10/14/24 Holidays & Seasons

In honor of Veteran’s Day, browse Veterans Day reading recommendations from a variety of sources. A wide ranging number of books written by scholars, historians, and observers about wars, military strategy, and the experiences of both active duty and veteran service members are classic, best-selling, and highly awarded. Journalists embed with troops and report from all aspects of war from the military command to troop units on the ground.

Sometimes the authors of the recommended books listed are people outside military service, but more often the authors are fellow service members. What these titles share is the distinction of being recommended by service members. These are the titles they suggest to each other, as well as to those of who have not served.

By choosing one of the following lists of recommendations you can explore title choices thoroughly and read in-depth reviews written by service members. A selection of these recommendations are listed below linked to the catalog for easy check out.

Veterans Day Reading Recommendations

• The National World War II Museum: World War II Reads – Memoirs
  Two members of the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy selected their four “can’t miss” WWII memoirs. One of the four selections is by Indiana’s own Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and war correspondent, Ernie Pyle.
  
  1. Ernie Pyle in England by Ernie Pyle
  2. Helmet for My Pillow From Parris Island to the Pacific by Robert Leckie
  3. With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa by E.B. Sledge
  4. If You Survive by George Wilson
  
• Marine Corps. Commandant’s Professional Reading List
  This is a list of required annual reading for all officer and enlisted Marines, whether active duty or reserve.
  
• DOD Reads
  While not affiliated with the US government or the Department of Defense, DOD Reads is a veteran run organization for readers in the military. Listen to the founder’s story.
  
• The Library of Congress Free to Use and Reuse: Veterans Collection
  Features photos, sheet music, letters, films and more from American veterans throughout history.

Are you a veteran? Do you have a story to share?

The Library of Congress invites you to participate in the Veterans History Project. The Veterans History Project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Sharing Veteran’s Day with Children

Veterans Day is an opportune time to share what military service is with young children. Check out a book from Stories for Kids about Active Duty Soldiers, Veterans, and Their Families for picture book and early reading tributes that illuminate the experiences of active duty soldiers, veterans, and their families. Titles range from community observances like Veteran’s Day to traditions celebrated in families to honor their own active duty or Veteran service members to the experiences of children whose parents serve.