War

The novel is set during World War II, from 1942 to 1944. It mainly follows the life of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier. Most of the events in the book occur while the fictional 256th Squadron is based on the island of Pianosa, in the Mediterranean Sea, west of Italy. The novel looks into the experiences of Yossarian and the other airmen in the camp, who attempt to maintain their sanity while fulfilling their service requirements so that they may return home.

Recommended for readers interested in exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and friendship set against the backdrop of Afghanistan's tumultuous history. Hosseini's vivid storytelling style, compelling characters, and insightful commentary on human nature make this a must-read for lovers of literary fiction.

For seven-year-old Raami, the shattering end of childhood begins with the footsteps of her father returning home in the early dawn hours bringing details of the civil war that has overwhelmed the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. Soon the family’s world of carefully guarded royal privilege is swept up in the chaos of revolution and forced exodus. Over the next four years, Raami clings to the only remaining vestige of her childhood—the mythical legends and poems told to her by her father—and fights for her improbable survival. Displaying the author’s extraordinary gift for language, In the Shadow of the Banyan is a brilliantly wrought tale of hope and transcendence.

If you've ever found yourself desensitized to the graphic images on the news or in documentaries, "Regarding the Pain of Others" might offer you a new perspective. Susan Sontag dives deep into the ethics and impact of looking at others' suffering. It's a short, yet powerful exploration that will provoke thought about your own level of empathy and your response to media portrayals of tragedy and horror.

Americans call the Second World War “The Good War.” But before it even began, America’s wartime ally Josef Stalin had killed millions of his own citizens—and kept killing them during and after the war. Before Hitler was finally defeated, he had murdered six million Jews and nearly as many other Europeans. At war’s end, both the German and the Soviet killing sites fell behind the iron curtain, leaving the history of mass killing in darkness.Bloodlands is a new kind of European history, presenting the mass murders committed by the Nazi and Stalinist regimes as two aspects of a single history, in the time and place where they occurred: between Germany and Russia, when Hitler and Stalin both held power. Assiduously researched, deeply humane, and utterly definitive, Bloodlands will be required reading for anyone seeking to understand the central tragedy of modern history.From BooklistIf there is an explanation for the political killing perpetrated in eastern Europe in the 1930s and 1940s, historian Snyder roots it in agriculture. Stalin wanted to collectivize farmers; Hitler wanted to eliminate them so Germans could colonize the land. The dictators wielded frightening power to advance such fantasies toward reality, and the despots toted up about 14 million corpses between them, so stupefying a figure that Snyder sets himself three goals here: to break down the number into the various actions of murder that comprise it, from liquidation of the kulaks to the final solution; to restore humanity to the victims via surviving testimony to their fates; and to deny Hitler and Stalin any historical justification for their policies, which at the time had legions of supporters and have some even today. Such scope may render Snyder’s project too imposing to casual readers, but it would engage those exposed to the period’s chronology and major interpretive issues, such as the extent to which the Nazi and Soviet systems may be compared. Solid and judicious scholarship for large WWII collections.

A brilliant debut novel that brings to life an abandoned hospital where a tough-minded doctor decides to harbor a hunted young girl, with powerful consequences.In the final days of December 2004, in a small rural village in Chechnya, eight-year-old Havaa hides in the woods when her father is abducted by Russian forces. Fearing for her life, she flees with their neighbor Akhmed—a failed physician—to the bombed-out hospital, where Sonja, the one remaining doctor, treats a steady stream of wounded rebels and refugees and mourns her missing sister. Over the course of five dramatic days, Akhmed and Sonja reach back into their pasts to unravel the intricate mystery of coincidence, betrayal, and forgiveness that unexpectedly binds them and decides their fate.With The English Patient's dramatic sweep and The Tiger's Wife's expert sense of place, Marra gives us a searing debut about the transcendent power of love in wartime, and how it can cause us to become greater than we ever thought possible.

"Obasan" will immerse you in a rarely spoken chapter of Canadian history, with prose that's both beautiful and haunting. Joy Kogawa doesn't just tell you a story; she lets you feel the emotional landscape of her characters. If you're drawn to historical tales and appreciate the power of silence as much as spoken word, this book will resonate with you long after you've turned the last page.

If history and personal triumphs move you, "The Hundred-Year Walk" could be a profound experience. It's a window into the Armenian Genocide from the perspective of one who lived through it. The fact that the story is real adds a layer of intensity and emotional complexity that makes it more than just a history lesson; it's a lesson in resilience and the human spirit's capacity to endure.

If you're drawn to pivotal moments in history, "Ten Days That Shook the World" is a compelling read. Reed's vivid portrayal puts you right in the heart of the action, offering an unparalleled glimpse of the Russian Revolution through the eyes of an impassioned observer. It's a classic that's as informative as it is thrilling, bringing a significant episode of the 20th century to life.

This book could be a good read for you if you enjoy thought-provoking stories that delve into the depths of human emotions. Through the haunting exploration of loss and memory, the author takes you on a journey that intertwines past and present, leaving you with a profound understanding of the complexities of life. Ishiguro's ability to seamlessly blend different time periods and evoke a sense of unease makes this a captivating read that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

In the brief golden years of King Edward VII’s reign, Rosie McCosh and her three sisters are growing up in an idyllic and eccentric household in Kent, with their ‘pals’ the Pitt boys on one side of the fence and the Pendennis boys on the other. But their days of childhood innocence and adventure are destined to be followed by the apocalypse that will overwhelm their world as they come to adulthood.For Rosie, the path ahead is full of challenges: torn between her love for two young men, her sense of duty and her will to live her life to the full, she has to navigate her way through extraordinary times. Can she, and her sisters, build new lives out of the opportunities and devastations that follow the Great War?Louis de Bernières’ magnificent and moving novel follows the lives of an unforgettable cast of characters as the Edwardian age disintegrates into the Great War, and they strike out to seek what happiness can be salvaged from the ruins of the old world.

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Black Flags, the harrowing true story of the mission to find and destroy Syria's chemical weapons and defeat ISIS - only to lose control of both.'Presents [the story] sharply and compellingly' Washington Post'Excellent' IndependentIn August 2012, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was clinging to power in a vicious civil war. Concerned that Assad might resort to chemical weapons, the international community warned that any such use would cross "a red line", warranting a military response. When a year later Assad bombed the Damascus suburb of Ghouta with sarin gas, killing hundreds, global leaders were torn between living up to their word and becoming mired in another unpopular Middle Eastern war. So when Russia offered to store Syria's chemical weapons, the world leaped at the solution.So begins a race to find, remove, and destroy 1,300 tons of chemical weapons in the middle of Syria's civil war. Told in harrowing detail, the initial effort is a tactical triumph for the West, but soon Russia's long game becomes it has UN cover to assist Assad's regime. Meanwhile, the territory gains of ISIS further destabilise the country, and the terrorist organisation seeks to secure Syria's chemical arsenals for itself, with horrifying consequences.Red Line is a classic Joby Warrick true-life a character-driven narrative with a cast of heroes and villains, including weapons hunters, politicians, commandos, diplomats, and spies. Through original reporting and eyewitness accounts from direct participants, Joby Warrick reveals how a well-intentioned effort to save Syrian lives became swept up in a calamitous chain of events that would spawn a terrorist movement, unleash torrents of refugees, frustrate two U.S. presidents and empower the Western alliance's most dangerous foes.

This book is not recommended due to its deeply hateful and harmful content. We do not condone the promotion of Nazi ideology or hate speech.

The Spy could be a good read for history enthusiasts who enjoy true stories of strong, independent women. Mata Hari's courage and charm makes for a compelling narrative, though the outcome is already known. Coelho's writing style gives an emotional depth to the human behind the sensationalized persona.

"Death in Venice and Other Stories" could captivate you with its rich prose and profound themes. Thomas Mann crafts a narrative that's as much about the internal struggles of the protagonist as it is about the external environment of a decaying Venice. It's an artistic reflection on desire and mortality, bound to leave a lasting impression on anyone intrigued by the complexities of the human heart.

Winter in Madrid is an excellent read for anyone who loves historical fiction and spy novels. Set in post-Spanish Civil War Spain, this book provides a unique perspective on espionage and political turmoil in a country that is trying to rebuild itself. The main character, Harry Brett, a veteran of Dunkirk, is a relatable character who struggles with PTSD and the weight of his new role as a spy. The book is well researched and delivers an authentic portrayal of the period with vivid descriptions of Madrid and its residents. Overall, Winter in Madrid is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will keep you engrossed until the very end.