# War literature (for a 17 y/o) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 8, 2013, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668 "2013-10-08T09:51:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/21 "2013-10-08T19:12:09Z")
This was one of my favorites: > **[Chickenhawk (book)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickenhawk_(book))** > > Chickenhawk is Robert Mason's narrative of his experiences as a "Huey" UH-1 Iroquois helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. The book chronicles his enlistment, flight training, deployment to and experiences in Vietnam, and his experiences after returning from the war. > Mason was encouraged to write his Vietnam memoir by Knox Burger, the editor of an author-friend of Mason (Bill Smith, better known as Martin Cruz Smith). He began writing Chickenhawk on May 17, 1979 while living in Florida. The... ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/22 "2013-10-09T05:21:03Z")
Another book that just occurred to me: _ **The Great Escape** _ by Paul Brickell. The true story of the British POWs incarcerated in Luft Stalag III, and later made into a blockbuster movie. ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/23 "2013-10-09T10:52:38Z")
Possibly _All Quiet on the Western Front_. Or _Five Chimneys_ by Olga Lengyel. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/24 "2013-10-09T11:08:00Z")
If War Lit includes actual histories, then _ **Stalingrad** _ by Anthony Bevor. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/25 "2013-10-09T11:37:39Z")
How about [Maus?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maus) ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/26 "2013-10-09T13:04:46Z")
I’ve thought that [_Fields of Fire_](http://www.amazon.com/Fields-Fire-James-Webb/dp/0553583859) is one of the finest war novels ever written. Further, the prose and vocabulary aren’t that complicated, it’s fairly straightforward. The author provides a glossary for some of the more esoteric Marine and Vietnam War era slang. The narrative is written in an episodic manner, with some flashbacks and flash forwards which might be tough to follow though. Plus, it’s fairly short. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/27 "2013-10-09T13:13:27Z")
I’m leaning towards _All Quiet…_ for my student, because it’s quite short, it has a Sparknotes page (I have nothing against sparknotes, it’s all learning! As long as the reading still gets done.) and she can watch the film afterwards if she likes. I’ll see what she thinks. I love all the other suggestions so much though, there’s a lot going on my Xmas list. I can’t believe I haven’t read _Maus_ yet! ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/28 "2013-10-09T13:13:44Z")
What exactly qualifies? Does it have to be first-hand accounts, or can it be fiction? If historical fiction is in the mix, I might look at the Warlord Chronicles (story of King Arthur vs. Saxons), Saxon Tales(Saxons vs. Danes) or the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell. Or possibly some of the Hornblower or Aubrey/Maturin novels. For first-hand accounts, I liked “Forgotten Soldier” by Guy Sajer. It’s kind of like an “All Quiet on the Western Front” except in WWII on the Eastern Front. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/29 "2013-10-09T13:30:41Z")
Adding on, _[Immediate Action](http://www.amazon.com/Immediate-Action-Andy-McNab/dp/0440222451)_ is Andy McNabb’s—the Bravo Two-Zero guy—memoir of his initial infantry service, selection to SAS, and service in Northern Ireland. I liked _Bravo Two-Zero_, and I thought Immediate Action was a nice bookend to the story. I have not yet read, but mean to, _[The One That Got Away](http://www.amazon.com/ONE-THAT-GOT-AWAY-THE/dp/1597970085)_, the account of the Bravo Two-Zero mission by another member of the unit and the only member of the unit to escape capture by the Iraqis, Chris Ryan. Heading to Iraq, but a little later on, _[Generation Kill](http://www.amazon.com/Generation-Kill-Evan-Wright/dp/0425224740)_ is excellent. So’re the episodes I’ve seen of the HBO T.V. series of it. Sebastian Junger’s _[War](http://www.amazon.com/WAR-Sebastian-Junger/dp/B0085RZFDC)_ is a great documentary of a U.S. unit in the Konegal Valley, Afghanistan. The accompanying movie, _[Restrepo](http://restrepothemovie.com/)_, is supposed to be quite good too. Staying in Afghanistan, the account of Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, [_Lone Survivor_](http://www.amazon.com/Lone-Survivor-Eyewitness-Account-Operation/dp/0316044695), is yet another glimpse of the Afghanistan War, along with some examination of a few moral dilemmas inherent in fighting a war. I found all of them easy to read and interesting. Finally, Lothar-Guenther Buchheim’s novel, _[The Boat](http://www.amazon.com/Das-Boot-Boat-Lothar-G%C3%BCnther-Buchheim/dp/0304352314)_, and history, _[U-Boat War](http://www.amazon.com/U-Boat-War-Lothar-Gunther-Buchheim)_, are both very good at showing what it was like to serve (and mostly, die.) in the German U-Boat service during WW2. Plus, [the movie](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082096/) of his novel isn’t too shabby either. See the Director’s Cut, if possible. Pack a lunch if you do. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/30 "2013-10-09T13:56:40Z")
> [@bump](#): > > What exactly qualifies? Does it have to be first-hand accounts, or can it be fiction? > > If historical fiction is in the mix, I might look at the Warlord Chronicles (story of King Arthur vs. Saxons), Saxon Tales(Saxons vs. Danes) or the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell. Or possibly some of the Hornblower or Aubrey/Maturin novels. > > For first-hand accounts, I liked “Forgotten Soldier” by Guy Sajer. It’s kind of like an “All Quiet on the Western Front” except in WWII on the Eastern Front. Everything qualifies! According to the teacher at school (I’m a tutor, so I don’t make the rules) it can be any war. Technically no children’s books or YA lit, but so much is cross-over that I don’t really take it as a rule. It can’t be allegory though, so fantasy WWII allegories are out 😉 For this thread, however, everything goes. If you think it’s war lit & you enjoyed it, share it! (And maybe mention it specifically if you think it would be good for a 17 y/o EFL student.) ---
**Author:** ![Barrett\_Bonden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@Barrett\_Bonden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barrett_Bonden)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/31 "2013-10-09T13:57:34Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > When we do poetry (we did Romantic poetry last term, war poetry this term, and I sneak in Shakespeare etc when I can) she lights up. For all her trouble with the language, she really _gets_ the poetry! Poems are short, and as we connect the dots together it’s exciting and fun. If you feel like tossing poetry into the mix, these two have always fascinated me: [Dulce et Decorum Est](http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/owen1.html) (WWI) and [The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_the_Ball_Turret_Gunner) (WWII). ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/32 "2013-10-09T14:29:12Z")
> [@Barrett\_Bonden](#): > > If you feel like tossing poetry into the mix, these two have always fascinated me: > > [Dulce et Decorum Est](http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/owen1.html) (WWI) and > > [The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_the_Ball_Turret_Gunner) (WWII). The Owen is in the syllabus, but the other one is a great addition. It’s short, so perfect to sneak into the lesson quickly, and as the syllabus is all WWI poetry it gives a really interesting contrast. You can see the intervening 30 years in the writing. That’ll be interesting to put to her. Thanks! Anyone familiar with contemporary war poetry? How about the American Civil War (as I indicated early, it’s not something I am at all familiar with in that way.) ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/33 "2013-10-09T14:58:53Z")
Roald Dahl wrote some good short stories based on his war experiences, collected in Over To You. You can find synopses [here](http://www.roalddahlfans.com/books/over.php). They’re easy to read, with humour both light and dark; the general theme is of the psychological cost of war. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/34 "2013-10-09T16:26:34Z")
I almost forgot… [“Gates of Fire” by Steven Pressfield](http://www.amazon.com/Gates-Of-Fire-ebook/dp/B000NJL7QO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381335934&sr=8-1&keywords=gates+of+fire) is probably the most entertaining and interesting war novel I’ve read. Kind of poignant as well. It’s the story of Thermopylae that “300” wishes it could have been, and the movie that I wish could have been made, instead of that cartoony garbage. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/35 "2013-10-09T20:31:32Z")
Another vote for The Red Badge of Courage. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/36 "2013-10-09T20:54:12Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > I’d rather she read something short and do-able and loves it, and so works her way up to Hemingway. If these are the qualifications, then I’d suggest _[The Snow Goose: A Story of Dunkirk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Snow_Goose:_A_Story_of_Dunkirk)_, by Paul Gallico. It is more of a novella or extended story, but it has a nice plot that a young lady might enjoy. WWII plays a large role, especially towards the end; and Gallico, while not as gritty as Hemingway, might be able to serve as a stepping-stone towards that goal. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/37 "2013-10-09T21:56:38Z")
My dad gave me\*\* this book\*\* for Christmas 1965, and I would still enjoy reading it today: > **[The Great War (Real life stories): Edward Jablonski, Arnie Kohn: Amazon.com:...](https://www.amazon.com/Great-War-Real-life-stories/dp/B0007EPD42)** > > The Great War (Real life stories) \[Edward Jablonski, Arnie Kohn\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. The Great War (Real life stories) It has everything from Gallipoli to Verdun to Lawrence of Arabia (and she could watch the movies _ **Gallipoli** _, _ **Paths of Glory** _, and _ **Lawrence of Arabia** _ afterwards). My personal favorite is the story of Felix von Luckner, aka the _Seeadler_. I got **this book** at the same time as the one above, and it’s still another great read: > **[Flying Aces of World War One: Gurney, Gene: 9780394805603: Amazon.com: Books](https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Aces-World-War-One/dp/0394805607)** > > Flying Aces of World War One \[Gurney, Gene\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Flying Aces of World War One My favorite chapter is the one about Manfred von Richthofen, aka the Red Baron. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/38 "2013-10-09T23:55:10Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > How about Winston Churchill’s account of the Boer War? My suggestion is from the same author, different war: [The Second World War](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_World_War_(book_series)) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/39 "2013-10-10T01:14:26Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > _The Red Badge of Courage_ by Stephen Crane. I second this recommendation. _The Killer Angels_ by Michael Shaara is another civil war classic. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668/40 "2013-10-10T10:07:24Z")
Another vote for the Red Badge of Courage. > [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > My suggestion is from the same author, different war: > > [The Second World War](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_World_War_(book_series)) At 4737 pages, it may be a tad longer than what the OP is looking for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-literature-for-a-17-y-o/670668.md?page=3)