War

From the Trojan War to World War II to the Iraq War, history has been shaped by humanity's tragic capacity to wage war. In this thematic collection, we have gathered fiction and nonfiction texts that investigate both the lessons and the senselessness crystallized in the aftermath of military conflict.

As Bright As Heaven

by Susan Meissner

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes War, Family, Grief, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Gratitude, Hope, Loneliness, Love, Regret, Nostalgia, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Death, Self Discovery

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II

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A Storm of Swords

by George R. R. Martin

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Disability, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Climate, Place, Family, Self Discovery, Social Class, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure

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A Study in Drowning

by Ava Reid

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Femininity, Gender Identity, The Past, Environment, War, Literature

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Gothic Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Fairy Tale & Folklore

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A Torch Against the Night

by Sabaa Tahir

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Hate & Anger, Race, Death, Self Discovery, War

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure

A Torch Against the Night (2016) is a young adult fantasy novel by Sabaa Tahir. It is the second installment in the bestselling Ember Quartet, which is set in a brutal world inspired by ancient Rome. Following the commercial and critical success of the first book in the series, An Ember in the Ashes (2015), A Torch Against the Night became a #1 New York Times bestseller. The novel continues the story of fugitives Laia... Read A Torch Against the Night Summary

A Very Short Story

by Ernest Hemingway

Publication year 1924

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Love, War, Self Discovery

Tags Classic Fiction, Romance, World War I, The Lost Generation, Education, Education, American Literature, Dramatic Literature

“A Very Short Story” is one of Ernest Hemingway’s earliest literary works. It originally appeared as one of 18 vignettes that made up the chapbook in our time, published in 1924. The story was later republished, along with the original vignettes and 14 additional short stories, in a new and expanded edition of In Our Time in 1925. This guide refers to that later edition.“A Very Short Story” is semi-autobiographical, based loosely upon Hemingway’s own... Read A Very Short Story Summary

A Woman of No Importance

by Sonia Purnell

Publication year 2019

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Justice, War, Gender Identity

Tags World History, US History, World War II, Holocaust, Women`s Studies, Horror & Suspense, Military & War, Biography

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of Virginia Hall, WWII’s Most Dangerous Spy is a 2019 biography by Sonia Purnell. It tells the story of Virginia Hall, a US spy whose efforts were critical to France’s success in World War II. Despite its larger-than-life nature and importance to the Allies’ success, Hall’s story has remained largely unknown until now. In recounting Virginia Hall’s life, Purnell examines themes like the importance of Serving a... Read A Woman of No Importance Summary

Babette's Feast

by Karen Blixen

Publication year 1958

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Food, War, Religion & Spirituality, Art

Tags Historical Fiction, Relationships, Scandinavian Literature, Food, World History, Classic Fiction

“Babette’s Feast” (1958) is one of the best-known short stories by Danish author Karen Blixen. It was included in her 1958 anthology of short stories, Anecdotes of Destiny, which was published under her pseudonym, Isak Dinesen. Blixen is best known for her literary explorations of spiritual themes and the contradictions of human nature. Both “Babette’s Feast” and Blixen’s memoir Out of Africa (1937) were adapted into Academy Award–winning films.“Babette’s Feast” focuses on themes of physical... Read Babette's Feast Summary

Babylon's Ashes

by James S. A. Corey

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hate & Anger, Hope, Revenge, Death, Future, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Objects & Materials, Place, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Economics, Globalization, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

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Band of Brothers

by Stephen E. Ambrose

Publication year 1992

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes War

Tags Military & War, World War II, US History, World History, Biography

Band of Brothers is a nonfiction history of one World War II company of paratroopers, Easy Company of the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne. Through a combination of narrative, interviews, maps, and excerpts from letters, Stephen E. Ambrose follows the lives of this group of soldiers from their training in 1942, their deployments in Europe, and their lives after the war. By focusing on the lives of members of one particular company, Ambrose reveals the reality... Read Band of Brothers Summary

Beach Music

by Pat Conroy

Publication year 1995

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Forgiveness, Grief, Love, Memory, Mental Health, Race, Midlife, The Past, Animals, Family, Grandparents, Mothers, Immigration, War, Loyalty & Betrayal, Music

Tags Historical Fiction, Southern Literature, Depression & Suicide, Grief & Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature

Pat Conroy’s 1995 novel Beach Music is a work of historical fiction. Set primarily in South Carolina, the novel follows a community fractured by memories of the Holocaust and the social upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s. Beach Music explores the nature of generational trauma and the way our pasts shape our futures. The power of forgiveness and the differences between duty and loyalty are also prominent themes. The setting and culture of the American... Read Beach Music Summary