There are not many events that impact society and hummanity in the same way that war does. Throughout the years, authors have taken inspiration from these traumatic times in order to write books that depict the experiences of those who went through it. So, it is no surprise there are so many amazing war novels out there to choose from.
These are the 10 best war books of all time according to Pan Macmillan.
10. The Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett
Ken Follett’s novel follows a ruthless Nazi spy, Alex Wolff, as he arrives in Cairo in 1942 with a plan to gain intelligence to the allies’ detriment. Major William Vandam must hunt down the spy and stop Britain from losing valuable ground and protect the fate of North Africa.
9. Under a Wartime Sky by Liz Trenow
Under a Wartime Sky tells the true stories of the war heroes of England’s Bawdsey Manor as they work on confidential inventions that will aid Britain and the Allies and help them to win the war. Its themes of hope, courage depict the stories of the ordinary people that did their bit for the war effort.
8. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
This novel focuses on the war from a womens lense. When their city goes up in flames and is taken over by Greeks, the women realise their fates are in the hands of men they are unfamiliar with. This story breathes fresh air into a classic story.
7. Hinterland by Arno Geiger
This bestseller focuses on the impact of war on everyday people. Hinterland follows the story of Veit Kolbe, a young German soldier recovering from his war wounds. As he slips into a false sense of security and falls in love he is met with the harsh realities of war.
6. The God of that Summer by Ralf Rothmann
Ralf Rothmann’s The God of that Summer follows young girl Luisa, as she grows up in rural Germany during the Second World War. As she tries to avoid the conflict in the countryside an incident occurs that will change everything forever.
5. The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe
Another story based on true events, The Librarian of Auschwitz is an illustrated novel about 14-year-old Dita, the custodian of the world’s smallest and most powerful library. She is put indanger when she’s tasked with being responsible for the entire library.
4. The Women by Kristin Hannah
Frankie McGrath is a nursing student in 1965 California. Her world is turned upside down when she’s told “women can be heroes, too” and decides to join the Army Nurses Corps to follow her brother to Vietnam.
3. Yours Cheerfully by AJ Pearce
This is a charming book that tells the story of a journalist on Fleet Street during the Second World War. Emmeline Lake is on the brink of a promotion at Women’s Friend when the Ministry of Information asks her to help recruit more female workers to support the war effort and she faces a dilemma.
2. Now I Am Here by Chidi Ebere
This book focuses on how war can make good people do bad things and is a reflection of war as a concept while telling it through one individual’s story. Chidi Ebere’s debut is brave, unflinching and thought-provoking.
1. The World and All That It Holds by Aleksandar Hemon
The World and All That It Holds tells the story of Rafael Pinto. His life hasn’t turned out as he expected and war devours all that he has known. Pinto falls for fellow soldier, Osman and together they escape the trenches and find themselves entangled with spies.