Best War & Peace Books of 2025

HOMER: The Iliad & the Odyssey (Deluxe Hardbound Edition) is an exquisitely designed hardbound edition featuring Samuel Butler’s translations of the two Homeric epics. The oldest extant works of Western literature, The Iliad and The Odyssey, are an important part of the Greek culture. This deluxe edition comes with a ribbon bookmark, gilded edges, and beautiful endpapers, making it an ideal addition to any library. Homer is revered as one of the greatest of the ancient Greek epic poets in the Western classical tradition, and this edition is a must-have for any literature lover.

The Best Strangers in the World is a memoir-in-essays that takes readers around the globe to reveal the stories behind narratives that are sometimes heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, but always poignant. Ari Shapiro, the beloved host of NPR's All Things Considered, details his time traveling on Air Force One with President Obama, following the path of Syrian refugees fleeing war, and learning from those fighting for social justice both at home and abroad. This book is a testament to one journalist's passion for Considering All Things—and sharing what he finds with the rest of us. Overall, it is a witty, poignant, and insightful read that highlights the importance of listening and connecting with others.

The Greatest Speeches of Donald J. Trump is a compilation of the 45th President's most important speeches and words to the nation. Edited by Craig Shirley, a presidential historian and bestselling author, the book includes historical photographs throughout and an introduction by Shirley himself. From Trump's campaign announcement to his farewell address, this collection offers insight into the former President's leadership style and vision for America. Whether you're a Trump supporter or not, this book is a valuable resource for those interested in American politics and history.

Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community is a spiritual guide that reflects on the prayer practices of Northern Ireland's Corrymeela Community, a peace and reconciliation organization that has been uniting divided communities for over half a century. The book offers a 31-day structure that includes daily Bible readings and prayers by Pádraig Ó Tuama, as well as an introduction to the organization's unique spirituality. This prayer book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to incorporate the Corrymeela community's spiritual practices into their daily prayer routine. Overall, Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community is an exceptional Christian prayer book that will inspire readers to embrace peace and reconciliation in their own lives.

A Peace to End All Peace is a classic, bestselling account of how the modern Middle East was created. David Fromkin reveals how and why the Allies drew lines on an empty map that remade the geography and politics of the Middle East, leading to the conflicts and confusion that continue to this day. Fromkin's book is extraordinarily ambitious, provocative, and vividly written, offering a useful way to think about past events. This edition includes an updated assessment of the region today. Highly recommended for those interested in understanding the history of the Middle East.

Judging Iran: A Memoir of The Hague, The White House, and Life on the Front Line of International Justice is a captivating legal memoir written by Charles N. Brower. In this book, Brower shares his personal history of a life spent at the forefront of international justice and makes a strong case for the role of law in preserving global peace. The book takes readers on a tour of his extraordinary career, from Cold War Europe to his work at The Hague and as an advisor to President Ronald Reagan. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in international law and justice.

The 40th-anniversary edition of "Born on the Fourth of July" is a classic and timeless Vietnam War memoir written by Ron Kovic. The book follows Kovic's journey from being a patriotic American inspired by John F. Kennedy to his traumatic wartime injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down. It also details his transition from being a fierce, pro-war patriot to an outspoken peace activist after returning home to a cold reception. With a foreword by Bruce Springsteen, this book is a powerful and moving memoir that readers won't want to miss.

The One State Reality is a thought-provoking book that challenges the traditional two-state solution for Israel/Palestine conflict. The book argues that a one state reality already exists and reshapes how we view the conflict. The book encourages different readings of history and shifts conversation about solutions from two states to alternatives that borrow from other political contexts. The One State Reality is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the current impasse in the conflict and the likelihood of progress toward peace in the future.

War Is a Racket is a powerful book that reveals the truths about the commercial benefits of warfare. The author, US Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler, was one of the most decorated soldiers in the country, but his bravery extended beyond the battlefield. In this book, he speaks out against the business interests that profit from war, a message that still resonates today. With insightful introductions from Jesse Ventura and David Talbot, and an afterword from activist Cindy Sheehan, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the state of our country and the world. SKYHORSE has done an excellent job of republishing this classic antiwar book.

"Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor" by Yossi Klein Halevi is a powerful attempt to bridge the gap between Israelis and Palestinians. The book contains a series of letters in which the author empathizes with Palestinian suffering and explores how the conflict looks through Israeli eyes. Halevi uses history and personal experience to unravel the complex strands of faith, pride, anger, and anguish he feels as a Jew living in Israel. What makes this book unique is that it is the first attempt by an Israeli author to directly address his Palestinian neighbors. Overall, this is a profound and original book that offers a new perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.