Task #14: Read a book about war

[Chasity]

Amanda wrote: "Re-asking if News of the World would count. The aftermath of the Civil War is the backdrop, and there's a lot of discussion about the war, and the main character's experiences in the war. But techn..."

I think it would count. I think it counts if you want it to count. If it talks a lot about the war and experience during the war and also is kind of the aftermath . . . that's all a part of war, not just what happens on the battle field. That's just my opinion but I think you should feel free to count it.

[Kara]

Just finished Outlaw Platoon about the war in Afghanistan, I would recommend it if you're looking for a book to read for this challenge.

[Bridgid]

I would recommend Girl at War: A Novel by Sara Novic: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I was surprised by how much this book crept into my head. I was also surprised at how little I know about the Croatian War of Independence. This book sparked my interest to learn more about something I know nothing about, and that is always a good thing.

[jenn]

The Nightingale was an excellent read & fits this category. (Apologies if this is repetitive).

[Karen]

I read The Things They Carried last year. It's as much a book about writing as it is a book about war. I highly recommend it.

[Bonnie G.]

Karen wrote: "I read The Things They Carried last year. It's as much a book about writing as it is a book about war. I highly recommend it."

One of my top 10 books of my life. I have read it half a dozen times, and it always brings me new insight. Going After Cacciato is also spectacular.

[Julia]

I just read These Heroic, Happy Dead: Stories by Luke Mogelson. It's short stories about soldiers, veterans, people who work for NGOs in Afghanistan, Iraq and afterwards at home. It's worth reading.

[Kristin]

I recently read Code Name Verity & I agree with everyone else: this is definitely a book about war.

[Ptaylor]

I read One of Ours by Willa Cather for book club. I enjoyed reading more about her than I did the novel. She won the 1923 Pulitzer Prize for it. The character of Claude is killed in battle before he becomes disillusioned with war and its aftermath.

[Sunshine]

anyone else is interested in science fiction I read old man's War for this task and it was fantastic

[Teresa]

Carrie, imo yes it counts. What I read about the book says it goes into the soldiers forced drug use and how that affected the battle tactics the nazi's could use.

[Chinook]

I think that's an interesting choice, though having not read it myself I've got no idea how prevalent the war aspect is.

[Sarah]

I decided to read American War for this task. I'm not usually into futuristic stuff, but I read a couple of reviews that intrigued me...so far, so good.

[Bonnie G.]

I have so many books about war in one way or another. I just read Slaughterhouse-Five for the "frequently challenged or banned" prompt, and it was a 4th read so I could have used it for reread, and probably for fantasy too, but it would definitely work here. For this prompt I decided on Fobbit which I am starting today.

[Teresa]

Bonnie, me too. I didn't plan it but I've read a bunch of books already this year about war. If anyone's curious, the ones I remember are Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution, The War that Saved My Life, Women Heroes of World War II: 26 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue, A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century, A Climate of Fear.

[Elizabeth]

I've been meaning to read it for a long time, but I finally got around to reading Night by Elie Wiesel. Absolutely devastating. Necessary reading for all.

[Jenny]

I read 'The Face of War' by Martha Gellhorn, it's a collection of various articles she wrote as a War Correspondent

[Chinook]

How was it? That's on my TBR.

[Rebecca]

I read A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II for this prompt and really enjoyed it. I think the subtitle is slightly misleading, since the chivalry part is rather short, and the book instead mostly focuses on the life and service of the German pilot. Even though I majored in German in college, I've never discussed what WWII military service was like for non-Nazis. It was an excellent portrait and renewed my faith in humanity a little bit. I think if you're looking for a unique WWII perspective, this would be a great pick.

[Bonnie G.]

Bonnie wrote: "I have so many books about war in one way or another. I just read Slaughterhouse-Five for the "frequently challenged or banned" prompt, and it was a 4th read so I could have used it for..."

For anyone considering reading Fobbit, I really don't have many good things to say about it. Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[[deleted user]]

I just finished reading The Rape of Nanking.

[Bonnie G.]

Daung wrote: "I just finished reading The Rape of Nanking."

I thought that book was amazing though painful. I am fairly well versed on 20th century Chinese history, but this book really deepened that knowledge.

[[deleted user]]

Bonnie wrote: "Daung wrote: "I just finished reading The Rape of Nanking."

I thought that book was amazing though painful. I am fairly well versed on 20th century Chinese history, but this book real..."

Yeah, I know a little about the Nanking massacre before I read the book, but actually reading the book gave me an entirely new experience. At some parts, it was simply difficult to continue reading. It really make me appreciate about everything - about history, war, and people in general.

[Lucy]

Just finished Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain. The author's account of living as a young woman during the first world war.

[Priya]

Does My Lady Jane qualify?

[Jessica]

Priya wrote: "Does My Lady Jane qualify?"

I'd say no. Its much more of an adventure/romance novel imo. Very little mention of war. Some magical elements too.

[Viv]

I read Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse which is fiction about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. It's a very harrowing read (as you'd expect).

[[deleted user]]

If you're still looking for a suggestion, I really enjoyed Resistance: A French Woman's Journal of the War by Agnès Humbert. It's a journal/memoir and well wort a read.

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Cristy]

Well, 1776 might have been a bit of a literal choice but it was a closeup look of year-long slice of the Revolutionary War. Kind of amazing that the infant United States was able to do anything, much less win said war. Dry, straightforward, and brilliant, it was a history book through and through.

Second choice of Lilac Girls was a much more emotional look at the toll of war. A punch to the gut, it wasn't an enjoyable read, really, but was a stark reminder of the cruelty endured.

[Jolynne]

[Tammy]

I just read (not for the challenge) a book called The Hearts of Horses that I recommend for this task. It is set during WWI around the time when the U.S. joins the war, and is about a female horse whisperer on the home front. There is always the backdrop of the war, but I would say that it's not the main theme of the book. However, I think it would definitely still count!

On another note, does anyone know of any good historical fiction books about the Vietnam War? I'm interested because my father was in it, but I can't recall ever coming across any such books. Thanks!

[Monica]

Tammy wrote: "On another note, does anyone know of any good historical fiction books about the Vietnam War?"

I haven't read this yet but Matterhorn has had good reviews. It's on my tbr

[Tammy]

Monica wrote: "Tammy wrote: "On another note, does anyone know of any good historical fiction books about the Vietnam War?"

I haven't read this yet but Matterhorn has had good reviews. It's on my tbr"

Thank you, Monica. It looks good, and the description mentions racial tension, which is something I'm interested to learn more about. My understanding is it was at least partly due to groups of people (who were previously pretty segregated) being thrown together and also the war coinciding with the Black Power movement. My father never talked to me about his experience, but my mother mentioned that he may have experienced some of this tension.

[Bonnie G.]

Matterhorn is amazing. I would also recommend two of my favorite books, both by Tim O'Brien Going After Cacciato and The Things They Carried. And Johnny Got His Gun is also a great book.

[Tammy]

Thanks for all of these, Bonnie!

[Bonnie G.]

Tammy wrote: "Thanks for all of these, Bonnie!"

So many wonderful books are about the human side of war and/or its aftereffects. I am no fan of reading about the weaponry or the intricacies of battle, but love and war are the things that really change people (sometimes in heartbreaking ways, sometimes in life-affirming ways.) Hope you enjoy whatever book you choose.

[Yrinsyde]

I'm running out of time to complete this challenge so I am doing some double-dipping. I read Francoise Frenkel's account of being an immigrant then refugee in France during the Nazi occupation. Just heartrending but very readable. I recommend it!

[Wellington]

I read Blood Of The Dawn by Claudia Salazar Jimenez. It was about the Shining Path insurgency in Peru. It is told through the eyes of 3 women: an insurgent, a campesino, and a reporter. The writing is spare, but super evocative. It was hard to read at first as it is disjointed and jumps between characters, but it all tied together at the end. It shows the power and resiliency of women.

[Bonnie G.]

I completed my challenge, but for those who still need a book for this category I am reading Regeneration and it would be perfect for this one. Also, I am only about 50 pates in but it is just great.

[Shelldon (Aspiring Ninja)]

Just finished Code Name Verity. Man, I'm a mess. It was amazing.