25 Must-Read Military Books to Ignite Your Warrior Spirit in 2025
Jeff Sabins
Bridging the Gap Between the Battlefield and the Boardroom | Leadership Lessons from Real War Stories | Follow the Warrior's Library Newsletter for Insights That Inspire Action
Last week, I set a goal to read 25 books in 2025. Let’s be honest—this number feels way too low, and I’ll probably blow past it without much trouble. But hey, goals are goals, and we’ll see how it plays out. One thing is certain, though: the core of this journey will be military-themed books—no exceptions. I’ll absolutely venture into other genres and appreciate the incredible worlds authors can create, but for The Warrior’s Library, we’re staying laser-focused on lessons forged through warriorship. With that said, here is my list of 25 books for The Warrior’s Library in 2025—each chosen to inspire, challenge, and deepen the warrior mindset.
Before we dive in, don’t forget to subscribe for free to The Warrior’s Library so you don’t miss out on these reviews and updates throughout 2025!
The Warrior’s Library: 25 Essential Military-Themed Books for 2025
1. The Warriors of Anbar: The Marines Who Crushed Al Qaeda--the Greatest Untold Story of the Iraq War
2. The Final Mission of Extortion 17: Special Ops, Helicopter Support, SEAL Team Six, and the Deadliest Day of the U.S. War in Afghanistan
3. Victory Point: Operations Red Wings and Whalers - the Marine Corps' Battle for Freedom in Afghanistan
4. Crisis of Command: How We Lost Trust and Confidence in America's Generals and Politicians
5. The Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Organizations Win on Talent
6. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
7. Hell in the Pacific: A Marine Rifleman's Journey from Guadalcanal to Peleliu
8. Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead
9. D-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II
10. We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines Who Took Fallujah
11. 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi
12. Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War
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13. Hell In A Very Small Place: The Siege Of Dien Bien Phu
14. Some Survived: An Eyewitness Account of the Bataan Death March and the Men Who Lived Through It
15. Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America and The New Face of American War
16. The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free
17. Echo in Ramadi: The Firsthand Story of US Marines in Iraq's Deadliest City
18. Tough Rugged Bastards: A Memoir of a Life in Marine Special Operations
19. Fallujah Memoirs: A Grunt's Eye View of the Second Battle of Fallujah
20. The Last Punisher: A SEAL Team THREE Sniper's True Account of the Battle of Ramadi
21. Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War
22. Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor
23. Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Against All Odds
24. Alone at Dawn
25. The Battle of Mogadishu: Firsthand Accounts from the Men of Task Force Ranger
So, there you have it—my list for The Warrior’s Library in 2025. I can’t wait to dive into each of these books, soak up the insights, lessons learned, and share them with all of you. This list is packed with talented writers sharing their hard-fought stories and invaluable wisdom.
That said, I agree—25 feels like a low bar for 2025. What books do you think I should add to the list? I already own most of these, only missing nine, so why not? Let’s order a few more and grow the library together. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Warrior’s Library and give me a follow as I continue bridging the gap between war stories and leadership success.
Currently touring the country via 18 wheels.
1 个月BTW- Tough Rugged Bastards was simply awesome to read.
Currently touring the country via 18 wheels.
1 个月Jeff- I was at a USMC reunion recently sleeping on cots outdoors in NC and busting each other’s chops like we did in the barracks long ago. I reached into my pack, found my shaving gear and started brushing my teeth with foot medicine!! It was dark and the container was similar to my toothpaste. I caught abuse for the rest of the day! A really great book and what started it all for me as a young boy growing up in New York is Guadalcanal Diary by Richard Tregaskis. I absolutely love reading books on American history but especially Marine Corps history. At the very least; if the Marine Corps was there, it was important!! Thanks for your list; I will get on it ASAP! S/F
Author, Performance Coach, SOF Veteran, Adventurer. I help people get better at getting better.
1 个月Great list, Jeff! I’ve read most of these, but have some catching up to do. I’m honored that Tough Rugged Bastards made the list!