What are your favorite World War Two novels?

[Douglas W. Jacobson]

World War Two was possibly the largest human tragedy in history. Claiming more than fifty million lives around the globe it changed the course of world events forever. Against this backdrop are tens of thousands of personal stories of courage, survival, love and hate, and they have been the subject of hundreds of historical novels. Which are your favorites? I'll start off the discussion with listing mine, Herman Wouk's two classics, WINDS OF WAR and WAR AND REMEMBRANCE. In these epic tales, Woukchronicles the lives of an American family thrust into the conflict and scattered across the globe. They are sweeping in scope, rich in impeccably researched history and written with flair and emotion. They are the books that launched my own passion for World War Two history.

What are YOUR favorites?

Douglas W. Jacobson
Author, NIGHT OF FLAMES:A Novel of World War Two

[Sidney Allinson]

As you say, Doug, there are hundreds of novels set during the Second World War. Over time, I seem to have read a great many of them :-) So it is difficult for me to name the "best" in my opinion. But I can mention some favorites of mine; WWII novels that include historical accuracy, memorable characters, military interest, and writing quality.

Here - in no particular order of preference - are a few excellent WWII novels:

THE GALLERY, by John Horne Burns
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, Ernest Hemingway
FROM THE CITY, FROM THE PLOUGH, Alexander Baron
FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, James Jones
EMPIRE OF THE SUN, J.G. Ballard
THE CRUEL SEA, Nicholas Montserrat
BID THE SOLDIERS SHOOT, John Lodwick
RETREAT, HELL! William Kamp
CATCH 22, Joseph Heller
BOMBER, Len Deighton
THE NAKED AND THE DEAD, Norman Mailer

-- Sidney Allinson.

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Three historicals by SA
http://offto.net/0wtv05/

[Anne Whitfield]

I've read too many to name! :o)

I do enjoy reading UK regional sagas set in WWII. I have a list of some of the authors who write them on my website.
I also enjoy reading books set in WWI, too. Audrey Howard has a few books set in this period and I loved them.

I once read a book set in WWII about a women's concentration camp and thoroughly enjoyed it. Stupid me gave the book away and I haven't seen a copy of it since. I can't remember the name either, but it wasn't the one made into a movie with Glenn Close, though I did enjoy that one too.

[Laurel Lamperd]

Writers are still writing about World War Two in their fiction. I have just finished a novel, 'Journey from Walara' the second in my trilogy and not published yet, which is how the war affected one family and the changes it made. Two of my favourites are

This Above All - can't remember the author.
The Cruel Sea - Nicholas Montserrat

Laurel Lamperd

Laurel Lamperd
Wind from Danyari – a family saga
Available fromwww.wings-press.com
http://laurel6346.tripod.com

[Donald Michael Platt]

WWII was a current event for me ages 7 to 13. Off the top of my head, I enjoyed reading:

The Young Lions by Irwin Shaw
Battle Cry and Mila 18 by Leon Uris
The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk
Spark of Life by Erich Maria Remarque (Warning -- it is set in a concentration camp and may be difficult for some)
The Gallery by Burns

[Carole Gill]

I liked (read it many years ago as a teen) The Young Lions.
That got me interested in reading non-fiction books about the War. I liked The Last Battle, Cornelius Ryan
Have been meaning to read Is Paris Burning, because the last time I was in Paris I saw huge posters up about the last days of the occupations (2005 this was) and it was extremely moving!
I have to confess I too enjoyed Winds of War and War and Remembrance but I saw the films, will have to read the books I'm sure!
I was always particularly interested in the second world war because my Dad served in the Pacific.

[Sidney Allinson]

Carole:
As you are interested in WWII books set in the Pacific Theatre where your father served,
you would likely gain insights from reading THE NAKED AND THE DEAD, by Norman
Mailer, and FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, by James Jones. Both novels are genuine classics;
not only superbly well-written, they provide unblinking insights into how it was to be
American fighting-men in the Pacific during WWII, and likely could help you understand
your father's experiences.

[Abe F. March]

I have a particular favorite, and that is "Normandy 1944 - A Young Rifleman's War" by Dick Stodghill.
Where many books glorify war, this book doesn't.
Another book with a twist, is "A Myth in Action – The Heroic Life of Audie Murphy" by Ann Levingston Joiner.

Then there are more popular novels mentioned by others here. Lots of action and drama.