# Military History, War and Fantasy Books
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [March 17, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919 "2004-03-17T21:42:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/1 "2004-03-17T21:42:03Z")
Hi Guys,
One more book recomendation thread ! đ Iâm looking for some military stuff and some fanstasy books.
Military: Just read âEnemy at the Gatesâ and loved it⌠Amazon is sending me âBlackhawk Downâ too. Suggestions for a good read ? Not to US patriotic BS please. Tired of Tom Clancy flag waving.
Fantasy: Reading the Ice and Fire Trilogy and its the best I have ever read. Loved âthe Magicianâ⌠loved âTimelineâ⌠love all David Gemmel stuff.
Thanks for any suggestionsâŚ
---
### Author:  [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/2 "2004-03-17T22:24:32Z")
Ah! Another Gemmell fan. I congratulate you on your fine taste.
Let me suggest John Marcoâs Tyrants and Kings series. Itâs just amazing stuff. The books are: Jackal of Nar, The Grand Design, and Saints of the Sword. He has another series I havenât read.
You might like _Grunts!_\* by Mary Gentle. Orcs find a stash of Marine gear and take up the USMC lifestyle. Itâs funny as hell.
If you donât mind military fiction, try _Gates of Fire_ by Stephen Pressfield. Itâs about the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae holding off the Persians and he puts you right there on the ground with em. Brutal stuff.
If you donât mind military Sci-Fi, I LOVED the âMarchâŚâ series from David Weber and John Ringo, and I am not usually a sci-fi reader. They feel like a classic war movie, but with some cool futuristic gear. Those are: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars.
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### Author:  [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/3 "2004-03-17T23:13:47Z")
For some good military historical fiction, I highly recommend **The Flashman Series** by George MacDonald Fraser. A well researched overview of the British Empire (and world history) in the 19th Century⌠as told by a total scoundrel/cad/coward. Make sure you read the footnotes as you go along.
In a similar vein, **The Bandy Papers** by Donald Jack. Also a well researched (and often very funny) story of a naive Canadian boyâs experiences in the First World War and the Russian Revolution.
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### Author:  [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/4 "2004-03-17T23:16:18Z")
_The Assyrian_ and _The Blood Star_ by Nicholas Guild. The âautobiographyâ of an Assyrian prince. Some of the best historical novels Iâve ever read. A warning, though. The first book is available in paperback, but the second is not, and is extremely difficult to find. If thereâs anyone out there who has a copy of _The Blood Star_ that theyâre willing to part with, please e-mail me!
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### Author:  [@Buran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buran)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/5 "2004-03-17T23:28:48Z")
These are just books in the genre I enjoyed and highly recommend, some may be difficult to track down though, and several arenât exactly up to date but I like Cold War stuff personallyâŚ
Military:
âArc Lightâ by Eric L. Harry - _excellent_ best in its category in my opinion, World War Three where they donât hold back on the nukes.
âCauldonâ+âRed Phoenixâ or âVortexâ by Larry Bond - Clancy like but actually good.
âStorming Intrepidâ or âThunder of Erebusâ by Payne Harrison
âTotal War 2006â by Simon Pearson
âRed Armyâ by Ralph Peters
âAll Quiet on the Western Frontâ by Erich Maria Remarque if you fancy a classic
Anything by Craig Thomas is worth a read but I have a soft spot for âFirefoxâ very different than the movie, âSnow Falconâ and âWinter Hawkâ are also worth a try.
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### Author:  [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/6 "2004-03-17T23:30:37Z")
Ever read Tad Williams? Of all the legions of fantasy writers trying to ape Tolkien, heâs the one who comes closest to the source without descending into outright plagiarism. Check out _The Dragonbone Chair_. Good stuff.
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### Author:  [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/7 "2004-03-17T23:40:25Z")
I just read _Ghost Soldiers_ by Hampton Sides, which was fascinating. Itâs the story of some of the WWII US soldiers that were captured by Japan when the US surrendered the Phillippines. They ended up languishing in prison camps for years, largely forgotten by America. When the US returned to the Phillippines, the powers that be realized that theyâd better rescue these soldiers before the Japanese killed them, and launched a rescue mission that would make an amazing movie. Well worth reading, IMHO.
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### Author:  [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/8 "2004-03-17T23:41:30Z")
What, no mention of the Hornblower series, by C.S. Forrester?
Read those before you read anything else. Start with _Beat to Quarters_, then _Ship of the Line_, and then _Flying Colours_. Then try to not read the rest of the series. You will not be able to stop.
Regards,
Shodan
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### Author:  [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/9 "2004-03-17T23:42:17Z")
Robert Frezzaâs Suid Afrika books are a great look at military SF.
**A Small Colonial War**
**Fire in a Far Away Place**
**Cainâs Land**
Iâm also enjoying the Belisarius series by David Drake and Erick Flint.
**An Oblique Approach
In the Heart of Darkness
Shield of Destiny
Fortuneâs Stroke
The Tide of Victory**
Harry Turtledove also has any number of excellent books in this vein.
For different views on the social effects of military service it is fun to read Robert A. Heinleinâs **Starship Troopers** , followed by a couple of the more famous ârebuttalsâ: Harry Harrisonâs, **Bill, The Galactic Hero** , and Joe Haldemanâs **The Forever War**. All three are good books, but youâll be reminded of the blind men describing the elephant before youâre done. đ
As for military history, Xenophon is very readable.
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### Author:  [@kiwiboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiwiboy)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2004, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/10 "2004-03-17T23:43:29Z")
I second the Flashman suggestion, great fun there.
For military history try Anthony Beevors excellent books _Stalingrad_ and _Berlin_. There are a number of good books around on the Eastern Front, the BBCâs _War of the Century_ has some incredible interviews with survivors and is a good start.
Happy reading.
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### Author:  [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/11 "2004-03-18T00:42:00Z")
I third the Flashman suggestion. Outstanding, funny and informative. đ
But donât forget to read Fraserâs autobiography of his actual experiences in WW2 in Burma, _Quartered Safe Out Here_. One of the best, if not the best, autobiographical accounts of being at war.
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/12 "2004-03-18T01:30:12Z")
**The Price of Glory** by Alaistair Horne is a great military history book, focussing on the battle of Verdun.
I also loved Brian Farwellâs **The Great Anglo-Boer War**.
And, of course, for the Civil War, you should read Shelby Foote.
As far as war novels, **The Killer Angels** by Michael Shaara has rarely been topped.
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### Author:  [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/13 "2004-03-18T02:53:01Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#):
>
> Harry Turtledove also has any number of excellent books in this vein.
To be fair, Turtledove has any number of bad books in this vein, too. When heâs good, heâs great, but when heâs bad, heâs AWFUL.
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### Author:  [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/14 "2004-03-18T03:42:32Z")
WWII Military - _An Army at Dawn - The War in North Africa, 1942-1943_ by Pulitzer Prize winner Rick Atkinson.
This is volume one of The Liberation Trilogy and I am enjoying it very much.
MeanJoe
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### Author:  [@davos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davos)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/15 "2004-03-18T03:46:58Z")
I have to second the recommendation for Horneâs âThe Price of Gloryâ. One of the best books written about an individual battle ever. Also on the First World War, Barbara Tuchmanâs âGuns of Augustâ is a brilliant and insightful read.
John Eriksonâs two volume series on the Eastern front of War War II, âThe Road to Stalingradâ and âThe Road To Berlinâ, are very interesting. Written largly from the Soviet perspective they provide a take on those events not often found in Western writing. A bit dry and techincal at times but if you want to understand that conflict these are almost essential reading.
On the fantasy end I would suggest checking out George R. R. Martinâs âA Song of Ice and Fireâ series. Probably the best fantasy series in a long time, at least it has the potential to be with it at the half way point. A masterpiece of plotting, filled with unexpected but quite believable twists, complex and realistic politics and completely realized and complex characters. Its also frequenlty dark, often violent, and always moving. And unlike most fantasyâs the ending is far from clear. It really doesnât get any better than this.
Also have to recommend Steven Eriksonâs (though he will not be available in the states until sometime this spring or summer) âMalazan Book of the Fallenâ. Often over the top but strickingly fresh and original in many aspects. He has 5 books currently out, though they are only available at this time in England and Canada. I ordered my copies from Amazon UK based on the recommdation of many friends and was not disappointed.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/16 "2004-03-18T03:55:33Z")
I fourth the Flashman books, second the âMarchâ series **GMRyujin** mentioned, and add the âStenâ series by Bunch and Cole.
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### Author:  [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/17 "2004-03-18T04:35:25Z")
> [@Rashak Mani](#):
>
> Military: Just read âEnemy at the Gatesâ and loved it⌠Amazon is sending me âBlackhawk Downâ too. Suggestions for a good read ? Not to US patriotic BS please. Tired of Tom Clancy flag waving.
How about an Italian professor of Aesthetics in First World War? **A Soldier of the Great War** by Mark Helprin is one of the best war novels Iâve ever read.
The story is told by the 80 year old professor who misses his bus, along with an illiterate factory worker. They decide to walk together and his young companion listens raptly while the WWI veteran tells story after story of his amazing life. The tales he tells are episodic and hypnotic. You simply canât put this book down until you find out what happens to him next.
I really recommend it.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/18 "2004-03-18T12:45:16Z")
You might like S.M. Stirling. Iâd recommend his Nantucket trilogy, _Island in the Sea of Time_, _Against the Tide of Years_, and _On the Oceans of Eternity_. Or one of his more recent novels, _The Peshawar Lancers_ or _Conquistador_.
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### Author:  [@Kiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiger)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/19 "2004-03-18T13:43:29Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#):
>
> WWII Military - _An Army at Dawn - The War in North Africa, 1942-1943_ by Pulitzer Prize winner Rick Atkinson.
>
> This is volume one of The Liberation Trilogy and I am enjoying it very much.
>
> MeanJoe
I just picked this one up so Iâm glad to hear itâs a good read. I just finished his new book **In the Company of Soldiers**. He was embedded with the 101st Airborn in Iraq - although it should have been titled âIn the Company of Division Commandersâ because thatâs really what itâs about. I notice that the negative reviews it got on Amazon focus on the fact that he doesnât pull punches when it comes to the Bush administration.
Some others Iâd recommend are **Cornelius Ryan: A Bridge Too Far** (Operation Market-Garden)
and
\*\*Sherry Sontag: Blind Manâs Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage \*\*
For SF, any of the **Alastair Reynolds** books particularly **Chasm City**
---
### Author:  [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-history-war-and-fantasy-books/234919/20 "2004-03-18T15:07:55Z")
> [@davos](#):
>
> On the fantasy end I would suggest checking out George R. R. Martinâs âA Song of Ice and Fireâ series.
Reread the OP, dudeâŚ
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