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series Reading Order

Brotherhood of War Books in Order

9 Books
1982 – 2001 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Brotherhood of War Series

W.E.B. Griffin’s legendary military series is best read in its original publication order. Because the books follow a core group of characters—Craig Lowell, Sandy Felter, Bob Bellmon, and Phil Parker—as they rise through the ranks, reading the novels in the order they were written ensures you experience their personal growth and the Army's strategic evolution chronologically.

Publication and Chronological Reading Order

Use this straightforward list to follow the saga from its World War II beginnings through the early days of the Cold War and Vietnam:

  1. The Lieutenants (1982) – Sets the stage in the final years of WWII, introducing the core cast from North Africa to occupied Germany.
  2. The Captains (1982) – Moves into the crucible of the Korean War, testing the officers under intense combat pressure.
  3. The Majors (1983) – Focuses on the post-Korea rebuilding years and early counterintelligence efforts.
  4. The Colonels (1983) – Explores the buildup to Vietnam and the challenges of military leadership in a changing geopolitical landscape.
  5. The Berets (1985) – Details the birth of the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and covert operations.
  6. The Generals (1986) – Explores the Vietnam War era and the high-level strategic shifts in air assault tactics.
  7. The New Breed (1987) – Follows the next generation of soldiers and officers during the mid-1960s.
  8. The Aviators (1988) – Concentrates on the development of Army Aviation and helicopter warfare in Vietnam.
  9. Special Ops (2001) – The final novel, written after a 13-year hiatus, sending the characters on a covert 1960s mission against Che Guevara in the Congo.

Chronological Caveats and Reading Tips

While the publication order mirrors the chronological flow of the characters' lives, there are a few nuances to keep in mind:

  • The Vietnam Duology: Both The New Breed and The Aviators overlap significantly in timeframe, focusing on different aspects of the Vietnam War. Reading them in publication order is still recommended as the narrative threads complement each other perfectly.
  • The Publication Gap: Griffin took a 13-year break between The Aviators (1988) and Special Ops (2001). As a result, the prose style in the final book shifts slightly, but it serves as a crucial wrap-up to the characters' decades-long journeys.

Connections to Other W.E.B. Griffin Series

If you finish the Brotherhood of War and crave more of Griffin's signature style, you can explore his other series. While there are no direct character crossovers, they share the same detailed universe:

  • The Corps: The closest companion series, focusing on the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and Korea.
  • Men at War: Explores the clandestine world of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII.
  • Clandestine Operations: Focuses on the early days of the CIA during the Cold War.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Brotherhood of War series?

You should start with the first book, The Lieutenants (1982). The series is highly serialized and depends on character progression.

QIs the publication order different from the chronological order?

No, the publication order matches the chronological order of the characters' careers, moving linearly from WWII through the Korean War to Vietnam and the Cold War.

QAre there any co-authored books in the Brotherhood of War series?

Unlike some of W.E.B. Griffin's later series, which were co-authored with his son William E. Butterworth IV, all nine books in the Brotherhood of War series were written solely by Griffin (William E. Butterworth III).

QIs there a crossover between Brotherhood of War and The Corps?

There are no direct plot or character crossovers between the two series, but they share the same rich military atmosphere and focus on historical detail—one highlighting the Army and the other the Marine Corps.

QWhat historical events are covered in the series?

The series covers major mid-20th-century events, including the aftermath of World War II, the Korean War, the rise of the Green Berets, Vietnam War tactics, and Cold War covert operations.

QWhy did it take so long for Special Ops to be published?

W.E.B. Griffin paused the series after The Aviators (1988) to focus on other projects, including The Corps and Badge of Honor, before returning to write the final volume, Special Ops, in 2001.