My father was a veteran; he served in the army in Vietnam, assigned to Military Assistance Command "MACV" and based in Duc Pho from 1970 to ‘71. While he was in the service for only a few years and deployed for only one tour, the experience irrevocably shaped his life, both in many positive and negative ways. It’s because of my dad that I have always been drawn to seek out veterans’ voices. Whether it’s literary fiction and memoirs rich with grace and vulnerability, military thrillers that built upon the real-life experience of their writers, or self-development titles that help the listener glean from the wisdom of those who serve, they’re all stories that everyone can benefit from hearing. I’ve tried to highlight a selection of the best, balanced with newer releases that also shed a light on the complicated modern world we live in and what a return to civilian life can look like today. —Emily, Audible Editor
Fiction
Emotionally rich and revealing stories, inspired by experiences of military service.
Memoirs
Hear moving personal stories from veterans and their loved ones.
Wellness
From tactical advice to philosophical support, these listens exude the wisdom of experience.
Audible Originals honoring veterans’ voices
Dale Maharidge reflects on his childhood as the son of a World War II vet, offering a cautionary tale for those returning from their own tours of duty today.
Actor Mary-Louise Parker follows the stories of three veterans who turn to the stand-up comedy circuit to help them face their experiences in combat.
Alan Alda hosts this podcast about the history of the Doctor’s Draft—in which Dr. Fauci participated—which ushered in a remarkable era of medical breakthroughs.
Reflecting on the war in Afghanistan
While a full picture of the final days of the war may be years away, these authors who were on the ground share their perspective.
Military thrillers
These edge-of-your-seat listens were inspired by real-life encounters.
Listens for teens and families
These picks for young listeners do the heavy lifting on tough topics.
Classics
These classic works of fiction, memoir, and biography have shaped many collective notions of what it means to go to war.
Included with membership
Find your next great listen in the Plus Catalog.
Dale Maharidge reflects on his childhood as the son of a World War II vet, offering a cautionary tale for those returning from their own tours of duty today.
Actor Mary-Louise Parker follows the stories of three veterans who turn to the stand-up comedy circuit to help them face their experiences in combat.
Alan Alda hosts this podcast about the history of the Doctor’s Draft—in which Dr. Fauci participated—which ushered in a remarkable era of medical breakthroughs.
How Terrifying Is Space, Really? Astronaut Chris Hadfield's Debut Thriller Shows Us
The former commander of the International Space Station brings the true cosmic experience to life in his Cold War chiller 'The Apollo Murders.'
Alan Alda and Journalist Kate Rope Unearth a Hidden History of American Medicine
Beloved actor and science enthusiast Alan Alda teamed up with award-winning journalist Kate Rope to uncover the story of the largely unkown Vietnam-era Doctor Draft, which paved the way for some of the greatest medical breakthroughs in our country's history.
Dale Maharidge's New Audible Original Shows How The Effects Of War Trauma Linger Long After The Fighting Stops
In this intimate interview, Pulitzer Prize-winner Dale Maharidge shares how he made peace with his past through the journey to find his father’s fallen Army friend on Okinawa.
Modern War Lit: 8 Astonishing Books By Returning Veterans
Less than one percent of the U.S. population has served in this century's conflicts, but a new wave of literature written by returning veterans offers a bridge to understanding their experiences.