Chris Glatte Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Chris Glatte

For readers diving into Chris Glatte's gritty, highly detailed depictions of World War II, choosing where to start depends on what style of military fiction you prefer. Glatte writes with a focus on historical accuracy, intense combat, and the raw human element of conflict. If you are looking for a sweeping, emotional family saga that covers multiple fronts and the home front, start with A Time to Serve. If you prefer squad-level combat, survival, and guerrilla warfare in the Pacific, Tark's Ticks is the perfect entry point. For fans of classic military campaign histories focusing on infantry regiments, start with the 164th Regiment Series.

A Time to Serve Series

This series takes a more personal, expansive approach to World War II by focusing on the Cooper family. The narrative begins in 1941 just before the Pearl Harbor attack, introducing newlyweds Clyde and Abigail Cooper. Following the entry of the United States into the war, Clyde enlists in a newly formed paratrooper unit, while his brother Frank is deployed to the Philippines, experiencing the brutal fighting on Bataan and Corregidor. Abigail stays behind, representing the courage and changing dynamics of the home front. Readers should read this series in strict publication order to follow the chronological evolution of the war and the family's interconnected storylines.

• A Time to Serve (2022): Sets the stage as the Cooper family is pulled into the conflict after Pearl Harbor. Clyde joins the experimental paratroopers, and Frank is deployed to the Philippines.
• The Gathering Storm (2022): Follows the characters as they face the initial crucible of training and early deployment, testing their bonds under threat of global war.
• The Scars of Battle (2023): Focuses on the brutal reality of combat operations in both the Pacific and European theaters, emphasizing the mental and physical toll on the soldiers.
• The Last Test of Courage (2023): As the war moves toward its climax, the characters face their most difficult challenges on the front lines and the home front.
• The Light After the Storm (2024): Explores the closing phases of the war, the struggle for survival, and the beginning of the long road to healing and peace.

Tark's Ticks Series

This series focuses on Sergeant Tarkington and his infantry squad during the fall of the Philippines in 1942. It details the desperate defense of the Bataan Peninsula, the harrowing circumstances leading to the Bataan Death March, and the subsequent rise of guerrilla resistance groups in the Philippine jungles. The series is highly praised for its grit and squad dynamics. The books should be read in order to follow the survival journey of Sergeant Tarkington and his men.

• Tark's Ticks (2019): Introduces the squad as they are pushed to the brink during the retreat and collapse of Allied forces in the Philippines.
• Valor's Ghost (2020): Details the squad's struggle to survive behind enemy lines as they refuse to surrender and begin adapting to guerrilla tactics.
• Gauntlet (2020): The squad must navigate hostile jungle territory, dodging search patrols while trying to establish contact with other resistance elements.
• Valor Bound (2020): Focuses on the consolidation of local guerrilla forces and the small victories they achieve against overwhelming odds.
• Dark Valley (2021): Explores the darkest periods of the occupation, showing the toll that prolonged guerrilla warfare takes on the squad's physical and mental state.
• War Point (2022): Follows the squad as they coordinate larger-scale sabotage and intelligence operations in preparation for the eventual Allied return.
• Kanga Raid (2022): A high-stakes mission that tests the ultimate limits of the squad's tactical capabilities and survival instincts.

164th Regiment Series

The 164th Regiment Series is Glatte's debut project, tracking the real-life U.S. Army 164th Infantry Regiment. The books focus heavily on the grueling island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific, starting with the reinforcements sent to Guadalcanal and moving on to the dense, disease-ridden jungles of Bougainville. This series is ideal for readers who enjoy detailed campaign tactics and realistic portrayals of infantry warfare.

• The Long Patrol (2016): Follows the regiment as they land on Guadalcanal to reinforce the battle-weary Marines, facing relentless Japanese attacks.
• Bloody Bougainville (2017): Transitions to the brutal jungle fighting on Bougainville Island, highlighting the harsh environmental conditions.
• Operation Cakewalk (2017): A shorter novella-length entry detailing a specific patrol action that proves to be anything but simple.
• Bleeding The Sun (2018): Concludes the main campaign narrative of the regiment as they continue their march through the Pacific.

Standalone Novels and Novellas

For readers looking for self-contained stories, Glatte has written two standalone novels and several shorter pieces. These books are ideal if you want a complete story without committing to a multi-book series.

Standalone Novels

• Across the Channel (2018): A dramatic story focusing on three British boys too young for official service who find themselves stranded on the occupied French side of the English Channel, forcing them to find a way home.
• Shrouded Glory (2021): Set during the neglected Aleutian Islands Campaign, specifically the battle to retake Attu Island. The story follows two friends separated in the freezing fog and mountainous terrain of the sub-Arctic, battling both a motivated Japanese garrison and the brutal environment.

Short Stories and Novellas

• Island Hop (2020): A short story detailing the harrowing experiences of a landing craft crew during Pacific beach assaults.
• Hellcat Down (2020): Follows a downed Navy pilot struggling to survive in hostile territory after his fighter crash-lands.
• Lightning Pilot (2021): Explores the aerial combat side of the war, focusing on a P-38 Lightning pilot.
• Wartime Christmas Tales: A WWII Flash Fiction Anthology (2020): A collaborative anthology containing flash fiction stories, including a contribution from Glatte, exploring the holiday season during wartime.

Chronological vs. Publication Order

Because Chris Glatte's series cover distinct geographical areas and military units, there is no need to read across series in any specific order. The publication order for each series matches its internal chronological timeline. Therefore, the best approach is to select one series—such as A Time to Serve for character-driven drama or Tark's Ticks for squad action—and read it from the first book to the last before moving to another series.