Just Added! The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
Read more about the first and only all-Black Women's Army Corps (WAC) unit to serve overseas during World War II.
Reading Lists
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library share reading lists curated by staff and the five branches of the U.S. military and the Joint Chiefs of Staff for further information about current events and the branches of our military. These reading lists seek to steer readers towards resources that help expand their understanding of current events and military service and encourage innovative thinking. Explore each list below and discover our library’s collection!
Air Force Reading List
Since 1996, the Air Force Chief of Staff Professional Reading Program has established reading lists each year in an effort to develop a common frame of reference among Air Force members.
Army Reading List
The Army Chief of Staff's Professional Reading List is divided into 4 sub-lists titled The Army Profession, The Force of Decisive Action, Broadening Leaders, and The Strategic Environment. Explore them all!
China and US International Relations Reading List
Our staff has collected resources from our collection to provide readers with additional information and context about the relationship between China and the United States.
Coast Guard Reading List
The U.S. Coast Guard Reading List is divided into four sections: Contemporary Issues, Leadership, Coast Guard History and Culture, and Leader of Leaders—a collection of recommendations from senior Coast Guard leaders.
Just Added! The Cold War in the 1950s Reading List
The Cold War, beginning after World War II and lasting until the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, was a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. The resources below can be accessed at the PMML shed light on this period of military history.
Just Added! Hollywood and the World Wars Reading List
The film industry played an important role in the American war effort, especially during World War II. Oscar winners Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable gave up their careers to serve in the armed forces, the Hollywood Canteen, started by actress Bette Davis, became a place where soldiers could receive a hot meal served to them by their screen idols, and movies such as “The Pride of the Marines”, “All Quiet on the Western Front”, and “Since You Went Away” showed civilians the realities of war and life on the home front and wartime musicals proved to be a form of escapism for audiences. If you want to learn more about this topic, check out some resources available at the Museum & Library.
Marine Corps Reading List
The Commandant's Professional Reading List (also known as the Marine Corps Reading List) is a list of required annual reading for all officer and enlisted Marines, whether active duty or reserve. The list is divided into books for enlisted marines and books for officers and then divided further by rank.
Navy Reading List
The Chief of Naval Operations Professional Reading Program list is divided into three sections: Warfighting First, Operate Forward, and Be Ready. Furthermore, the Navy divides each of the three sections into two categories: Essential Readings and Recommended Readings.
Space Command Reading List
The Space Operations Command (SPOC) protects America and its allies in space. Like the other military service branches, they maintain a reading list for Space Operations Command members.
Russia/Ukraine War Reading List
We stand with all citizen soldiers that defend democracy and make sacrifices great and small for the sake of freedom. Our staff has collected resources from our collection to provide readers with additional information and context about the current situation.