best war novels?
04-25-01, 12:02 AM
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One of my favorites is called You're Stepping On My Cloak And Dagger by Roger Hall. It's a sometimes light hearted, sometimes hilarious tale about Hall and his life in the O.S.S. during WW2. Unfortunately it's pretty hard to find a copy as it's been out of print for over 40 years. My copy is only in ok condition and it still cost me $30.
04-25-01, 05:10 PM
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The Short-Timers by Gustav Hasford is one of my all time favorites. It's the book Full Metal Jacket was made from, and as much as I like that movie, it just doesn't do the book justice.
If you haven't read it, I reccomend it completely. It's a short read, although I believe it is now out of print. You can probably find a copy in a used book store though.
If you haven't read it, I reccomend it completely. It's a short read, although I believe it is now out of print. You can probably find a copy in a used book store though.
04-25-01, 05:35 PM
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Hey folks - the topic is war novels. So non-fiction doesn't count.
These are my favorites:
A Farewell to Arms - Hemingway
Classic romance amid war
The Beardless Warriors - Richard Matheson
While obviously inspired by All Quiet..., this novel is probably the best WWII story I've ever read. Truly worth the read.
Where Eagles Dare - Alister MacLean
So much better than the film
Fields of Fire - James Webb
The best Vietnam novel I've ever read
These are my favorites:
A Farewell to Arms - Hemingway
Classic romance amid war
The Beardless Warriors - Richard Matheson
While obviously inspired by All Quiet..., this novel is probably the best WWII story I've ever read. Truly worth the read.
Where Eagles Dare - Alister MacLean
So much better than the film
Fields of Fire - James Webb
The best Vietnam novel I've ever read
04-25-01, 06:30 PM
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Originally posted by BoatDrinks
Hey folks - the topic is war novels. So non-fiction doesn't count.
Hey folks - the topic is war novels. So non-fiction doesn't count.
04-25-01, 08:41 PM
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"The Things They Carried", by Tim O'Brien. A series of vignettes and short stories about Vietnam. As I read it, I wanted to howl, and foam at the mouth, and tear my teeth out -- it was that good!
04-25-01, 09:03 PM
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Another great one for you is Those Devils in Baggy Pants by Ross S. Carter. Carter was one of three survivors of his original paratroop platoon which served in Europe & Africa during WWII. An excellent down to earth look at how things were. My copy is an old paperback from 1951, but I believe this one was reprinted not to long ago and should be available.
04-25-01, 09:45 PM
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Thin Red Line is excellent. MUCH better than the movie IMO.
edit -- another interesting trilogy (i think) is the British one "An Officer and a Gentleman", etc. It paints an interesting picture of the general ineffectualness and lack of preparation of the British army at the beginning of WWII -- esp in N. Africa. I read 2 of them this summer. Very interesting characters too.
Tuan Jim
edit -- another interesting trilogy (i think) is the British one "An Officer and a Gentleman", etc. It paints an interesting picture of the general ineffectualness and lack of preparation of the British army at the beginning of WWII -- esp in N. Africa. I read 2 of them this summer. Very interesting characters too.
Tuan Jim
04-25-01, 10:26 PM
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Anything by Tim O'Brien
Going After Cacciato
In The Lake Of The Woods
The Things They Carried
If I Die In A Combat Zone
Trust me, if you like war stories/novels, check him out. He is one of the best authors out there.
Going After Cacciato
In The Lake Of The Woods
The Things They Carried
If I Die In A Combat Zone
Trust me, if you like war stories/novels, check him out. He is one of the best authors out there.
04-27-01, 11:39 PM
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Check out W.E.B Griffin. He has several series of books dealing with WWII. I just finished reading his Men at War novels. Incredible stories dealing with the start of the CIA or "aka" the OSS.
The Last Heroes,Men at War Series , Vol 1
The Secret Warriors,Men at War, vol 2
The Soldier Spies, vol 3
The Fighting Agents, vol 4
He also has two an older series called The Brotherhood of War and The Corps I'm going to start these soon.
[Edited by Chili Palmer on 04-27-01 at 09:43 PM]
The Last Heroes,Men at War Series , Vol 1
The Secret Warriors,Men at War, vol 2
The Soldier Spies, vol 3
The Fighting Agents, vol 4
He also has two an older series called The Brotherhood of War and The Corps I'm going to start these soon.
[Edited by Chili Palmer on 04-27-01 at 09:43 PM]
