“Warfare is a series of tragedies enjoined by logistics.”
From the dawn of civilization, conflicts and wars have consistently dominated our history, shaping our world through territorial disputes, resource struggles, and clashes of ideologies. Evolving with new technologies and strategies, this facet of human experience has left an indelible mark. As new information and perspectives continue to emerge, our understanding of historical conflicts undergoes constant transformation. Join us at What We Reading as we reflect on the best military history books from 2023, delving into the ever-evolving narrative of our shared past.
Conflict: The Evolution Of Warfare From 1945 To Ukraine – David H. Petraeus And Andrew Roberts
First up on our list of the best military history books from 2023 comes from David Petraeus and Andrew Roberts, an outstanding battlefield strategist and renowned historian. Conflict is a collaboration between the pair, sweeping through the history and evolution of warfare across the globe.
Leaning on over seventy years worth of history, the pair combine their distinct expertise to expose how crucial errors have been repeated time and time, how armies have dealt with expanding technologies and weapons, and the issues faced by world leaders and generals alike. Filled with sharp insights and analysis, the pair cover the Arab-Israeli wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the two Gulf Wars, the Balkan wars in the former Yugoslavia, and both the Soviet and Coalition wars in Afghanistan, as well as guerilla conflicts in Africa and South America, finally closing on Vladimir Putin’s disastrous invasion of Ukraine.
Women In Intelligence: The Hidden History Of Two World Wars – Helen Fry
Throughout the twentieth century, women played a variety of crucial roles in intelligence, engaging in covert operations, running spy networks and escape lines, parachuting behind enemy territory, and interrogating prisoners. In her panoramic work from 2023, Helen Fry unveils the extraordinary individuals who contributed to these endeavours.
From knitting coded messages into jumpers to intercepting and interpreting aerial imagery, Fry illustrates the pivotal role women played in the intelligence mission. Filled to the brim with unknown and scarcely believable stories from across history, Women in Intelligence stands as one of the best military history books, paying homage to the remarkable contributions of these women.
Great-Uncle Harry: A Tale Of War And Empire – Michael Palin
Michael Palin’s exploration of his great-uncle Harry’s life began when the legendary comedian and actor learned of his grandfather’s brother’s tragic death. Determined to uncover the truth, Palin embarked on a quest that involved hundreds of hours of painstaking detective work, resulting in the compelling blend of memoir, travelogue, and history found in his 2023 book, Great-Uncle Harry.
Throughout the book, Palin delves into every piece of family correspondence and gossip, studies official documents, and traces his great-uncle’s life through remaining diaries and letters. He pours over photographs of the First World War’s most devastating battles to determine if Uncle Harry was present and walks along the same route in France that he did on his fateful final day. Great-Uncle Harry is a stunning biography of an ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life during one of the most turbulent and significant periods in history.
The Savage Storm: The Battle For Italy 1943 – James Holland
Acclaimed historian James Holland breathes life into the controversies surrounding the Allied invasion of Italy during the Second World War in The Savage Storm, offering readers one of the best military history books of 2023 and setting a new standard for war writing.
Commencing with the dramatic opening weeks and months of the campaign, Holland recounts how Allied expectations for the Italian invasion were initially high. With striking detail from the perspectives of the Allies, Axis, and civilians, he exposes how the anticipated quick victory transformed into one of the most protracted and challenging battles of the entire war. Holland traces the battles experienced across plains, over mountains, through shattered cities and settlements, enduring unbearable heat, and, finally, facing frigid cold and relentless rain. Weaving a wealth of first-hand accounts, diaries, and letters, The Savage Storm stands out as a remarkable book on World War II.
Victory To Defeat: The British Army 1918-40 – Richard Dannatt And Robert Lyman
In their 2023 history book, Victory to Defeat, authors Richard Dannatt and Robert Lyman present an analytical and comprehensive history of the British army. They delve into how a force that claimed victory in 1918 transformed into an entirely different entity by 1940, experiencing devastating defeats in Norway and France.
Offering an enthralling new perspective, the authors illuminate the impact of mismanagement and years of neglect on a once war-winning army, providing a stark warning about the current state of the British forces. As the British army is now at its smallest size since 1714, Dannatt and Lyman contemplate potential future threats and whether mistakes from the past may be repeated.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
