The top 11 most popular WW1 books ever written – No. 1 is a must-read | Books | Entertainment

World War I has inspired an extraordinary range of fiction and non-fiction, capturing the devastation, resilience, and shifting societal landscapes of the early 20th century.

Ranked by the number of Goodreads ratings – a strong indicator of global readership and popularity – this list reveals the 11 most widely read and beloved World War I books ever published.

Whether you’re a history buff or simply looking for a gripping read, these titles have captivated millions and still define how we remember the Great War.

11 – Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear

Ratings: 49,984

The second entry in the Maisie Dobbs mystery series, Birds of a Feather picks up in early 1930s London, but the shadow of the First World War looms large. Private investigator and former nurse Maisie Dobbs is hired to track down a missing heiress, only to uncover deeper layers of grief, trauma, and secrets rooted in wartime service and sacrifice.

Though set after the war, the novel explores the lingering psychological effects on its characters, making it a compelling postwar reflection. Winspear’s careful blend of mystery and emotional resonance struck a chord with readers, making Maisie Dobbs one of fiction’s most enduring heroines shaped by WWI.

10 – Lovely War by Julie Berry

Ratings: 65,663

A unique blend of historical romance and mythological framing, Lovely War tells the story of two couples whose love stories unfold during the First World War. What sets it apart is its narration – told by Greek gods like Aphrodite and Ares, who observe and interfere in mortal lives as the war rages.

Berry uses this creative device to explore themes of love, loss, race, and sacrifice. Readers praised the book for its originality and emotional depth, making it a standout YA novel that uses WWI as more than a backdrop – it becomes a means for young love and human courage.

9 – The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman

Ratings: 81,864

A Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, The Guns of August is perhaps the definitive non-fiction account of how the First World War began. Tuchman’s book details the diplomatic missteps and military strategies that led to the catastrophic conflict of 1914, all delivered in a narrative style that reads like a thriller.

Winston Churchill reportedly had it assigned to every American general during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and it’s still an essential piece for anyone interested in how global politics and human error collided to create one of history’s deadliest wars.

8 – Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks

Ratings: 82,328

Sweeping and devastating, Birdsong shiws the life of a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, before, during, and after the First World War. Known for its visceral depictions of trench warfare and its sad love story, Faulks’ novel captures the physical and emotional cost of war with tragic clarity.

Since its publication in 1993, it has become a staple of modern WWI fiction, often taught in schools and adapted for both stage and screen – due to its meticulous research and lyrical prose.

7 – Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Ratings: 94,013

In an alternate history version of WWI, Leviathan imagines a world split between “Clankers” (Central Powers using mechanized war machines) and “Darwinists” (Allies who rely on genetically engineered beasts). The story follows a young Austrian prince and a British girl disguised as a boy airman as their fates intertwine.

Blending steampunk with real history, Westerfeld’s young adult trilogy opener offers a wildly imaginative yet respectful take on the conflict. The novel has won praise for its creativity and accessibility, particularly among younger readers learning about the war through speculative fiction.

6 – Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

Ratings: 119,733

The first book in Winspear’s acclaimed series introduces Maisie Dobbs, a former WWI nurse turned private investigator. While technically set after the war, the trauma and societal changes it brought are central to both the character and the mystery she attempts to solve.

Maisie’s experiences on the front line, and the emotional damage carried by those she encounters, form the emotional core of the book.

5 – Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson

Ratings: 155,940

Focusing on the tragic sinking of the RMS Lusitania by a German U-boat in 1915, Dead Wake is a gripping non-fiction narrative that reads with the pace of a thriller. Larson reconstructs the final trip of the ill-fated ocean liner, intertwining personal stories with political and military strategy.

The sinking of the Lusitania played a significant role in turning American opinion against Germany, making it one of the war’s most consequential episodes. Larson’s ability to breathe life into historical figures and events helped shoot this book up to major commercial success and critical acclaim.

4 – Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Ratings: 338,994

The first in Follett’s epic Century Trilogy, Fall of Giants follows five interlinked families across Britain, Russia, Germany, and the United States during the tumultuous years of World War I. Combining romance, politics, and sweeping historical events, it’s a quintessential saga that introduces readers to the complex forces shaping the modern world.

Follett’s trademark ability to balance personal drama with global upheaval makes this novel both accessible and informative.

3 – A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Ratings: 341,774

Based in part on Hemingway’s own experiences as an ambulance driver in Italy during the war, A Farewell to Arms is a tragic love story between American lieutenant Frederic Henry and British nurse Catherine Barkley. The novel offers a look at the futility and brutality of war.

First published in 1929, it is one of the most powerful literary portrayalsof conflict, combining spare prose with devastating emotional impact. Hemingway’s realism and detachment helped define a generation’s view of war as senseless and soul-destroying.

2 – All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Ratings: 499,981

Still regarded as one of the most important anti-war novels ever written, All Quiet on the Western Front follows Paul Bäumer, a young German soldier, through the trauma and degradation of trench warfare. First published in 1928, it shocked readers with its raw portrayal of life at the front at the time.

Banned by the Nazis and burned in public, its reputation has only grown over the decades. It was adapted into two acclaimed films, including the Oscar-winning 2022 Netflix version. Remarque’s own service in WWI lends the book authenticity and enduring power.

1 – The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

Ratings: 582,967

Topping the list is The Alice Network, a dual-timeline novel following the true story of a female spy ring in World War I. Quinn weaves together the lives of two women – Eve Gardiner, a former spy still haunted by her past, and Charlie St. Clair, an American searching for her cousin after World War II.

With espionage, female friendship, and historical secrets at its core, the novel’s success lies in its gripping plot and richly drawn characters. Though the spy network it’s based on – the real-life Alice Network – was active during WWI, the book’s narrative stretches into the aftermath of WWII, giving readers a broader view of women’s roles in wartime resistance.