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.

Waverley

by Sir Walter Scott

Publication year 1814

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Coming of Age, The Past, War

Tags British Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Classic Fiction

Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since, first published anonymously in 1814, was Scott’s first novel. Often comical and with aspects of a picaresque novel, Waverley depicts the travels of the English soldier Edward Waverley during the Jacobite uprising of 1745. Scott was a celebrated poet and writer of works such as Ivanhoe and The Lady of the Lake. He is best known for his nuanced depictions of Scottish life. Waverley was wildly... Read Waverley Summary

We Are Displaced

by Malala Yousafzai

Publication year 2018

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Immigration, War, Community, Safety & Danger, Femininity, Politics & Government, Family, Education, Gender Identity, Fear, Grief, Memory, Perseverance, Conflict

Tags Politics & Government, Social Justice, World History, Immigration & Refugeeism, Gender & Feminism, Education, Biography

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Weedflower

by Cynthia Kadohata

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Community, Safety & Danger, Coming of Age, Justice, Race, Shame & Pride, Loneliness, Family, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Equality, Fear, War

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Military & War, World History, Japanese Literature, Arts & Culture, World War II, Coming of Age

Weedflower, Cynthia Kadohata’s 2006 historical fiction young adult novel, tells the story of 12-year-old Japanese American Sumiko amid Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and the US government’s ensuing involvement in World War II. Kadohata depicts the conditions of Japanese internment camps from Sumiko’s perspective, providing unique insight and education on the racism that Japanese Americans faced and the US government’s poor decisions.This guide references the 2009 paperback reprint edition from Atheneum Books for Young Readers.Plot... Read Weedflower Summary

What Hath God Wrought

by Daniel Walker Howe

Publication year 2007

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, War, Justice

Tags American Literature, World History, US History, Politics & Government

What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 by American historian Daniel Walker Howe, explores the changes the United States underwent in the early 19th century. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History, the book was published in 2007 as part of The Oxford History of the United States. Howe’s work explores the political, military, social, economic, and cultural developments that shaped the nation. Howe does not shy away from the complexities and contradictions of... Read What Hath God Wrought Summary

What Moves the Dead

by T. Kingfisher

Publication year 2022

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Gender Identity, Death, Plants, Place, Social Class, War, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt

Tags Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, Historical Fiction, Gothic Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction

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When Broken Glass Floats

by Chanrithy Him

Publication year 2000

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Community, War, Order & Chaos, Coming of Age

Tags Asian History, Military & War, World History, Action & Adventure, Biography

Chanrithy Him’s memoir, When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge, was first published in 2000. This study guide refers to the 2001 Kindle edition. In the text Him details her experiences as a young child in Cambodia. Him was only five when the autocratic communist Khmer Rouge took over the country, and she recounts the trauma she endured during the five years the regime remained in power. Him’s father was beaten to... Read When Broken Glass Floats Summary

Where Men Win Glory

by Jon Krakauer

Publication year 2009

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes War

Tags Military & War, Iraq War, Sports, World History, Biography, Politics & Government

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman is a nonfiction book published in 2009 by the American journalist Jon Krakauer. It details the true story of Pat Tillman, a professional American football player who left his sports career to enlist in the army after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In 2004, Tillman died in Afghanistan as a result of friendly fire. Krakauer is known for his Outside magazine articles and several... Read Where Men Win Glory Summary

White Bird

by R. J. Palacio

Publication year 2019

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Disability, Death, Safety & Danger, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Friendship, Memory, The Past, Fear, Family, War, Grief, Conflict, Fathers, Justice, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Politics & Government, Trust & Doubt, Hope, Gratitude, Loneliness, Loyalty & Betrayal, Appearance & Reality, Nation

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Dramatic Literature, World War II, Holocaust, Military & War, World History

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Wifedom

by Anna Funder

Publication year 2023

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Literature, Memory, Femininity, Marriage, War, Justice, Truth & Lies

Tags Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies

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