The Thin Red Line (1962), authored by James Jones, highlights the futility of war through a fictional narrative about the clash between American and Japanese forces on Guadalcanal.

Stephen Crane's Red Badge of Courage (1895), set during the Civil War, delves into the essence of bravery and the harsh realities of combat.

In The Executioner's Song (1979), Norman Mailer offers a chilling insight into the psyche of Gary Gilmore, who was executed for murder in 1977.

Written in 1979 by Tim O'Brien, Going After Cacciato tells the tale of an American soldier in Vietnam. The young soldier abandons his duty to embark on an eight-thousand-mile journey to Paris to attend peace talks. His squad is subsequently tasked with tracking him down.