Read Stories About War Online
Explore timeless stories of war, courage, and the resilience of both heroes and unlikely protagonists. Each tale reveals a unique perspective on conflict, unity, and the quest for peace, with lessons conveyed through fables, mythology, and history.
Courage and Valor in Battle
The story of Achilles recounts the journey of the legendary Greek hero whose near-invincibility faltered at his only vulnerable spot, the heel, during the Trojan War. Bonnie Prince Charlie follows the grandson of King James II in his effort to reclaim the English crown. Despite early successes, he faces defeat and, with the aid of Flora MacDonald, narrowly escapes to France. Richard and Blondel tells of the capture and imprisonment of King Richard I and his subsequent rescue, thanks to his loyal minstrel Blondel. In The Adventure of the Daughter of the King of Ireland, King Hettel of Denmark braves dangerous battles to win the hand of Hilda, ultimately leading to peace between two kingdoms.
Mythology and Strategic Triumphs
The Trojan Horse reveals the clever strategy that ended the ten-year siege of Troy, where Greek warriors hid inside a wooden horse to penetrate the city’s defenses. In The Spanish Armada, Sir Francis Drake leads England to victory against Spain’s powerful fleet through swift maneuvers and unexpected storms, marking a turning point in naval history. The Royal Oak describes how Charles II, fleeing from Cromwell’s soldiers, found refuge in an oak tree, allowing him to escape capture.
Animal Fables and the Cost of Conflict
The War of the Alligators tells of alligators defending their territory from a warship that disrupts their river ecosystem, ultimately allying with the Surubí to protect their home. In The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Sprat, two marine giants refuse mediation, continuing their relentless war, symbolizing the refusal to compromise. The Ass and the Charger follows an Ass who envies the Horse’s prestigious life until witnessing the dangers and sacrifices of battle.
Redemption and Transformation
Iron Hans depicts the growth of a young prince who frees a wild man, later finding himself in need of the wild man’s wisdom to win a war and gain the love of a princess. In The frost king and the power of love, a nymph named Star uses love to soften King Frost’s heart, ending his hostilities against the flowers and bringing peace.
Historical Escapes and Symbolic Gestures
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge tells the poignant story of a Confederate sympathizer’s imagined escape from execution, only to confront the reality of his fate.
Imagination over knowledge
