Searching for stories that capture the courage, resilience, and reflection of life beyond service? From Special Forces memoirs to guides on finding purpose after the military, these veteran-authored books deserve a spot on your shelf. We’re honored to support U.S. veterans in their self-publishing journeys, and share their wisdom and encouragement with readers like you. These books will guide you to epic adventures in combat, transitioning through the unknown, and finding life again beyond service.
Pain, Love, and Faith
by Eric Martin
After retiring from service as an Army Ranger, Eric Martin struggled to communicate and process his trauma and heartaches. Writing poetry opened a door to healing. This poetry collection will encourage anyone struggling with their mental health to confront their heartache and find life again.
Warrior Withdrawal
by Varpas de Sa Pereira, PSYD
While returning home might seem like the easy part, for many veterans, the transition back to civilian life after months in a war zone is almost as difficult as the deployment itself. In Warrior Withdrawal, Varpas de Sa Pereira opens up about his own experiences with combat and the struggle to adjust to “normal” life.
Straight Talk For Veterans
By David Vacchi, Kevin Jones, Janine Wert, Aynsley Diamond, Adam Fullerton, Sharon Young, Michael Kirchner, Sarah E. Minnis, Glenn Phillips and Sosanya Jones
Straight Talk for Veterans is a straight-forward guide written by student veterans, in plain language. This guide is largely for those transitioning from the military to higher education, but also shares guidance on transitioning from the military to civilian life. If you’ve needed a push to enroll in classes and pursue your degree post-service, this guide is for you.
At Ease
by Matt Jurek
Using real life stories from his own transition, retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Matt Jurek shares helpful tips and insights on shaping your career as a veteran. He includes other testimonies from veterans becoming entrepreneurs, defense contractors, full-time students, and more. Readers will discover not only that they can make the transition, but that it’s their choice where they will land.
Fruits of the Unknown
by Alexander Seling
Hike across America with Alex, a former Army medic seeking to escape the darkness of his own mind after 10 years of retirement. His attempt to physically undergo the “Hero’s Journey” as a method of therapy and profound self-transformation will inspire anyone struggling to find the light again after leaving service.
Grit to Glory
by Darrell Utt
When Darrell Utt set his sights on joining the legendary Green Berets, he could never have anticipated the journey that would take him from the rugged woods of West Virginia to the heart of Baghdad during one of the deadliest periods of the war in Iraq. In his hard-hitting memoir, Darrell takes readers through the treacherous streets of Baghdad during his 2006 rotation as the team sergeant of ODA 043. With brutal honesty, humility, and a dark sense of humor, this eBook masterfully captures the grit and greatness of special operations.
Mayhem 337
by Chad Rickard, SGM
Late in 2008, Chad Rickard deployed as a member of an Embedded Transition Team to the highly contested Khost Province of Eastern Afghanistan. As a senior infantry advisor, Rickard embedded with the Afghan Army and spent nine months slugging it out with Haqqani Taliban along the Pakistan border region in a deadly battle for control of the Spera District. His riveting memoir brings recognition and honor to the Embedded Transition Team legacy that is often a footnote in U.S. military history.