These five books explore scenes behind the military might that has been on display since the Second World War. Ranging from novels to short stories, to poetry and even beyond, you can explore thoughts about the threat of nuclear weapons, the suffering of PTSD when home from war, and even State assassinations. We include Nico Walker, who at the time of writing was still in prison in the USA after returning from Iraq with severe PTSD and began to rob banks to pay for his drug addiction.  Award-winning poets Robert Macfarlane and J.O Morgan write separately about the threat of nuclear weapons in the most powerfully beautiful, fierce and frightening way possible. Phil Klay’s debut and award-winning collection of stories from the front line and beyond was recommended by Barack Obama. While Russian author Sergei Lebedev includes: “poisons of all kinds: physical, moral, and political". So look behind and beyond the obvious, and discover some disturbing yet penetrating and powerful reads.