Three Great Military History Novels
There are many great military history novels to recommend. This list provides three. I believe these are must-read history novels for students of military history. These are the types of novels that people re-read many times. What makes these three unique? I will explain below.
1. Gates of Fire
Steven Pressfield has written many great books. Gates of Fire was published in 1998, and is arguably one of his best. Set around the Greco-Persian Wars that took place in 480 BC, Gates of Fire tells the epic story of the Battle of Thermopylae. During the battle, 300 Spartan warriors fought valiantly against a much larger Persian army. Under the leadership of King Leonidas I, the brave Spartans made their last stand against the Persian forces commanded by King Xerxes I. Gates of Fire illustrates the events leading up to the battle. This includes the brutal training and harsh discipline of the Spartan warriors.
The novel primarily follows a captured Greek soldier named Xeones. Xeones recounts his experience in the Battle of Thermopylae. Through Xeones’s narrative, the reader learns about the sense of duty, honor, and sacrifice that was prevalent in Spartan society. The novel also explores the “human factors” of soldiers including fear and uncertainty.
The novel is well-researched and contains a lot of rich historical detail. As a result, Pressfield is able to thrust the reader into Spartan society. He creates strong emotional connections with the characters. This is one of the reasons that readers continue to come back to the novel.
Gates of Fire has always been a favorite among Marines. The book’s themes resonate with the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment. The novel portrays heroism and esprit de corps in the face of overwhelming odds. As a result, readers are hooked from start to finish.
2. The Killer Angels
The Killer Angels is an outstanding military history novel by Michael Shaara. The novel was published in 1974. The book’s action centers on the Battle of Gettysburg from July 1 to July 3, 1863. The novel provides a detailed and vivid account of the battle. It brings to life the experiences and perspectives of several key military leaders from both the Confederate and Union armies.
The central characters include General Robert E. Lee, General James Longstreet, and Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Through the perspectives of these characters and others, Shaara explores the complexities of leadership and decision-making. Each commander is faced with moral dilemmas and life or death decisions. The Killer Angels is also well-researched and able to make the reader imagine the battlefield’s sights and sounds.
The novel is an ambitious work for tackling one of the most critical battles in American history. But, Shaara was able to accomplish an amazing feat. Moreover, Shaara’s work brought renewed attention and focus to the Battle of Gettysburg. Visitation to Gettysburg National Military Park skyrocketed. The novel also inspired the movie Gettysburg.
Finally, The Killer Angels is also a prequel to the novel, Gods and Generals. Jeff Shaara, who is Michael Shaara’s son, wrote Gods and Generals. The prequel is based on the events leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg. Thus, it offers insight and further exploration of the characters and key leaders in The Killer Angels.
Overall, The Killer Angels is an excellent leadership study. It is a fantastic account of one of the most significant battles in American history.
3. All Quiet on the Western Front
Erich Maria Remarque’s classic military history novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, was published in 1929. It has become known as an anti-war novel because of its graphic portrayal of trench warfare during World War I. The novel focuses on the experiences of German soldiers fighting on the Western Front. A movie adaptation of the novel appeared on Netflix in 2022. The movie also contains visceral scenes of war’s brutality.
In the novel Paul Bäumer is a young soldier, who enlists in the German army along with his classmates. Driven by patriotic fervor, the young men enthusiastically head to war. But, as the war continues, the brutal realities of armed conflict and the futility of trench warfare wear away at the psyche of Paul and his comrades.
Remarque’s novel portrays the psychological toll of war. The “human factors” of life in the trenches seem hard to imagine in the 21st Century. But, the novel puts us there in vivid detail. Throughout the novel, we follow the characters arc from idealism to despair and loss of innocence. But, we also witness camaraderie among the soldiers. The novel shows young men working together to survive in the face of adversity. In doing so, the book shows how war and hardship can unify the participants.
All Quiet on the Western Front is considered a classic today. However, when it was published, its anti-war position aroused some controversy. Nevertheless, the novel has attained a global appeal and has been translated into many languages. Overall, the book offers a profound critique of war’s impact on individuals and society. It is a powerful reminder of war’s costs. Furthermore, the battlefield is not the only place that contains the costs. They resonate across all areas of society. Moreover, the participants will always carry their experiences with them.
Get the Books!
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
For more awesome military history, check out the latest American Guerillas podcast series starting with Part One: War in the Carolinas and then Part Two: The Sword of the Lord and Gideon.