What are your favorite World War Two historical fiction books?

[Douglas W. Jacobson]

World War Two was the greatest tragedy in human history. Claiming more than fifty million lives it changed forever the course of human events. Emerging from the war were a million personal stories of courage, sacrifice, fear, anger, love and hate, many of which have been woven into grand historical novels. My favorites (beside my own book, of course) are Herman Wouk's classics, WINDS OF WAR and WAR AND REMEMBRANCE. In these epic tales, Wouk takes us on a journey through the entire global span of the war as seen through the eyes of an American naval family.

What are YOUR favorites?

Douglas W. Jacobson
Author, NIGHT OF FLAMES: A Novel of World War Two

[Michele]

I'm a Herman Wouk fan, too. War and Remembrance were the first books of his I read (oh lord, wasn't that mini-series just dreadful?) and loved it. Ditto with The Winds of War and The Caine Mutiny. Corelli's Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres is very good. Also The Thin Red Line by James Jones. I'm not too crazy about fiction set in the Pacific Theater, but may there is a good one out there that will change my mind.

ps....Night of Flames is indeed on my wishlist. Hoping that Christmas brings gift certificates so I can make a dent in that wishlist, ha.

[Carey]

I have never read Herman Wouk, sounds like he needs to go on my wish list along with Night of Flames! My favorite WWII historical fiction book is Gone to Soldiers by Marge Piercy.

[Michele]

I just looked up Piercy on Amazon, Carey....it looks great. I've never heard of it before (added to wishlist, which is getting too long to control, ha). Thanks for the heads up!

[Michele]

I'm pleased to say that Night of Flames just arrived via Amazon today.....looking forward to it!

[Douglas W. Jacobson]

Michele,
I hope you enjoy the story. I'd love to hear back from you after you've read it.
Doug Jacobson

[Arleigh]

I haven't read many set during WWII but a few months ago I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows and absolutely loved it!

[Lilly]

Even though I absolutely adore historical fiction, I could never warm up to WWII fiction. Instead I read true accounts, journals and memoirs of people who survived it. I am sure everybody got to read at one time or another about atrocities committed by the Nazis but I would like to recommend to you a literary memoir of a person who survived a Soviet prison camp, otherwise known as gulags.

"A World Apart" by Gustaw Herling [ISBN: 0140251847]

[sumthinblue]

I liked Markus Zusak's The Book Thief
http://sumthinblue.com/if-you-liked-markus-zusaks-the-book-thief-ho...

[Karoline]

Ever read the Kohler/St Cyr mysteries? I like those :)

[MissAttitude]

Ok so I have some YA picks: Mare's War by Tanita S. Davis and Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith. They present a view that is not very often written about. And I don't know if this counts but the Diary of Anne Frank was excellent.Also For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy by Kimberly Bradley. I can't wait to read these other titles listed :)

[sumthinblue]

the factuality or fictionality of this book is an ongoing debate, but
Night by Elie Wiesel remains to be a very powerful book about the Holocaust
http://sumthinblue.com/twas-a-dark-and-scary-night/

[Allie @ Hist-Fic Chick]

I haven't read too many WWII books either, but like Arleigh said, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was a wonderful book. If you're interested, you can check out my review here.