Books About Veterans Everyone Should Read

Veterans Day, a time to honor those who have served the country in the military. There are numerous books written about their experiences. Honor those who have given their lives in defense of the country. We’ve collected compelling nonfiction books about military service that have significantly impacted our culture. These books are great for anyone interested in learning more about the members of the armed forces. Some of these are newer works, while others are classics.

1.“Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption,” by Laura Hillenbrand.

The story of Louis Zamperini is told in the book, which follows his experience during the Second World War. He was shot down in the Pacific and spent time on a raft before the Japanese captured him.

2.“American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History,” by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. 

Memoir by Chris Kyle, a U.S. Navy SEAL, entered the list in 2012. A year later, he was killed by a Marine who had been diagnosed with PTSD. In 2014, the film “American Sniper” was released.

3.“Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10,” by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson. 

In his memoir, Marcus Luttrell talks about his experiences during Operation Red Wings, which took place in Afghanistan in 2005. He was the sole survivor of the operation. The book reached number 2 in 2014 after the release of a film based on it.

4.“The Longest Day,” by Cornelius Ryan. 

The book tells the story of the invasion of Normandy, which happened in 1944 and was released in 1959. It was made into a movie in 1962, starring John Wayne. It made its way back into the list in 1994.

5.“No Easy Day: The Autobiography of a Navy SEAL: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden,” by Mark Owen with Kevin Maurer. 

Owen talks about the mission that led to the death of Bin Laden. He also provides readers with an inside look at the various operations he and his team participated in. The book was number 1 on the USA Today Best-selling list in 2012.

6.“The Guns of August: The Outbreak of World War I,” by Barbara W. Tuchman.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “The Longest Days,” provides a comprehensive look at the political decisions that led to the end of World War I. It also covers the various battles that shaped the war’s course. Like “Longest Day,” released in 1962, Tuchman’s work was released before the Best-selling list of USA Today was established. However, an anniversary helped it make its way to the list.

7.“Flags of Our Fathers,” by James Bradley with Ron Powers.

Released in 2000, tells the story of the famous photo and the inspiration behind Arlington’s U.S. Marines War Memorial. It also describes the stories of those who raised the flag at Iwo Jima, which inspired Clint Eastwood’s 2006 film.