What are the best historical fiction WW2 books?

One of the best is 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque. It vividly depicts the horror and futility of war from the perspective of a young German soldier. Another great one is 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks, which weaves together a love story with the brutal reality of the trenches. And 'Regeneration' by Pat Barker is also highly recommended as it delves into the psychological impact of the war on soldiers.

'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr is also excellent. It weaves together the stories of a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths cross during the war. The book beautifully describes the war - torn landscapes and the inner lives of the characters, with its vivid imagery and engaging plot.

One great non - WW2 historical fiction book is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It is set in a 14th - century Italian monastery and combines mystery, theology, and historical details. Another is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, which offers a vivid portrayal of the court of Henry VIII. 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is also excellent. It tells the story of the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, full of complex characters and medieval life details.

One of the best is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's a powerful story told from the perspective of Death, set in Nazi Germany. It follows a young girl, Liesel, who steals books and finds solace in them during the chaos of the war. Another great one is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It weaves together the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy during the war, with beautiful prose and a moving plot. And 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut is also highly regarded. It has a unique narrative style as it follows the experiences of Billy Pilgrim through different times, including his time as a prisoner of war in Dresden during WWII.

One of the highly rated ones is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It tells a story from the perspective of Death during WWII and follows a young girl in Germany who steals books. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr, which weaves together the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy during the war. 'Schindler's Ark' by Thomas Keneally is also great. It's based on the true story of Oskar Schindler who saved many Jews during the Holocaust.

'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah is a great read. It focuses on two sisters in France during the occupation. One sister is involved in the resistance, and the other is trying to survive in a more traditional way. It shows the different ways women could contribute during the war.

One of the top ones is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It tells a powerful story about a young girl in Nazi Germany. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr, which beautifully weaves together the lives of a blind French girl and a German boy during the war. 'Schindler's Ark' by Thomas Keneally is also highly regarded as it details the true story of Oskar Schindler saving Jews during the Holocaust in a fictionalized account.

Often, they have a strong sense of place. For example, books set in Nazi - occupied Paris like 'The Nightingale' vividly describe the city under the yoke of the enemy. They also deal with themes of heroism and survival. Characters in these books, such as Oskar Schindler in 'Schindler's Ark', show great courage in the face of extreme danger. And they usually show the impact of the war on ordinary people, like how families were torn apart or how civilians coped with shortages and fear.

They often focus on the personal experiences of individuals during the war. For example, they might show how a soldier coped with the fear and brutality in the trenches. Another characteristic is that they usually include accurate historical details, like the weapons used, the battle strategies, and the political situation at that time.

One of the best WW2 historical fiction audiobooks is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. It beautifully weaves the stories of a blind French girl and a German boy during the war. The narration in the audiobook really brings the characters to life. Another great one is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's narrated from the perspective of Death and tells a heart - wrenching story of a girl in Nazi Germany who steals books. 'Code Name Verity' is also highly recommended. It's a story of female friendship in the context of WW2 and has a very engaging plot that unfolds through the audiobook.