I know it’s not as sexy as World War II, but these breathtaking WW1 books also deserve a place on your bookshelf as the best World War I books.
Like many readers, World War II is my favorite genre of historical fiction. On the surface, WWII is such a black-and-white, good vs. evil conflict that it’s easy to fall in love with the time period. When you look deeper, you can see a million shades of grey, but you almost always end with a feel-good story or a shocking, we will never let this happen again, message.
Then there’s World War I. The First World War is far from black-and-white. The entire war is messy and complicated and horrifying while being completely avoidable if history had played out differently.
Although often overshadowed by the popularity of WW2 books, WW1 books have these complex layers of nuance as they try to make sense of a painful period in our history.
From hard-hitting war novels to heartwarming historical fiction and informative nonfiction, I’ve collected the best World War 1 books I could find in this book list.
Best WW1 Books
All Quiet on the Western Front
Erich Maria Remarque
Shortly after the start of the First World War, the compelling speeches of his teacher caused Paul Bäumer and his entire class to enlist in the Imperial German Army. Thrust into the chaos of the front, Paul faces emotional and psychological tolls greater than he could ever imagine. Yet, Paul finds no relief when he returns home and struggles to adapt to civilian life in one of the best WW1 books ever written.
The Alice Network
Kate Quinn
In 1915, Eve Gardiner is overjoyed to join the Alice Network of the French Resistance during WWI, only to see it betrayed. Then, in 1947, Eve agrees to help Charlie St. Clair, an American socialite desperate to find her cousin, Rose. Rose disappeared in France during the Second World War, and Eve sees the shadows of her past in this new case. Combing both the major world wars, The Alice Network is quite a find for historical fiction readers.
Private Peaceful
Michael Morpurgo
This simple but unforgettable story focuses on the lives of two brothers – Charlie and Thomas Peaceful. Tommo, too young to enlist, has lied about his age to follow his brother to the front lines of the war. Told over the course of one night, Tommo reflects on the events of his life and contemplates a grim future. A poignant reminder of the horrible realities of war, Private Peaceful is a powerful book that will stay with you long after you’ve read it.
A Farewell to Arms
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway’s semiautobiographical work recounts the story of Frederic Henry, an American ambulance driver on the Italian front of World War I who falls in love with a beautiful English nurse. After initially falling for Catherine, Frederic is wounded and their love affair deepens as he recovers in Milan before being sent back to the front lines. Set against the horrors of war, A Farewell to Arms was Hemingway’s first bestseller and is considered one of the best World War 1 books.
The Poems
Wilfred Owen
The rise of anti-war sentiment in 1920 literature is readily apparent in Wilfred Owen’s poetry, placing it among one of the best war books to read. Discussing the horrors of the trenches and gas warfare during World War I, Owens’s firsthand experiences reverberate through his powerful verses. Owens died in action just one week before the Armistice was signed, and his first collection of poetry, with some of his most famous works, was published posthumously in 1920.
Nonfiction World War I Books
The First World War
John Keegan
One of the best WW1 books ever written, military historian John Keegan’s The First World War is a definitive account of the war. Keegan explores the causes of the war – how diplomacy and communication failed, plunging almost the entire world into conflict. Better yet, Keegan’s keen eye analyzes the military conflict of the war, giving a panoramic overview of the history of the first world war.
The Guns of August
Barbara W. Tuchman
While overviews of the entire war are great, it’s always fascinating to read WW1 books that narrow in on smaller pieces of the Great War. Tuchman won a Pulitzer Prize for her account of the first thirty days of the war. After using King Edward VII’s funeral to highlight the larger context of the war, Tuchman focuses on the summer of 1914 – from the decisions to go to war to the offensive to stop the German advance into France.
Testament of Youth
Vera Brittain
If you asked me what is the absolute saddest book ever, hands down the answer would be Vera Brittain’s autobiography. When the First World War comes to England, Vera’s older brother and all his friends enlist in the military. Not to be left behind, Vera herself ends up leaving school to become a nurse, serving in London, Malta, and the Western Front in France. By the end of the war, almost all the men she ever knew are dead.
Gallipoli
Alan Moorehead
While it’s invigorating to read about military victories, you can learn so many lessons about tragic defeats, such as the battle of Gallipoli. When Turkey unexpectedly allied with Germany, Winston Churchill conceived of a plan to break through the Dardanelles and reopen shipping lines with Russia. However, poor communication allowed the Allies to go from almost certain victory to soul-crushing defeat, in a battle that left a quarter of a million casualties for the Allies.
Dead Wake
Erik Larson
In 1915, Germany declared that they considered the ocean around Britain a war zone and their dreaded U-Boats wreaked havoc on shipping traffic. Yet when the luxury ocean liner Lusitania set sail for New York, the crew felt it inconceivable that the Germans would target a civilian target. With his powerful narrative nonfiction ability, Erik Larson describes the horrific sinking of the Lusitania, a tragedy that urged the United States closer to joining World War I.
Historical Fiction Books About WW1
Fall of Giants
Ken Follett
Ken Follett’s epic historical fiction World War 1 novel tells a tale of five interconnected families. In 1911, thirteen-year-old Billy works in the coal mine just as George V is crowned king. When the daughter of the coal mine owners falls in love with a German spy in London, her affair drags Billy into a greater conflict and connects their storyline with that of an aide to US President Woodrow Wilson and two orphaned Russian brothers trying to emigrate to America.
Scarlet Carnation
Laila Ibrahim
WW1 books about life on the homefront far from the front lines can be just as captivating as war novels. Scarlet Carnation follows the lives of two women as they seek independence in 1915 Virginia. May, a white woman, feels her dreams shattered and is forced to rely again on her mother. Meanwhile, Naomi, a Black Nurse and leader of the NAACP, finally buys her own home, but the majority-white neighborhood wants to force her out, even as Naomi’s sons are off fighting in the war.
The Pull of the Stars
Emma Donoghue
In 1918, Nurse Julia Powers struggles to manage an Irish maternity ward ravaged by influenza and short-staffed by the war. With the help of volunteer Bridie Sweeney and controversial Doctor Kathleen Lynn, Julia tries her best to save the lives of expectant mothers as they bring new life into the world. An interesting character study, Donoghue’s novel reflects the strain of being a healthcare worker during a crisis.
Publication Date: 21 July 2020
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Birdsong
Sebastian Faulks
In one of the most classic WW1 books, Sebastian Faulks highlights the trauma of WWI veterans. Young English soldier Stephen Wraysford finds himself on the front lines in France, caught in a wild love affair with Isabelle Azaire. Yet, it’s the world of the trenches in the Battle of Amiens that ultimately ends the war but also forever changes Stephen. Later, in 1970, Stephen’s granddaughter Elizabeth tries to understand his war experiences.
Regeneration
Pat Barker
If you are interested in books on World War 1 that showcase the psychological damage to soldiers, you should read Pat Barker’s Regeneration. Blending real-life characters with fictional ones, Regeneration starts with a decorated war hero Siegfried Sassoon denouncing the war and being sent to Craiglockhart War Hospital, a military hospital for the treatment of shell-shocked officers. Just be sure to read up on the actual histories of the real characters after reading the novel.
Heartwarming WWI Historical Fiction
The Porcelain Moon
Janie Chang
At the end of the First World War, Pauline Deng runs away from her Chinese family in Paris to escape an arranged marriage back in Shanghai. In the French countryside, Pauline finds shelter with Camille, a French woman planning to escape her own abusive marriage. Until Pauline finds out a terrible secret about Camille, forcing them to make a decision that will bind them together forever.
Band of Sisters
Lauren Willig
In April 1917, a charismatic alumna gives an impassioned speech at Smith College urging the women to go to France to help with relief efforts. Kate Moran has no plans to go, but when a girl drops out, Kate’s best friend Emmeline begs her to fill the slot. Based on a true story, Band of Sisters tells of these brave women coping with the hardships of the war while navigating old rivalries and betrayals.
Lady Clementine
Marie Benedict
Marie Benedict turns her creative eye on Clementine Churchill, in this intriguing historical fiction novel that covers both the World Wars. In 1908, Clementine Hozier married Winston Churchill. Instead of just being a wife to a powerful political figure, Clementine proved herself his equal, from saving his political career after his disastrous WWI defeat at Gallipoli to refining his famous World War II speeches.
Lost Roses
Martha Hall Kelly
Inspired by true events, Lost Roses recounts the story of Eliza and other fierce women during World War I. At the outbreak of the war, Eliza finds herself in St. Petersburg with her Russian friend Sofya Streshnayva. While Eliza escapes back to the US, Sofya must remain to face a country at war. If you loved Kelly’s WWII novel, Lilac Girls, and want to take a jump into WWI historical fiction, be sure to check out this book.
The Call of the Wrens
Jenni L. Walsh
If you can’t get enough of WW1 books that span both World Wars, try Walsh’s touching novel. In 1917, Marion joined the Wrens, the Women’s Royal Navy Service, serving as a motorcycle despatch on the front lines of the Western Front training and delivering carrier pigeons. Marion has finally found a place she belongs until tragedy strikes and her dreams are shattered. In 1936, society girl Evelyn wants to enroll as a despatch driver but her parents threaten to cut her off. Meanwhile, a fellow Wren asks Marion to serve her country once again.
Switchboard Soldiers
Jennifer Chiaverini
In June 1917, US General Pershing arrived in France and realized the Allies were desperately in need of skilled telephone operators. Although women were not allowed to enlist, or even vote, the U.S. Army Signal Corps began recruiting women and they enthusiastically accepted the call. Based on true events, Switchboard Soldiers follows three such women – Grace, a Barnard alumna; Marie, an aspiring opera singer; and Valerie, a Belgium native living in Los Angeles.
What WW1 Books Do You Recommend?
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with my WW1 Books List? What World War 1 Books have I forgotten? As always, let me know in the comments!
More Keyword Reading Lists:
Lindsey says
Lovely War by Julie Berry!
Patrice McDonough says
Wow…wonderful to spotlight the often-overlooked world war. You have so many of my favorites on your list. I’d add two books that show how the great war shattered the old Victorian-Edwardian worldview and values: Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves and The Great War and Modern Memory by Paul Fussell. Charles Todd’s Inspector Rutledge mystery series explores the aftermath of psychological suffering that soldiers endured. He/they (they are a mother-son writing duo) have a second mystery series featuring Beth Crawford, a nurse serving on the Western Front.
Patti Pastori says
The Facemaker by Lindsey Fitzharris. It’s fascinating!
Cheryl Westlake says
Your list is great! Daughters of Victory by Gabriella Saab resistance of Lenin then Stalin. I found it to be an exhilarating read
Parker Dawn says
So many! I have read several on your list but there’s a few I’m going to check out. I read one last year that I really enjoyed…. Set in England after WWI but before WWII. It’s called The Orphans of Mersea House by Marty Wingate. It’s about 2 women that start a boarding house and revolves around their lives and the lives of their tenants, along with a young girl affected by polio. They are all orphans in one way or another. Really a sweet enjoyable read. I think you may like it.
Patricia Anne Bryan says
I prefer WW1 novels..the Pat Barker trilogy wonderful in its sweep from Spiritualism,poetry and psychiatry,based on real people.That’s if I have to read “war”books at all.However,I do believe both Wars need to be remembered.
Vanessa says
For this challenge, I read The Summer Before the War (it does take the reader into wartime too), by Helen Simonson. It was as bittersweet and charming as a Downton Abbey season, with humor, tragedy, and many quirky characters, endearing and not.
Ann says
Several of these have had great movie adaptations as well!
All Quiet On The Western Front just won several Oscars. And Gallipoli starred young Mel Gibson. Testament of Youth starred Alicia Vikander.
Thanks for this list.
Barbara R Goostree says
I listened to All Quiet on the Western Front a few months ago and was so deeply affected. I was struck by how we never seem to learn the lessons of war, and keep repeating the same grievous errors again and again. The writing was beautiful, and I appreciated how I got to experience the horrors of war from inside the main character’s mind.
Mary Craven says
A Star for Mrs Blake
Widows were offered a paid passage to Belgium and France in the late 20s to see a marker for their husband’s or sons. My paternal grandfather is on a tomb as MIA in Belgium. I had never heard of this program
Mary Smith Craven
2023
Anne Green says
Great selection of WW1 books, many of which I’ve enjoyed. You might want to keep a lookout for a soon to be released book by Australian author, Pip Williams, author of “The Dictionary of Lost Words”. Her sequel to this is “The Bookbinder of Jericho” which is set in WW1 and a novel take (no pun intended) on this category of books. Vera Brittain is in fact included in it as a minor character.
CimmieS says
Well I recall weeping over A Farewell to Arms & Testament to Youth. Gallipoli resonated as my grandfather was at that disaster. He lived, to fight again in WW2.
I’m aware it’s more juvenile fiction, yet my husband continues to read & enjoy his collection of Biggles books. They’re also probably PC however they’re action packed tales of pilots during & after WW1.
Juraj says
Ernst Jünger’s Storm Of Steel should be on there. It is the perfect antithesis to All Quiet On The Western Front
Glen says
The Desert Column- Ion Idriess. An amazing diary of an Australian trooper in Gallipoli, et al..
Stefanie says
“The Summer Before the War” is the one on my list but I am definitely going to add some from this list!
Shelley James says
Glad to see Regeneration on the list as that was the book that got me interested in Siegfried Sassoon who is one of my absolute heroes. His fictionalised autobiographies are also fabulous reads to get into the centre of the period. Look for “memoirs of a fox hunting man” and “memoirs of an infantry officer”. Just watched Benediction last night which is about his life between the wars, which is enjoyable but I think takes a lot of liberties with the material.