Best non-fiction books of inspiring, regular people who get swept up in WWII

by Kara Martinelli
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6 books
These are my favorite books about real people in WWII. These compelling stories are about the people who aren't big names in history, like generals and presidents. They are just about normal people who got swept up in these cataclysmic events and had to survive and fight back against tyranny. I like the personal nature of these stories of bravery and strength during these incredible events in history.
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In the garden of beasts

Erik Larson, 2011
I love this book because it reads at times like a page-turning suspense thriller or a horror story when you know what is coming next in history. The book focuses on the first American Ambassador to Nazi Germany in 1933 and his family, as it weaves a terrifying tale of their experiences and the outcome these events will have for the German citizens and the rest of the world. I recommend this one for people who love learning more about this period in history, since I am also an avid fan of WWII stories, I learned so much more than I already knew.

The Forgotten 500

The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II
Gregory A. Freeman, 2008
I love this book. One of my favorite movies is “The Great Escape” (yes, I know it was also a book) and reading this book feels like watching this movie. The story is a similar one that is an OSS rescue mission to save 500 downed airmen stuck in Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia while they secretly build an entire airstrip large enough for C-47s (if you’re not familiar, they are very large airplanes). Avoiding the Germans in the cover of darkness, the airmen and villagers risked their lives to build this strip in an attempt of rescue. Oh, and there’s also a revolution happening at the same time in Yugoslavia. This horribly dangerous mission makes for an incredible reading experience.

The Women with Silver Wings

The Inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II
Katherine Sharp Landdeck, 2021
The Women with Silver Wings is a story about the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP, who were the first women to fly for the U.S. military during WWII. I’ve always loved these women and their amazing spirit as they flew in the face of convention (pun intended) in the 1940s, when women were not accepted to do much more than housewife duties. I like this book in particular because I know a lot about the WASP history, but this book has lots of new stuff that I didn’t know. So, whether you are new to the subject or an old hand at this history, I guarantee you will love this story.

Unbroken (Movie Tie-in Edition)

A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand, 2018
Being a best seller, most people know about or have already read this one. But it will always remain one of my favorites. Louis Zamparini has such an inspiring and interesting story that started with his trip to the Olympics in 1930’s Berlin, with Jesse Owens as his roommate, and ends with his post-war life (my favorite stories to read) at home after his harrowing time in the Pacific during WWII. Louis was a B-24 pilot who spent a record 47 days floating in the Pacific after his plane crashed into the ocean, and instead of being rescued, they were captured by the Japanese. As a Japanese POW, he was tortured by a horrible prison guard. With its page-turning writing style, this book kept me up at night wanting to read more.

D-Day Girls

The Spies Who Armed the Resistance, Sabotaged the Nazis, and Helped Win World War II
Sarah Rose, 2020
This book is a story of several different women who participated in the French Resistance in Nazi-occupied France. I love the women that were chosen to be highlighted, including stories of romance, espionage, and torture. A little something for everyone, I suppose. Written like a narrative, this book has wonderful twists and turns (There was even a moment when I genuinely gasped at the reveal of a double agent). If you like tales about strong women from history, this is a must-read.

My Very Dearest Anna

My Grandparent's Letters from WWII
Kara Martinelli, 2011
Yes, this is my own book. But I do love it, as all authors love their books. I enjoyed exploring and researching my Grandparents' story during WWII, as they were two of my favorite people. For those with a close connection to their grandparents, I'm sure you can appreciate the joy and sadness of thinking of the life they had and the time you had together. My book tells the story of my Grandpa as he heads off to serve in the Air Corps in WWII. It contains all the letters that my Grandparents wrote to each other (at least the ones that survived) while I filled in the story with my own interviews with my Grandpa before he passed away. I also had access to a great deal of photos and notes that he took while he was in the Pacific. I love that I was able to share their personal story with the world and offer a small slice of history. The stories of the normal person who gets swept up in a war have always been fascinating to me. I hope people enjoy this story as much as I do.