarine at the height of the Cold War. He later became involved in strategic policy-making regarding the future of the Royal Navy submarine service in the post-Cold War era.

Together with his co-author, Richard Woodman, Conley   includes plenty of fascinating content about the different aspects of his long and varied career. As well as an intriguing insight into the day-to-day operations of a nuclear submarine and just what it takes to serve on such a vessel, Conley casts a critical eye over the broader strategic process.

By Saburo Sakai

First published in 1957, this riveting autobiography recalls the experiences of one of Japan’s leading World War II fighter pilots. The book takes its title from the legendary warrior caste of Japanese history, from whom the author’s family was descended. Taking inspiration from the Samurai warriors, Saburo Sakai himself proved to be a fearsome opponent. He was reportedly involved in over 200 dogfights during World War II and claimed in his autobiography to have shot down 64 Allied aircraft, suffering several serious injuries of his own along the way. Co-written by Martin Caidin and Fred Saito, Samurai! provides a unique insight into the mindset of this renowned Japanese flying ace as well as offering a different perspective on the war in the Pacific. 

Yasuke, the African Samurai

Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

By Ulysses S. Grant

Described by his contemporary Mark Twain as “a great, unique and unapproachable literary masterpiece”, President Ulysses S. Grant’s eloquent account of his distinguished military career still has much to offer readers today. Having graduated from West Point in 1843, Grant served with distinction in the Mexican-American War, before rising to prominence as the man who led the Union Army to victory in the Civil War. This personal memoir gives the modern reader an invaluable insight into the strategic mind of one of the 19th century’s greatest generals, and is packed full with fascinating observations about those he fought with and against during one of the most tumultuous periods in US history.

Chickenhawk

By Robert Mason

Chickenhawk  tells the story of the Vietnam War through the eyes of helicopter pilot Robert Mason. During his stint of duty in Vietnam in the mid-1960s, Mason flew more than 1,000 helicopter missions transporting troops, equipment and supplies to and from the combat zones, often in the most perilous of conditions. This dramatic and painfully honest eyewitness account of his experiences was published nearly two decades later, and its epilogue reveals that following his return to civilian life in the USA, Mason served time in prison as a convicted drug smuggler, an incident he subsequently attributed to PTSD.

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Military History Books

The list of books revolves around military biographies and memoirs, covering a wide range of topics including World War II, Vietnam War, American Civil War, and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The books provide first-hand accounts of soldiers' experiences, leadership lessons from military commanders, and stories of survival, resilience, and redemption. The list also includes biographies of notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Joan of Arc, Winston Churchill, and Gertrude Bell.

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Military Biographies

Pen and Sword have a strong tradition for publishing biographies, particularly first hand accounts. Autobiographies have always been a cornerstone of our publishing list and we have a rich history of important original accounts of key battles in history. First hand accounts always tell a unique story. We always learn something new about a battle no matter what role the author played. The key part was that they were an eyewitness to events and uniquely qualified to enhance our study of history. We are immensely proud of this collection of Biographies which have taken many years to build up and now is broken down by conflict.

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"This book is a gem! It is one of the very few accounts to have been written by one of ‘the many’ without whom ‘The Few’ could not have succeeded. The author joined up in late 1941 and was trained as an armourer, initially serving at a gunnery school. However, shortly before D-Day he joined a ‘Free French’ Spitfire squadron with which he served until the end of the war. The second half of this highly readable account is in effect a detailed history of the Free French Spitfire Wing during the last year of the war. That in itself is hugely welcome, but even more so is the description of the itinerant life of a 2nd Tactical Air Force fighter unit in the months after D-Day and the often-miserable conditions endured by the hardworking and ever faithful groundcrew. No less valuable is the earlier description of life for a working-class family in London during the inter-war years. A peach of a book that was unputdownable." Andrew Thomas - Author and Historian

As featured on [link=https://www.ww2today.com/p/24-03-10-while-berlin-burns?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2FWhile%2520Berlin%2520Burns&utm_medium=reader2] World War II Today [/link] WW2 Today

[b] 4 out of 5 [/b] I enjoyed this book and learned a lot from it. [b] Read the Full Review [link=https://www.arrse.co.uk/community/threads/sir-garnet-wolseley-soldier-of-empire-by-stephen-manning.316889/] Here [/link] [/b] Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

“[A] fast-moving, readable narrative history ... The book’s narrative readily shifts from personalities to politics, geopolitics, espionage, military clashes, culture, and diplomacy (including marriage diplomacy).” Asian Review of Books

A compelling read that seamlessly blends personal experiences with the broader canvas of war. Can't wait for Volume 2 to unfold the rest of Carey's remarkable journey. Reader review

Before Action

William Noel Hodgson never intended to be a soldier; he wanted to write. The Great War made his reputation as a poet but it also killed him. This groundbreaking biography traces his path through the pre-war world and explores why he set his own hopes and plans aside to join the army. His story is personal but it evokes the experience of a generation.… Read more...

The Last Great Cavalryman

Nearly 70 years have passed since October 1944 when Dick McCreery became the third and final Commander of the legendary Eighth Army in Italy – in succession to Monty and Oliver Leese. With his outstanding record as a fighting soldier and armoured tactician, it was no surprise to anyone that he was to be hugely successful. McCreery was commissioned… Read more...

Winged Scalpel

In this fast paced narrative, ex-SAS surgeon Richard Villar provides 'a very personal insight into the difficulties, dangers and occasional virtual impossibility of providing medical aid to disaster areas and war zones. He shares his remarkable experiences in the aftermath of three major earthquakes – Kashmir (2005), Java (2006) and Haiti (2010)… Read more...

The Sterling Redemption

The untold true story of James Edmiston who suffered an extraordinary miscarriage of justice in 1983 when senior officials blocked vital witnesses coming to his trial which led to a personal tragedy; a broken marriage, and the loss of a business. The Sterling Redemption explains how he was wrongly charged with alleged illegal exports to Iraq, and then… Read more...

A Talent for Adventure

Books on prison camps, daring escapes and life with the Resistance abound. Pat Spooner's story is different and more compelling in one important respect. It recounts the gripping and dramatic rescue of two senior British generals (one a VC) and an air vice marshal from occupied Italy by the author and his companion who had themselves both escaped from… Read more...

Dangerous Frontiers

Since the Second World War British soldiers have been continuously involved in small wars many of which, largely for political reasons, have received little or no publicity. Dangerous Frontiers is a gripping personal memoir of soldiering in two hot and hostile areas of the world. In Part 1 the author describes his life as a young officer in the Somaliland… Read more...

Once a Hussar

Once a Hussar is a vivid account of the wartime experiences of Ray Ellis, a gunner who in later life recorded in this well-written, candid and perceptive memoir the conflict he knew as a young man seventy years ago. As an impressionable teenager, fired with national pride, he was eager to join the army and fight for his country. He enlisted in the… Read more...

Commando to Captain-Generall

This is the story of Brigadier Peter Young (1915-1988), a highly decorated soldier who was one of the founding members of 3 Commando, rising during WWII from 2 Lt to Brigadier in the space of 6 years. His battle honours include Vaagso, Dieppe, Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Burma. A career soldier, he returned to his parent regiment, the Beds and Herts,… Read more...

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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).

• Type "best military books" into our search engine and study the top 5+ pages.
• Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
• Rank the results neatly for you here! 😊 (It was a lot of work. But hey! That's why we're here, right?)

(Updated 2024)

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

• Best Military Books

The Guns of August

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

Barbara W. Tuchman

Band of Brothers

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

Stephen E. Ambrose

Black Hawk Down

A story of modern war.

Mark Bowden

The Art Of War

One Bullet Away

The making of a marine officer.

Nathaniel C. Fick

With the Old Breed

At peleliu and okinawa.

E. B. Sledge

We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young

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

Harold G. Moore

A Higher Call

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

Six Frigates

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

Ian W. Toll

A True Story of Courage

James Bradley

Michael Herr

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

Ulysses S. Grant

No Easy Day

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

The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

Dave Grossman

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

Laura Hillenbrand

American Sniper

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

Call Sign Chaos

Learning to lead.

David McCullough

The Outpost

An untold story of american valor.

Jake Tapper

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

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

Generation Kill

Evan Wright

The Longest Day

Cornelius Ryan

The Good Soldiers

David Finkel

The Forever War

Dexter Filkins

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

A military history.

Andrew J. Bacevich

Blood on the Risers

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

John Leppelman

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

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