Historical Fiction Books about C.S. Lewis and World War 1 and 2

Historical fiction books about C.S. Lewis and World War 1 and 2 by Douglas Bond? Yes, please! Teens will love these faith-building novels!

World War 1 and 2

World War 1 was a hideous war, fought by young men for over four years, from 1914-1918, shooting at each other from opposing trenches in the mud. Both sides shelled the other trenches on a daily basis, and the resulting trauma of enduring being regularly bombed while protected by only a mud pit created the condition labeled “shell shocked.” When either side could no longer tolerate the stand off, one army or the other would be ordered to run at the opposite side, and they’d be slaughtered as they tried to reach the opposite trenches.

World War 2 was another brutal war, lasting from 1939-1945. There were planes and submarines–and bombs. Every major nation on earth was involved and 70 to 85 million people died of genocide, slavery, starvation, disease, warfare, and massacres. Most of the dead were everyday civilians, and the fight became the largest and widest reaching in the history of the world.

Our teens need to learn about both World War 1 and 2. One of my favorite ways to teach history is through literature. And, I love it if a story involves the story of a faithful Christian figure!

C S Lewis Books | Historical Fiction for Teens

C.S. Lewis, the notable Christian theologian and apologist, entered the war voluntarily as a junior officer in 1917 at the age of 18 while attending Oxford University. An Irishman and a fan of Norse and Greek mythology, Lewis had been an atheist since the age of 15. He would not come to know Christ as his Lord and Savior until 1929.

Douglas Bond has written two novels about World Wars 1 and 2 that tell the story of the troops, and of C.S. Lewis.

War in the Wasteland

In War in the Wasteland (Inkblots Press, 2016), Douglas Bond deftly weaves a tale that tells the story of both life in the trenches, and of Jack (C.S) Lewis’ time there. Mr. Bond is one of my favorite storytellers, theologians, and historians; he is the author of more than 25 books.

The novel focuses on the story of fictional Nigel Hopkins, an 18-year-old drafted for war, and his dog Chips. There is a side story involving Elsie Fleming, another 18-year-old serving in the Women’s Auxillary Army Corps. The lives of Nigel, Jack, and Elsie intersect as Nigel serves under Jack’s command, and Elsie nurses them both in a brief respite from direct combat when one contracts Trench Fever and another Trench Foot. There is comradery and compassion, but no blatant romance. In fact, Elsie several times reflects on her father’s wise warnings of the “romantic” dangers of war.

War in the Wasteland depicts the tension of one side versus the other. Readers are immersed in the trenches and headquarters of the British and French allies. There are names (rather benign, yet not without teeth) applied to the Germans. Yet the Germans are several times humanized. The reader comes to see them as young men who also have families, are fighting for their country, and who often worship the same God.

War in the Wasteland is an exciting, theologically rich historical read. War is depicted honestly and brutally, without glorification or gore. There are several scenes in the 282-page book that involve Jack Lewis debating the existence and goodness of God with another junior officer while waiting out a shelling attack. I think one of the best ways to introduce students to theology and apologetics is to have them wrestle with it through story. I appreciate that Douglas Bond never leaves kids wondering what the truth is, but neither is he preachy.

The Resistance

The Resistance (Inkblots Press, 2018) follows C.S. Lewis into World War 2. The protagonist, Lieutenant Eli Evans is a bomber pilot, shot down over France. The country is occupied by the Nazis, and Evans faces a fast-paced fight to survive.

C.S. Lewis is a BBC broadcaster in the time leading up to D-Day. His radio broadcasts present a stark contrast to the worldview of the Nazis.

War in the Wasteland and The Resistance are more gems from Douglas Bond. These novels are perfect for every home library. Douglas Bond’s books are my favorite to review–and to read.

War in the Wasteland and The Resistance coordinate well with studies involving:

The 20th Century
World War 1
World War 2
France
C.S. Lewis
Modern Warfare
Atheism
Apologetics

Purchase War in the Wasteland and The Resistance

More Books by Douglas Bond

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Martin Luther and the Reformation

Teach your teens about Martin Luther and the Reformation in an exciting, new way with When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther!

Martin Luther (1483-1546) is often referred to as “The Father of the Reformation”. Born during a time of superstition, tradition, and spiritual corruption, Luther gave up a lucrative career as a lawyer to become a monk in the Roman Catholic Church–a path he felt would certainly lead to salvation.

As Luther’s understanding of the spiritual corruption within the Church grew, and he despaired of true salvation, Luther (now a scholar and priest) sought the Bible for answers. Following his discovery of the true gospel in Scripture, Luther began to preach spiritual freedom to his congregation, and to teach biblical (rather than philosophical) theology at the University of Wittenberg.

It was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther penned his Ninety-Five Theses in Latin in response to the abusive indulgence sales practices of the monk Johann Tetzel in a nearby town. Luther nailed the Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, the scholarly bulletin board of his day, and mailed a copy to the Archbishop of Mainz. Luther hoped to start a scholarly debate about the practice of selling salvation through plenary indulgences. The response he received was greater–and more dangerous–than he imagined it would be.

Luther’s story is exciting. There are death defying moments, epic spiritual battles, narrow escapes, a kidnapping, revolution, and war. As the “Father of the Reformation”, Luther is a vital figure in Church history. His sacrifice and willingness to wage battle against the spiritual, religious, and political powers of his medieval world allowed Christians throughout time to embrace the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as explained by Scripture alone once again. May all glory be to God alone!

Read portions of the first eight chapters of When Lightning Struck!:

Your kids will love the Who What Why Reformation series with illustrated narratives for 8-11 year olds. And, Martin Luther’s young adult historical fiction story makes the perfect family read aloud!
Grab the autographed Reformation Family Bundle!