Can't Get Enough Of WWII History? Take Your Spree To The Next Literary Level By Reading The Best World War Two Books

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We are all familiar with this story thanks to the movie, The Sound of Music, but this novel is the original which inspired the movie. Like Holding the Stirrup, this family experienced a change of life due to World War II.

In The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, Maria von Trapp herself shares the story of her romance with Captain von Trapp, his refusal to fight along side the Germans and the family's escape from Austria to make a new life in the New World.

This book takes off where the movie ends! Experience the family's hard times that Maria humorously makes light of.

Chuckle to yourself as you imagine the baron's children hiding from their American neighbors the fact that they do chores. And Maria's slightly ridiculous insistence that her American-born babies will be wrapped in as much lace as their European counterparts.

For this family, World War II opened for them an adventure which leads them to sharing with the States their patriotism through singing.

This book was published by Vintage Press in 1967. It tells the story of Peter Esterka who survives the rise of Communist influence with the pledge to "never say comrade", words that were synonymous with his unwillingness to exchange the faith of our fathers with the counterfeit atheist worker's "paradise" communism has to offer.

Peter's story takes place in Chekoslovakia in the late 1940s as the Communist party begins infiltrating the work places and academia of this unfortunate country.

As a historical drama this story recounts the true events in the life of Peter Esterka during WWII. It shows the reader how important it is to never compromise with evil. The heroic people who survived this era are examples to us on the importance of resisting evil ideologies during our own time. For this reason, now Bishop Esterka, shared his ordeal.

Peter Esterka is a young man in the beginning of the novel as the story follows his early high school years.

He encounters religious persecution, intimidation at the factory, and threats and punishment during his academic pursuits. He eventually finds himself in a prison camp for always following his conscience and never compromising with evil men who were constantly setting traps for him.

True to life and well written, the reader can't help but imagine how he'd react if presented with the same difficult threats and intimidation.

In fact, there are many heroes facing tyranny now, Norak Djokovi, the tennis player, and those brave the parents in New Zealand who requested their baby receive blood only from unvaccinated donors are only a few of today's heroes who come to mind. 

Never Say Comrade was filled with humor and suspense especially as it draws to a climatic close. It was one of the best World War Two books that really helps us understand the climate of the time and how in some way Communism was the greatest evil of the time though Russia masqueraded as an ally to the free people, the children of light. 

Helping those who read it keep hope and take courage during the persecutions that may come their way in life is the memory that lingers in this fast-paced novel.

One of the first World War 2 novels that I have ever read was in 4th grade: The Small War of Sergeant Donkey by Maureen Daly.

This charming story will surely entertain the young reader as they follow the young Italian boy (whose name has a fun ring) Chico Felippo as he dodges the dangers that beset Italy during 1945.

The story circles around Chico and his friendship with the American officer, Sergeant Missouri, and the injured American army pack donkey named Sergeant.

But, when Missouri gets hurt, it is up to Chico and Sergeant Donkey to brave the German line and save their friend.

The Singing Tree demonstrates how during times of war it is easy for families to be loving and caring to each other and to their friends. This novel takes this generosity to the next level by showing the Nagy family taking in even their enemies.

Like in The Winged Watchman, the Nagy family welcome all needy friends under their roof. They lovingly care for all of these friends during the war while husbands and fathers are away. But soon they are even welcoming a few people from the countries they are at war with, from German children to Russian soldiers.

After the war has been going on some time, there are so many Russian prisoners that the army cannot take care of them all. So there is a newspaper ad that asks for a few families that will help in the feeding of all the prisoners. So the Nagys, who are always ready to help, take the charge of six Russian prisoners. These Russians soon become very helpful on the farm. 

The Nagys later take in a few little German kids. These poor little children come starving for want of food. But they leave plump and happy. The Nagys are loving to all, no matter who they are at war with. The Singing Tree was engaging and the love demonstrated by the Nagy family is admirable.