Wartime refers to periods of active military conflict, where nations, societies, and individuals face extreme challenges. These moments reshape political landscapes, disrupt everyday life, and leave lasting emotional and historical footprints.
During such periods, themes like survival, loss, patriotism, resistance, and moral ambiguity come to the forefront. From the trenches of World War I to the global scale of World War II and beyond, wartime experiences span continents and cultures.
Best Wartime Books
Literature has long been a powerful medium for capturing the realities of war. The best wartime books dive deep into human psychology, strategic decision-making, and the ethical dilemmas faced by both soldiers and civilians.
These books often explore key wartime entities such as military regimes, resistance movements, concentration camps, intelligence operations, and post-war reconstruction. By focusing on these themes, readers gain a multi-dimensional understanding of war’s impact across different timelines and geopolitical zones.
Wartime: Understanding and Behavior in the Second World War
- Fussell, Paul (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 10/25/1990 (Publication Date) - Oxford University Press (Publisher)
Wartime Athletes: Stories of Sports Stars Who Joined the U.S. Team
- Brown, Bill (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 345 Pages - 05/09/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Wartime: Britain 1939-1945. Juliet Gardiner
- Juliet Gardiner (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 800 Pages - 06/16/2025 (Publication Date) - REVIEW (HEADLINE) (Publisher)
Neptune’s Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal
- Hornfischer, James D. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 544 Pages - 03/06/2012 (Publication Date) - Bantam (Publisher)
Shot Down: The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth
- Snyder, Steve (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 378 Pages - 02/08/2017 (Publication Date) - Sea Breeze Publishing LLC (Publisher)
The Wartime Book Club
- Thompson, Kate (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 512 Pages - 04/09/2024 (Publication Date) - Forever (Publisher)
Fulton Sheen’s Wartime Prayer Book
- Fulton Sheen's Wartime Prayer Book
- Fulton J. Sheen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 182 Pages - 03/01/2003 (Publication Date) - Sophia Inst Pr (Publisher)
The Sailing of the Intrepid: The Incredible Wartime Voyage of the Navy’s Iconic Aircraft Carrier
- Hardcover Book
- Williams, Montel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 304 Pages - 05/20/2025 (Publication Date) - Hanover Square Press (Publisher)
Grandma’s Wartime Kitchen: World War II and the Way We Cooked
- Hayes, Joanne Lamb (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 258 Pages - 12/24/2019 (Publication Date) - Echo Point Books & Media (Publisher)
Boys of Wartime: Daniel at the Siege of Boston, 1776
- Calkhoven, Laurie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 03/17/2011 (Publication Date) - Puffin Books (Publisher)
The Wartime Chocolate Maker: A totally heart-wrenching and addictive World War 2 novel
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Nealon, Gosia (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 312 Pages - 03/21/2025 (Publication Date) - Bookouture (Publisher)
The Wartime Sisters: A Novel
- Loigman, Lynda Cohen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 336 Pages - 03/10/2020 (Publication Date) - St. Martin's Griffin (Publisher)
The Wartime Nurse: Utterly heartbreaking and absolutely gripping World War Two fiction inspired by a true story (The Dutch Girls Book 3)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Matthews, Imogen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 304 Pages - 10/04/2024 (Publication Date) - Bookouture (Publisher)
Grandma’s Wartime Baking Book: World War II and the Way We Baked
- Hayes, Joanne Lamb (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 210 Pages - 10/29/2019 (Publication Date) - Echo Point Books & Media (Publisher)
The Wartime Bookshop: The first in a heart-warming WWII saga series about community and friendship, from the bestselling author
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Eames, Lesley (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 428 Pages - 10/20/2022 (Publication Date) - Transworld Digital (Publisher)
U.S. M1 Carbines, Wartime Production, 8th Edition
- Craig Riesch (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 236 Pages - 04/16/2019 (Publication Date) - North Cape Publications, Inc. (Publisher)
The Little Wartime Library
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Thompson, Kate (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 424 Pages - 02/21/2023 (Publication Date) - Forever (Publisher)
Winter in Wartime (Nyrb Kids)
- Terlouw, Jan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 02/04/2020 (Publication Date) - NYRB Kids (Publisher)
Good Shepherd Creations Military Rosary Gift Set with Fulton Sheen’s Wartime Prayer Book and Tapestry Rosary Pouch (Antique Copper, Arctic Camo)
- Gift Set Includes: Stainless Steel Military Rosary, Fulton Sheen's "Wartime Prayer Book," and a Rosary Pouch. Rosary is Available in Chrome, Gunmetal, and Antique Copper.
- Rosary Pouch Features One of Many Beloved Catholic Devotions, Including the Divine Mercy and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pouch Measures 6" x 4", Large Enough to Comfortably Hold Both the Rosary and the Prayer Book
- Arctic Camo Rosary Pouch Makes a Great Gift for Men and Boys!
- Gift Set is Ideal for First Communion, Confirmation, Graduation, or Christmas!
- Military Rosary is Tough and Rugged, Absolutely Will Not Break Under Normal Use
My Dearest Julia: The Wartime Letters of Ulysses S. Grant to His Wife (Library of America)
- Hardcover Book
- Grant, Ulysses S. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 183 Pages - 10/16/2018 (Publication Date) - Library of America (Publisher)
The best wartime books do more than recount battles—they reflect on the complexity of human behavior under extreme conditions. These narratives give voice to the silent trauma, the moral crossroads, and the resilience that defines wartime realities.
Whether exploring civilian life under occupation, the psychological toll on returning veterans, or the chaos of displaced populations, such books serve as historical mirrors and emotional archives.
They also contribute to cultural memory, helping societies process collective grief, honor sacrifices, and avoid repeating past mistakes. In an age where conflict still shapes headlines, these works remain timeless and relevant.
Engaging with wartime literature means stepping into stories of global significance. It’s not just about war—it’s about humanity, identity, and survival in the face of destruction.
