Best WWII Biographies Books of 2025

Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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These WWII biographies books offer a unique insight into the lives and experiences of individuals during one of the darkest periods of human history. From soldiers and spies to resistance fighters and Holocaust survivors, these books provide a detailed account of the challenges and triumphs faced by ordinary people caught up in the chaos of war. Readers will be inspired by the courage and resilience of these individuals, and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of WWII on the world. These books are a must-read for anyone interested in history or looking for inspiration in the face of adversity.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

#TOP 1
The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom
ftb score rating icon9.8
#TOP 2
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
ftb score rating icon9.7
#TOP 3
The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill
ftb score rating icon9.5

Top 10 WWII Biographies Books

#TOP 1

The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom

Loftis, Larry
Mar 7, 2023
The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom
ftb score rating icon9.8
FTB Score

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.

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History

Art Spiegelman
Art Spiegelman
Pantheon
Aug 12, 1986
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
ftb score rating icon9.7
FTB Score

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 Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill

Meltzer, Brad
Mensch, Josh
Jan 10, 2023
The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill
ftb score rating icon9.5
FTB Score

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.

George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy

Smith, Sally Bedell
Apr 4, 2023
George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy
ftb score rating icon9.3
FTB Score

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.

#TOP 5

The Dirty Tricks Department: Stanley Lovell, the OSS, and the Masterminds of World War II Secret Warfare

Lisle, John
Mar 7, 2023
The Dirty Tricks Department: Stanley Lovell, the OSS, and the Masterminds of World War II Secret Warfare
ftb score rating icon9.2
FTB Score

The Dirty Tricks Department is a thrilling account of the untold story of the OSS Research and Development Branch, which played a crucial role in World War II. John Lisle delves into the dark legacy of the group of scientists who developed dirty tricks for the OSS, including bat bombs, suicide pills, and assassination plots. The book explores the moral dilemmas they faced and their direct influence on the infamous MKULTRA program. Overall, Lisle provides a fascinating and vividly told tale of sabotage, invention, and deviousness that will keep readers captivated till the end.

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

Larson, Erik
Crown
Feb 15, 2022
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
ftb score rating icon9.2
FTB Score

The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson is a captivating chronicle of Winston Churchill's leadership during London's Blitz in World War II. Larson's extensive research, including diaries and once-secret intelligence reports, provides a new perspective on Churchill's personal and political life. The book highlights Churchill's ability to teach the British people "the art of being fearless" and his unwavering determination to hold his country together. The intimate domestic drama set against the backdrop of Churchill's prime-ministerial country home and wartime retreat adds depth to the story. Overall, The Splendid and the Vile is a masterful portrayal of Churchill's courage and leadership during one of the darkest times in British history.

Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began (Pantheon Graphic Library)

Spiegelman, Art
Pantheon
Sep 1, 1992
Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began (Pantheon Graphic Library)
ftb score rating icon9.2
FTB Score

Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began is the second installment of Art Spiegelman's graphic novel that retells his father's experiences during the Holocaust. The book is a haunting and unforgettable story of survival and a disarming look at the legacy of trauma. The author weaves his own account of his tortured relationship with his aging father into an astonishing retelling of one of history's most unspeakable tragedies. Maus is a masterpiece that will captivate readers with its language, characters, and mesmerizing rhythm. It is a book that everyone should read to better understand the horrors of the Holocaust and its impact on generations.

E. B. Sledge
Random House Publishing Group
May 1, 2007
With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa
ftb score rating icon9.1
FTB Score

"With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa" is Eugene B. Sledge's first-person account of fighting in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Based on notes he secretly kept in a copy of the New Testament, Sledge's memoir captures the brutal reality of war, including the terror, camaraderie, and banality of combat. The book is a profound primer on what it was like to be in the worst war ever. Sledge's honest and realistic portrayal of his experience makes this a classic that will outlive all the armchair generals' safe accounts. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in WWII history.

The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor

Jaku, Eddie
May 4, 2021
The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor
ftb score rating icon8.9
FTB Score

The Happiest Man on Earth is a memoir by Eddie Jaku, a Holocaust survivor who shares his story of courage, resilience, kindness, and love. Despite unimaginable horrors in Buchenwald, Auschwitz, and a forced death march, Eddie found the will to survive and made a promise to smile every day in thanks for the precious gift he was given and to honor the six million Jews murdered by Hitler. Today, at 100 years of age, Eddie calls himself the “happiest man on earth.” The book is a beautifully told, poignant story that offers timeless lessons for readers of all ages.

Three Ordinary Girls: The Remarkable Story of Three Dutch Teenagers Who Became Spies, Saboteurs, Nazi Assassins--and WWII Heroes

Brady, Tim
Citadel
Feb 23, 2021
Three Ordinary Girls: The Remarkable Story of Three Dutch Teenagers Who Became Spies, Saboteurs, Nazi Assassins--and WWII Heroes
ftb score rating icon8.8
FTB Score

The book "Three Ordinary Girls" by Tim Brady tells the incredible true story of three young Dutch women who became spies, saboteurs, Nazi assassins, and heroes during World War II. Hannie Schaft and sisters Truus and Freddie Oversteegen were teenagers when they joined a small resistance cell in Haarlem, Netherlands. They risked their lives to shelter Jews, dissidents, and resisters, sabotaged Nazi targets, and carried out assassinations. The book sheds light on their little-known perspective of the Dutch resistance and their unwavering dedication to their cause. This harrowing and unforgettable book is a must-read for anyone interested in women's biographies and World War II history.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What books did soldiers read in WW2?

This program, called the Armed Services Editions, distributed over 122 million books to soldiers and sailors between 1943 and 1947. More than 1,300 different titles were printed, including classics, bestsellers, westerns, mysteries, sports, and many other types of fiction and nonfiction.

2. Can you still find WW2 bodies?

Since 2015, the remains of 272 service members who died on Tarawa have been found, with more than 100 identifications made using dental records, DNA evidence and dog tags. Mark Noah, president of History Flight, estimates there to be another 270 bodies yet to be discovered.

Editor's Notes

During our wwii biographies book research, we found 1,200+ wwii biographies book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 207,972 customer reviews through our big data system to write the wwii biographies books list. We found that most customers choose wwii biographies books with an average price of $17.87.

Written by

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.