Best World War II History Books of 2025

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is a powerful and moving account of a young Jewish girl's life during the Nazi occupation of Holland. Anne and her family lived in hiding for two years, until they were betrayed and captured by the Gestapo. Through her diary, Anne offers a unique perspective on the horrors of war, human courage, and the frailty of the human spirit. The new edition of the book reveals even more depth to Anne's dreams, hardships, and passions. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, women's biographies, and human resilience.

The Watchmaker's Daughter by Larry Loftis is a compelling biography of Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker who saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II by turning her family's house into a hiding place for refugees. Despite losing most of her family and being sent to a concentration camp, Corrie managed to survive, forgive her captors and live the rest of her life as a Christian missionary. The book is a remarkable journey of faith and forgiveness, and it holds myriad lessons for readers today. This book is highly recommended for those interested in women's biographies and World War II nonfiction.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom is a riveting account of a Dutch watchmaker who became a Resistance heroine, a survivor of Hitler's concentration camps, and one of the most remarkable evangelists of the twentieth century. In World War II, Corrie and her family risked their lives to help Jews and underground workers escape from the Nazis, and for their work, they were tested in the infamous Nazi death camps. The book is a classic that continues to declare that God's love will overcome, heal, and restore. It is a must-read for those seeking inspiration and courage in the face of adversity.

The graphic novel "Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History" by Art Spiegelman is a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that tells the story of the author's father's experiences during the Holocaust. The Jews are portrayed as mice, while the Nazis are depicted as menacing cats. The book weaves the author's relationship with his father into an unforgettable tale of survival and the lasting legacy of trauma. It is a haunting and disarming look at one of history's most unspeakable tragedies. The unusual comic-book format and skillful graphics make it an engaging read for young adults and a must-read for everyone.

The book "George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy" by Sally Bedell Smith is a deeply researched and revealing account of the love story of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, who saved the monarchy during World War II and raised their daughter, Princess Elizabeth to become Queen Elizabeth II. This book is based on exclusive access to the Royal Archives and papers of their close friends and family. Sally Bedell Smith brings the iconic royal couple's love story to vibrant life and shows how their loving and devoted marriage helped them meet the challenges of World War II, lead a nation, solidify the public's faith in the monarchy, and raise their daughters. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the British monarchy and its history.

To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945 is a brilliant and riveting final volume in John McManus’s extraordinary trilogy on the war in the Pacific. The book provides a wealth of important new detail on the campaign, painting vivid portraits of generals and foot soldiers alike. Readers will walk in the boots of American soldiers and officers, braving intense heat, rampant disease, and a by-now suicidal enemy, determined to kill as many opponents as possible before defeat. McManus is one of the best World War II historians working today, and this book is a triumphant and compelling conclusion to his magisterial series.

Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America is a gripping study of the white power movement in America. Based on previously classified FBI files and extensive interviews, the book tells the story of American paramilitarism and the birth of the alt-right. The author argues that the movement emerged as a radical reaction to the Vietnam War, and it operated with discipline, made tragic headlines in Waco, Ruby Ridge, and Oklahoma City, and is resurgent under President Trump. This book is a much-needed and troubling revelation that sheds light on the history of white-racist violence in America.

The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch is a gripping WWII biography that unveils the little-known true story of a Nazi plot to assassinate FDR, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill during their meeting in Tehran. The book is filled with daring rescues, body doubles, and political intrigue that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The authors' mastery of storytelling and attention to detail make this book a page-turner that reads like a thriller. Overall, The Nazi Conspiracy is a fascinating account of a pivotal moment in history that almost led to a world-shattering disaster.

The Windsors at War: The King, His Brother, and a Family Divided by Alexander Larman is a fascinating biographical chronicle of the Windsor family during World War II. The book delves into the family's conflicted relationships, their struggles with the abdication of King Edward VIII, and their role in the war effort. Larman's research is impeccable, and his narrative is fast-paced and engaging. The book highlights the dynamics between the two royal brothers and their duty and betrayal. Overall, The Windsors at War is a must-read for anyone interested in the British monarchy during World War II.

The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 by Christopher Clark is a detailed account of the complex events and relationships that led to World War I. The author's minute-by-minute, action-packed narrative focuses on the key decision centers in Vienna, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Paris, London, and Belgrade, and examines the mutual misunderstandings and unintended signals that drove the crisis forward in a few short weeks. The book is a dramatic and authoritative chronicle of Europe's descent into a war that tore the world apart, and it deserves to become the new standard one-volume account of that contentious subject.