Air Forces & Warfare

Airforce books are filled with action, adventure, incredible heroics, and cautionary reminders of what makes war humanity’s most horrific undertaking.

Military books share personal stories from everyday people’s time at war, as well as in-depth insights into the workings of equipment such as specific airplanes or weapons. For history buffs and those who love a gripping autobiography, Booktopia offers a huge range of air force books to choose from.

Must-read air force books
Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken is one of the most widely read and admired military books of recent years. It shares the story of Louis Zamperini, a promising runner who attended the Berlin Olympics. But when the war broke out, he became an Army air forces bomber, and his plane crashed into the ocean. The tale that follows is harrowing, inspiring, and an incredible story of perseverance and will.

A Wing and a Prayer offers readers an unputdownable story of ‘The Bloody 100th’, a bomb group of the US eighth air force working across Europe in World War II. Told from the perspective of the navigator, it chronicles their time in the war and how they became legends. In fact, the story of Harry H. Crosby has also been adapted into film with ‘Masters of the Air’ by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

Military Books from Australian authors
There’s no shortage of military literature from Australians, adding a uniquely local take to books on international and world wars.

RAAF Black Cats is the story of Reg Cleworth, an air force navigator flying out of Darwin who went missing in action in March 1945. Years later, his younger brother investigated further, uncovering a huge mine-laying operation dedicated to disrupting Japanese supply routes. It’s a tale that almost went untold, but can now be shared with the world to showcase the bravery of the Australian RAAF Catalina crews.

Buckham’s Bombers is another gripping true story of Australian heroics. It follows Bruce Buckham, captain of a Lancaster crew in World War II, and his men. Night after night, they would fly in and target heavily defended targets in Germany, eventually going after the greatest prize of them all – the Tirpitz battleship.

From military history to epic true stories of heroism and loss, Booktopia offers countless air force books that will leave readers awed, inspired, and moved. Browse our bestsellers to see what’s popular right now and learn more about the air force’s deep history.