British authors have given us some of the best historical fiction books, bringing the past to life with unforgettable characters and rich storytelling. From the trenches of the Great War, World War II, or even the Napoleonic Wars
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What are Historical Wartime Books About?
Wartime books cover a vast range of historical events, weaving fiction with real-life experiences to create unforgettable stories. Some focus on the brutality and heroism of soldiers fighting on the front lines, while others explore the lives of those left behind.
Many historical fiction books set in wartime also explore themes of self-discovery, moral dilemmas, and the impact of war on society. From the devastation of the slave trade to the struggles of those under house arrest in Nazi Germany, these stories reveal the personal and political battles fought beyond the battlefield.
These books remind us that history is not just about battles and dates, it’s about the people who lived through it, and the choices and effects that we still see the echo of today.
Run Them Ashore by Adrian Goldsworthy
Autumn 1810. Napoleon’s forces have swept across Spain, and Britain’s position in the war is growing ever more precarious. As the French tighten their grip, Lieutenant Williams of His Majesty’s 106th Foot is sent deep behind enemy lines to fight alongside the Spanish guerrillas.
But in the brutal and unpredictable world of partisan warfare, danger lurks not only in the enemy ranks, there is a traitor among them.
With time running out, Williams must navigate the treacherous terrain of war and betrayal to reach the British forces before a daring raid turns into a catastrophe.
Check out Run Them Ashore by Adrian Goldsworthy.
East Indiaman by Griff Hosker
For young orphan William, survival in the harsh docklands of east London means a life of petty crime. Like the other ‘wharf rats,’ he has no choice but to steal to stay alive. But when he unknowingly crosses a ruthless pirate captain, his only hope is to run.
Forced to stow away, William embarks on a journey that will take him across the world, into the ranks of the East India Company’s soldiers, where danger, adventure, and war await.
Read East Indiaman by Griff Hosker.
Islands of Silence by Martin Booth
In the summer of 1914, young archaeologist Alec Marquand arrived in the Scottish Highlands to survey ancient Stone Age brochs on a remote estate.
His work leads him to Eilean Tosdach, “the Island of Silence”. Here he makes a discovery that alters his life forever. But before he can fully grasp its significance, war intervenes. Reluctantly thrust into the chaos of the First World War, Alec serves as a medic on a ship bound for the brutal shores of Gallipoli, where he must confront both the horrors of battle and the ghosts of his past.
Take a look at Islands of Silence by Martin Booth.
Hill 112 by Adrian Goldsworthy
D-Day, June 6th, 1944. As the Allies storm the beaches of Normandy, three young men from South Wales find themselves thrust into one of the most brutal battles of the war.
James, once a school cricket captain, now commands a troop of Sherman tanks. Mark, just nineteen, leads an infantry platoon into the chaos. Bill, a loner by nature, fights on the front lines as a private soldier. Their friendship is tested as they become part of the harrowing battle for Hill 112.
This strategic position will determine the fate of the Normandy campaign.
Read Hill 112 by Adrian Goldsworthy.
Love and Duty at Blackberry Farm by Rosie Clarke
Step back into the world of Blackberry Farm with the latest instalment from bestselling author Rosie Clarke, where love, duty, and heartache collide amidst the backdrop of World War II.
Set in Cambridgeshire in 1942, Love and Duty at Blackberry Farm follows young Artie Talbot, who longs to fight for his country alongside his brothers, but feels bound to the farm and his duties there. As his feelings for Jeanie Salmons deepen, Artie grapples with whether marriage will be the solution to his internal conflict.
Meanwhile, Artie’s brother John struggles with the traumatic loss of his beloved, while trying to build a new life for himself and his newborn son.
Fall in love and read Love and Duty at Blackberry Farm by Rosie Clarke.
Still Life by Sarah Winman
Still Life is a captivating and big-hearted novel that weaves together love, war, art, and the bond between two unlikely friends against the backdrop of war-torn Tuscany.
In 1944, as Allied troops advance through Italy and bombs rain down on deserted villages, young English soldier Ulysses Temper seeks refuge in the wine cellar of an abandoned villa. There, he meets Evelyn Skinner, an art historian sent to salvage paintings and recapture memories of her youth.
The unlikely duo forms a deep connection amidst the chaos, setting Ulysses on a course that will shape the next four decades of his life.
Returning to London after the war, Ulysses immerses himself in the eccentric circle of regulars at The Stoat and Parrot pub, but the memory of his time in Italy stays with him. When an unexpected inheritance brings him back to the Tuscan hills, Ulysses finds himself once again facing the ghosts of the past, and the possibility of a future he never imagined.
Take a look at Still Life by Sarah Winman.
The Man in the Bunker by Rory Clements
The Man in the Bunker is a thrilling spy novel that imagines a chilling alternate history where Adolf Hitler might have survived the end of World War II. Set in the summer of 1945, Germany is in ruins, but the question remains: Is Hitler really dead?
In the aftermath of the war, Germany is torn apart. Refugees, Holocaust survivors, and displaced soldiers struggle to rebuild their lives. As Allied forces interrogate the remaining Nazi officials, they are faced with the unsettling possibility that Hitler’s death may have been a cover-up.
The question on everyone’s mind… Who is the man in the bunker?
Enter Tom Wilde, a Cambridge professor and spy tasked with uncovering the truth behind the mystery. Sent to investigate, Wilde must navigate the post-war chaos and the web of lies surrounding the Führer’s supposed demise. As he delves deeper into a world filled with intrigue and deception, Wilde must confront dark secrets that could change the course of history.
Solve the mystery in The Man in the Bunker by Rory Clements.
The Midnight News by Jo Baker
In The Midnight News, Jo Baker, author of the bestselling Longbourn, delivers a tense and atmospheric World War II novel about one woman unraveling during the Blitz. She grapples with grief, danger, and a growing sense of paranoia.
It’s 1940, and London is under siege as German planes fly overhead. Charlotte Richmond, a twenty-year-old typist at the Ministry of Information, tries to maintain a sense of normalcy while mourning the loss of her beloved brother, who never returned from France.
She spends her days at work, sharing quiet moments with her best friend, Elena, and avoiding her overbearing father. But the Blitz brings more than just destruction. It brings unexpected encounters, like the boy who feeds the birds outside her window, offering fleeting moments of solace.
However, the devastating losses continue, and a creeping sense of unease builds. Someone is stalking Charlotte’s world, targeting her friends, and now it seems as though he’s focusing on her.
As suspicion and grief begin to consume her, Charlotte finds herself increasingly uncertain of who she can trust. In the chaos of war, she can’t even trust herself.
Read The Midnight News by Jo Baker.
Read More British Books
Looking to immerse yourself in powerful storytelling set against the backdrop of war? These novels are well worth adding to your reading list.
But don’t stop there! There are plenty of great British authors for you to explore across a vast range of genres. Start exploring today and browse by location, gender, or genre to discover your next read!
Happy reading!