The Healing Power of Literature
Transitioning from military life to civilian life often comes with emotional, psychological, and personal challenges that are difficult to express—let alone navigate. While therapy, support groups, and community connections are vital, another powerful yet often overlooked resource for veterans is literature. At Warriors Fund, we understand the importance of emotional wellness and personal growth. For many veterans, books offer more than entertainment—they become tools for reflection, comfort, and healing.
How Reading Supports Mental Health
Reading can provide a sense of calm, perspective, and mental stimulation that supports a healthy post-service life. According to the National Institutes of Health, bibliotherapy—using books as therapeutic resources—has shown promise in helping individuals process trauma, manage stress, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. This is particularly significant for veterans, many of whom face invisible wounds such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), survivor’s guilt, and moral injury.
Literature gives voice to experiences that are often difficult to explain. Whether through fiction, memoirs, or poetry, veterans can find validation, meaning, and community in the stories of others who’ve walked a similar path. In fact, the Department of Veterans Affairs has begun integrating creative expression into its Whole Health approach, acknowledging the healing potential of reading and writing.
What Makes a Book "Veteran-Friendly"?
There are two kinds of impactful reads for veterans: those that are veteran-focused, and those that are veteran-friendly.
Some books provide an emotional mirror, while others offer fresh perspectives and personal growth. Both types deserve a place on every veteran’s reading list.
1. Redeployment by Phil Klay
A powerful collection of short stories from a former Marine, Redeployment captures the emotional weight of modern warfare from multiple perspectives. Each story reveals a different facet of military life—its complexities, contradictions, and raw humanity. The book was awarded the National Book Award for Fiction and is frequently cited by the Department of Veterans Affairs for authentically capturing the modern combat experience. For many veterans, Klay’s words serve as a mirror reflecting truths that are rarely discussed outside the military community.
2. Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger
Junger examines why so many veterans struggle after returning home—not because of what they’ve experienced in war, but because of what they return to: disconnection, isolation, and a lack of shared purpose. Tribe explores the concept of community, drawing comparisons between military units and tribal societies. Junger’s insight into psychological resilience and belonging has made this book a meaningful recommendation in VA Whole Health programs that focus on mind-body reintegration.
3. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Part memoir, part fiction, this classic of American literature dives deep into the emotional truths of Vietnam through interconnected stories. O’Brien’s writing is haunting, poetic, and deeply reflective, giving voice to the inner lives of soldiers long after the shooting stops. Frequently included in university reading lists and veteran storytelling workshops, this book helps readers process the burden of memory, loss, and identity.
4. Here, Bullet by Brian Turner
This acclaimed collection of poetry was written by a former infantry team leader in Iraq. Turner’s words capture the sensory experiences of war—its silence, violence, and aftermath—in a lyrical, often devastating form. His poems have been preserved in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project as a literary testament to modern conflict. For veterans seeking a form of expression that goes beyond prose, Here, Bullet is a deeply resonant experience.
5. Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
A novel decades in the making, Matterhorn chronicles a young Marine lieutenant’s experience in Vietnam with uncompromising realism and depth. Marlantes, a decorated Marine himself, delivers a gritty portrayal of war’s physical and moral complexities. This book has been included in Department of Defense recommended reading for its honest take on leadership, sacrifice, and survival in combat. For veterans who served in any era, its themes remain timeless.
6. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Written during the final months of his life, neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi’s memoir is a reflection on mortality, purpose, and what it means to live meaningfully. Though not written by a veteran, the themes of resilience, service, and facing the unknown resonate strongly with those who have worn the uniform. This deeply personal narrative is often recommended in VA mental health resources for its candid look at navigating personal identity in the face of loss.
7. Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven
Based on his viral commencement speech at the University of Texas, Admiral McRaven’s Make Your Bed offers ten straightforward lessons in discipline, perseverance, and leadership. As a Navy SEAL and former Commander of U.S. Special Operations, McRaven delivers insights with clarity and practicality. His book has become a favorite among veterans and civilians alike for its simple, motivational tone and relevance to everyday challenges.
8. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
A Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl explores how finding meaning—even in the most unimaginable suffering—can be a lifeline. This book is widely cited in therapeutic literature, including by VA clinicians who support veterans through grief, trauma, and reintegration. Its enduring message: you may not control your circumstances, but you can control your response.
9. On Killing by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
This intense psychological exploration breaks down the mental and emotional toll of killing in combat, and why this burden is so difficult for society—and sometimes veterans themselves—to understand. Lt. Col. Grossman’s work is used in both military training and post-service counseling. Veterans grappling with moral injury often find this book offers a framework for understanding experiences that are rarely addressed in public discourse.
10. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
At first glance, this may seem an unlikely addition to a veteran reading list. But Born to Run is more than a book about ultra-running—it’s a story about pushing limits, rediscovering joy, and reconnecting with the body and mind. Many veterans turn to physical challenges as part of their post-service healing, and McDougall’s storytelling is a compelling reminder of what the human spirit is capable of when driven by curiosity rather than fear.
Final Thoughts: Books as a Bridge to Healing
For veterans navigating the winding path of reintegration, books offer far more than information—they offer companionship, clarity, and even catharsis. Whether you're drawn to military memoirs, lyrical poetry, or philosophical reflections, literature can provide a mirror to your past and a map to your future.
At Warriors Fund, we believe healing takes many forms—and sometimes, one of the most powerful tools is simply turning the page. These books won’t solve every challenge, but they can spark conversations, build understanding, and help veterans feel seen. Because no veteran should feel alone in their journey.
