5 books on World War II you cannot miss!!

5 books on World War II you cannot miss!!

World War II (1939-45) brought out everything vile and everything noble that the humankind has. There are thousands of books written on this monumental event. 

Here are the five I loved the most:

1. All Hell Let Loose (Max Hastings)

Most of the books written on WW2 tell us what took place in those terrible days through the voices of the armies, the governments or the politicians who clashed in this greatest orgy of violence. 
But this book is about stories that were mostly ignored. It's about what the common civilians, soldiers, or prisoners went through. And they went through hell. 

2. Unbroken (Laura Hillenbrand)

Louis Zamperini was a runner of prodigious talent who went on to participate in Berlin Olympics. But the start of WW2 saw him join the armed forces as an airman. His bomber crashed one afternoon and he began his unbelievable journey of 76 days, without food or water on a raft. He spent the rest of the in brutal Japanese captivity. 
This book is a tale of human resilience. And what a person can go through and still survive if he has it in him. 

3. Stalingrad (Antony Beevor)

Stalingrad was the rock that smashed Hitler's diabolic intentions. The city fought a war at a price that no human society could possible have paid. The death toll was beyond comprehension and the sufferings of the citizens inhuman. People ate human flesh to survive. But they did not take a step back.   

4. We Die Alone (David Howarth)

This is a death defying story of a survivor of the an expatriate Norwegian commando unit that landed in Norway to help the Resistance. The team was betrayed and ambushed. What follows is a tale of pure resilience and indomitable courage. 

5. A Higher Call (Adam Markos)

This is a very unusual story. New York Times calls it " a beautiful story of brotherhood between enemies".  
Towards the end of the WW2, a badly damaged bomber staggers towards the border after its bombing mission. A Messerschmidt suddenly appears by its side. Pilot Franz Stigler just needs to pull the trigger of his fighter to obliterate the bomber and its young crew. What happens next makes up this legend of a story. 

The list can be endless. 
Do let me know your recommendations. 

Keep reading!! :)

Krishnendu Dutta