There are a lot of TV shows that have their roots in literature, and this comes from a wide variety of genres. Anything from fantasy to comedy to sci-fi can have literary origins, and tend to be a treat (or in some cases, a major disappointment) for readers or fans of the original author’s work. Since these book adaptations cover all sorts of bases, one can assume that many war-themed TV shows are also based on books.
It doesn’t matter whether these books are memoirs, novels, or non-fiction historical accounts, anything can serve as a decent piece of source material if a filmmaker is willing to commit to making it a reality. These are the best war TV shows based on books, which don’t always do the original works justice, but whichserve as binge-worthy eye candy, compelling drama, and thrilling adventures for audiences.
10’Masters of the Air' (2024)
Based on ‘Masters of the Air’ (2007) by Donald L. Miller
The recently releasedMasters of the Airis a companion piece to one of the greatest war miniseries ever,Band of Brothers. The two share the same setting, being on Europe’s Western Front, the difference is that the former takes audiences high above the turmoil on the ground below, on a journey through the iron skies of World War II. It might seem like things should be less intense way up there, but as the show proves, they aren’t–they can be just as deadly as the ground below.
Like the series that came before it,Masters of the Airboasts an immense production value, which is sure to inspire awe in any viewer with its massive cinematic scale and stunning visual effects. It suffered a bit in that it sometimes sacrificed historical authenticity in favor of drama or action, but it doesn’t do this to a point where it’s ruined. Many people were disappointed because they expected more of what they saw inBand of Brothers, butin comparison to other TV shows,Masters of the Airsoars high above the rest.
Masters of the Air
During WWII, five miles above the ground and behind enemy lines, ten men inside a bomber known as a “Flying Fortress” battle unrelenting flocks of German fighters.
9’The Pillars of the Earth' (2010)
Based on ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ (1989) by Ken Follett
The Pillars of the Earthis a miniseriesset during a period of English history known as “The Anarchy,” which ran from 1138-1153. It was referred to as such because of the political turmoil that occurred, and because it was a period of intense civil war in England, which affected many aspects of normal life. It is based on a novel of the same name byKen Follett, however, it should be noted that the miniseries differs greatly from the novel, even adding an entirely new ending.
As the Anarchy rages, the Church seeks to construct a new cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, but the tumultuous times prove to hinder the construction in many ways.The Pillars of the Earthactually went on to win an Emmy amidst rave reviews and high critical scores, with praise for its political drama and historical intricacies.For Medieval political thrills and war drama, look no further than this underrated, yet brilliant miniseries.
The Pillars of the Earth
8’Catch-22' (2019)
Based on ‘Catch-22’ (1961) by Joseph Heller
Catch-22is a dark comedy/political satire miniseries that follows a British bombardier named John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott), who initially enlisted in the Royal Air Force during World War II because he was under the assumption that it would be way less dangerous than being ground infantry. As it turns out, flying in a bomber is also extremely dangerous, with every assignment he is sent on becoming more and more risky.
Frustrated, Yossarian tries to find a way to cheat the system and get himself out of the RAF before his time is over, jumping through a series of legal loopholes and gaps in the military administration to try and keep himself safe from anti-aircraft fire.Catch-22may not be the first adaptation of the novel upon which it is based, but it is undoubtedlythe most famous, using modern filming techniques and resources to make the book come to life in a whole new way.
7’Turn: Washington’s Spies' (2014–2017)
Based on ‘Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring’ (2006) by Alexander Rose
Turn: Washington’s Spiesis set during the birth of the United States itself: the American Revolutionary War. The main characters consist of a few New York farmers who enlist to form the Culper Ring, spying on the British forces and eventually turning the tide of the war. The series covers their various operations from 1776, shortly after the Declaration of Independence was signed, all the way up until 1781, in the final years of the war.
As with many historical drama and war shows, lots of the characters featured were actually real people, who finally come to life on screen right before the audience, allowing them to glimpse pieces of American history. Admittedly. the series starts off as a bit of a slog, and itsfirst season wasn’t received very well. After that though,ratings skyrocketed and it becomes a much more enjoyable thrill ride through history that viewers won’t soon forget.
TURN: Washington’s Spies
6’The White Queen' (2013)
Based on ‘The White Queen’ (2009) by Philippa Gregory
The White Queenis set during the Wars of the Roses in the 15th Century, a time in English history when various families were competing for the throne, eventually resulting in a victory for the Tudors, from which the modern British Royal Family is descended. Don’t expect to find too much action in this miniseries however, as it’s largely about what goes on behind the scenes, and the various women who are pulling strings and altering the political landscape forever.
Most, if not all, of the characters are based on real people, and the series explores their role in English society, which isn’t something often touched upon in othershows about the Middle Ages.It is an intriguing political and romantic drama that shows all the ins and outs of the way the Royal Familyused to function, and that displays how vital the roles of these women were, even if they are often omitted from many other stories about the time period.
The White Queen
5’Generation Kill' (2008)
Based on ‘Generation Kill’ (2004) by Evan Wright
Generation Killis set during the Iraq War, and is based on a memoir byEvan Wright, a war correspondent who actually went to Iraq to document what was going on with the ever-growing conflict. As such, most of the series isn’t just about modern combat, but about a journalist’s survival in an active warzone, a journalist who actually makes an appearance in the series, where he is played byLee Tergesen.
Generation Killwon three Creative Arts Emmys in 2009, praised for its visual effects and for its sound design, which perfectly captures the horrors of modern warfare in a perilous part of the world. Despite having a huge cast and only seven episodes, nothing feels rushed or condensed, and it at no point feels confusing or hard to follow. It’s prettywell-rounded in all aspects, and though it isn’t perfect, it’s a brilliant entry into war television.
Generation Kill
4’The Pacific' (2010)
Based on ‘With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa’ (1981) by Eugene Sledge & ‘Helmet for my Pillow’ (1957) by Robert Leckie
The Pacificis thesecond companion piece toBand of Brothers, swinging on over to Asia and Oceania to display some of the most violent and brutal battles of the Second World War’s Pacific Theatre. This miniseries is actually based on two books, both of them personal accounts of actually serving in these battles, including Peleliu Island, Okinawa, and Guadalcanal. The Pacific Theatre proved to be a whole different ballgame, with the forests and rolling hills of Europe being swapped for jungles, and swamps, with the Japanese Empire using the thick vegetation to their advantage.
Like its predecessor,The Pacificexamines the most vital aspects of war: brotherhood, trust, and camaraderie, with each soldier having to look out not just for himself, but for the ones at his side. The show won the Emmy for Best Miniseries, which it definitely deserved that year, because it absolutelymaintained every bit of charm thatBand of Brothershad, taking viewers to a new front with all-new characters and events.
The Pacific
3’Shōgun' (2024–)
Based on ‘Shōgun’ (1975) by James Clavell
Shōgunis an alternate history show set at the turn of the 17th Century, during Japan’s Warring States Period. During this dark part of Japanese history, the island nation was wracked with a near-constant level of civil war, political upheaval, and societal revolutions, and is commonly associated with samurai and feudal lords. The 2024 Hulu and FX show is not the first adaptation ofJames Clavell’s novel, but it is perhaps the most famous. Initially intended as a miniseries, it found such widespread acclaim that a second season has been planned.
The reason it’slisted as alternate historyis because none of the characters or events existed although they are based heavily on real happenings and historical figures.Regardless of its detachment from actual history,Shōgunhas been an absolutely monstrous hit with television viewers, largely due to its high production value, political and familial drama, stellar samurai action, and its look at some subtle cultural intricacies that existed at the time.
2’Band of Brothers' (2001)
Based on ‘Band of Brothers’ (1992) by Stephen E. Ambrose
Band of Brothersis easily thebest war miniseries everconceived. This masterpiece of television was created by directorSteven Spielbergand actorTom Hanksfollowing the success of their World War II epic,Saving Private Ryan. The series follows a group of American soldiers during the Second World War, as they fight their way across the Western Front during the final year of the Third Reich. Across France, Belgium, and Germany,Band of Brotherscaptured the war in such an awe-inspiring way that two follow-up series were produced.
Band of Brotherswas nominated for not one, not two, but 20 different Emmys in 2002, and took home the win for seven of them. That alone is enough to speak to its outstanding quality, as many TV shows are lucky if they even receive one nomination at all.Band of Brothersis a timeless, action-packed series about heroism, friendship, loss, sacrifice, and the scars that never really heal, all within the backdrop of the world’s deadliest conflict.
Band of Brothers
The story of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their mission in World War II Europe, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.
1’MAS*H' (1972–1983)
Based on ‘MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors’ (1968) by Richard Hooker, & ‘MAS*H’ (1970) by Ring Lardner Jr.
MASHis the classic Korean War sitcom that surely needs no introduction. With an impressive run of a whopping eleven years,MASHisn’t just funny, but it’s also a harrowing drama, laced with real aspects of wartime struggles and dangerous conditions encountered during the “forgotten war.” The cast of characters is wacky and memorable, and the show rarely lets up with its absurdist comedy, juxtaposing the ridiculousness of specific situations with the grim conditions of conflict.
Much of the show, as many already know, isn’t about the battles taking place on the Korean Peninsula, but about a crack team of military medics and trauma surgeons, who heal wounded American GIs while delivering some of the funniest punchlines in television history. At over 50 years since the television show’s premiere, thehype and buzz surrounding it hasn’t died down even a little bit, proving that the series isn’t just good at keeping wounded Americans alive, but at keeping its reputation alive, too, and that’s what makes it the best war series based on a book, and in fact, probably the best war series ever.
