War

Tales Of

by Roald Dahl

PERFECT for fans of Roald Dahl.

Think you know Dahl? Think again. There's still a whole world of Dahl to discover in a newly collected book of his deliciously dark tales for adults . . .

In war, are we at our heroic best or our cowardly worst? Featuring the autobiographical stories from Roald Dahl's time as a fighter pilot in the Second World War as well as seven other tales of conflict and strife, Dahl reveals the human side of our most inhumane activity.

Among other stories, you'll read about the pilot shot down in the Libyan desert, the fighter plane that vanishes inside a mysterious thick white cloud and the soldier who returns from war but has been shockingly changed by his experiences.

Featuring extraordinary cover art by Charming Baker, whose paintings echo the dark and twisted world of Dahl's short stories.

Roald Dahl reveals even more about the darker side of human nature in seven other centenary editions: Lust, Madness, Cruelty, Deception, Trickery, Innocence and Fear.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Literature, Classics, War, Audiobook, 20th Century

ebook

First published August 10, 2017

About the author

Roald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.

Reviews

[Rehan Abd Jamil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fan of Going Solo but not too keen on the short stories..

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roald Dahl’s autobiographical work Going Solo detailing his career as a trainee fighter pilot and then his time in active service fills the majority of this book.

As the book progresses you can’t help but visualise the harsh reality of war which the author punctuates with brilliant descriptions of the people and places he met along the way. Although incredibly moving in places and much darker than the other books in the collection for dint of this being real life I was once again amazed at the breadth as well as depth of Roald Dahl’s story telling prowess.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Checkout 19 by Claire- Louise Bennett I remembered her telling of reading books by
Roald Dahl. So in my daily going I saw a book lying on top of some lockers by Roald Dahl.
And knowing this book was there for the taking I swiped it. It's a quick and easy enough read about
him becoming a fighter pilot in WWII with the RAF. His training and the places he flew combat missions in including Libya, Greece and Egypt. Some fascinating tales of him crossing the Sinai
desert, and the inner jungles of Africa by car. He bought one for personal use this is 1939 and the thing only went 35 mph. He was working in Africa for Shell Oil when the war broke out and decided
to join the RAF hence the car and the long drive through the jungle at the ripe old age of twenty-three. This author had his trusty camera with him a gift from his mom and took some photos along
the way. When he was staying in Africa he had a native man servant and at that time the Nazis were
starting their quest of world domination he ends up looking into becoming a pilot and what his man
servant does I'll let you find out for yourself. But it involves cutting off a head.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

War: Tales of Conflict and Strife consists of two parts: The first part, going solo, is an autobiography of Dahl’s first job in East Africa with the Shell Company along with his experiences flying with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the second world war. The second part of the book is a collection of short stories.

Dahl’s life in East Africa was quite amusing and entertaining with characters like Mdisho, incidents involving lions capturing villagers and dangerous encounters with poisonous snakes. Yet, I enjoyed the recollections of his experiences as a fighter pilot better.

Through his autobiographical narrative on the brutality of war, Dhal portrays the inhuman nature of man. The overarching theme of this book is essentially that war is futile. Dhal also shows how personnel of the RAF were treated insignificantly by their commanding leaders. Although he narrates instances in Egypt, for instance, where their welfare is considered of some importance, he also narrates various instances when his squad of fighter pilots were treated insignificantly. In Crete for example, the RAF fighter pilots were left with a squadron of just fifteen aircraft against the thousands of German fighter planes, they were not given clear strategies and were asked to blindly follow orders which in Dahl’s opinion were quite questionable. I like how he indirectly claims that soldiers are but numbers to their leaders and that the individual lives of those who fight in wars are not always valued as they should be.

I found the short stories interesting because I understood them to represent the deep psychological changes that are experienced by those involved in the war and those affected by war. To me, the stories highlight how war changes people and their personalities. Dahl’s characters seem to be changed persons with new personalities. They struggle to accept and adjust to the changes in themselves as well as to the changes in their lives that are brought about by war.

I enjoyed this book a lot and look forward to reading more of Dhal's stories for adults.

[Tanya]

—————

My other reviews of Dahl's centenary editions of tales for adults (work in progress):

Cruelty: Tales of Malice and Greed · ★★★
Deception: Tales of Intrigue and Lies
Fear: Tales of Terror and Suspense
Innocence: Tales of Youth and Guile
Lust: Tales of Craving and Desire
Madness: Tales of Fear and Unreason
Trickery: Tales of Deceit and Cunning
War: Tales of Conflict and Strife

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You have a lot to learn', he said. 'But you are a good boy. You are fighting for freedom. So am I."

A short story collection with mostly autobiographical stories from Dahl's days as a pilot officer during the second world war and a few stories that are inspired by his experiences during that time.

Dahl is an amazing storyteller. Building tension is what he does best. He has me on the edge of my seat with his biographical stories. From the lion that took the cook's wife, the brave boy that took his sword to kill the Germans and Dahl himself regaining his eyesight after a deadly planecrash. It was all so real, I felt like I was there with him. His other short stories were good too but a little too surrealistic for my taste. I found it harder to relate to them though I understand why he chose to express himself in that way.

My favourite has to be the autobiographical story of when he lands on the secret landing strip and finds a man taking care of Jewish orphans. Dahl seems to really have no idea about the discrimination against Jews at that time and the conversation between him and the man is heartbreaking. To then read later that the location is no longer to be found on the map makes the whole thing even more tragic but also poetic in a way.

Another story that stuck by me is titled Yesterday Was Beautiful, about the immense impact of war on those who are left behind after the suffering. That is a story I will not spoil by relaying the plot, it is one you have to experience as it is revealed to you. Such a powerful story... Dahl really knows how to tug at the heartstrings.

[Helen Blunden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent read and I loved the section of his autobiography during the war. There were about four times, I had to hold my breath in and was shocked at what he saw or had to go through. It’s amazing he survived flying for the RAF u see extraordinary odds.

The second half of the book are his short stories he submitted to magazines and you could see the links to his autobiography where it gave you glimpses that he was referring to real life.

I bought this book from the publishers warehouse sale and now I want to track down the others in the series related to human nature.

Highly recommended read and certainly a great storyteller.

[Pip Snort · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Dahl's account of his war service is compelling, particularly given I had not read much about the war in Greece before this. The other accounts grapple with the emotional and psychological effect of the war and made me wonder how such ideas were received at the time.

[Andrew Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and thought provoking

Fascinating read about the early years of ww2 and the pointlessness of war. Some scary thoughts and many set of the pants moments. A great read from a author I grew up thinking as a great dreamer and not a high flying pilot with a third for adventure. .

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

STRICTLY RATING SHORT STORIES:
Some interesting, not meant to be read one after another, very samey. Mainly un-notable, enjoyed autobiography “going solo” much more.

[Gabriela Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I know that I am not a coward. I am certain of that. I will always keep going… and although I am so frightened that I can hardly think, yet I am going on to do this thing. There was never any question of not going or of turning back. I would rather die than turn back.”

Now THIS is, quite simply, excellent story telling! I'd always known Roald Dahl was a fighter pilot in the War, but I didn’t know of the details of his extraordinary adventures… until now. To me, they are far more amazing than the fantastic tales he wrote for children!

This volume contains his autobiographical novella, GOING SOLO, as well as seven short stories. They're all about his experiences during the War, and all are masterfully written, but the novella and the stories are completely different in tone. The novella is very optimistic and cheerful, while the stories are darker, more sinister… and one of them in particular struck me as being very timely for Halloween. “They Shall Not Grow Old” sent chills up and down my spine with the tale of a fellow fighter pilot who disappears for two days and comes back, reporting that he had been with “the pilots and air crews who had been killed in battle, who now, in their own aircraft were making their last flight, their last journey.”

No fictional glass elevator, no imaginary chocolate factory can compare with this amazing book, which leaves the reader grateful to live in a time of peace, with greater appreciation of the many blessings living in peacetime gives:

“All the things I want to do and all the things I want to see… like going home sometimes. Like walking through a wood. Like pouring a drink from a bottle. Like looking forward to weekends and like being alive every hour every day every year for fifty years.”

Penguin Books released seven other collections of Roald Dahl’s works (Lust, Madness, Cruelty, Deception, Trickery, Innocence, and Fear), and I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest!

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've ever read any of Dahl's adult stories before, it's one of these things that I always thought I'd do at some point and never got around to. I loved his stories as a child, so I was both excited and a bit apprehensive about reading the adult stories. I chose this particular collection because of my love of war stories.

The first, and longest, story was 'Going Solo' and it was an account of Dahl's own experiences in the RAF. Now I read his book 'Going Solo' when I was a child, which I only vaguely remember. I'm sure that this version (the one in 'War') is more adult, it doesn't read like a children's book anyway, but as both are autobiographies I imagine that a lot of the stories are of the same incidents.

Going Solo was the story in the collection which I enjoyed the most. The others though really held something which said that Dahl knew war, and the aftermath. What I liked was how things like loosing a child, or shellshock, or even just generally recovering from the experience of war were talked about but not explicitly. Most of the other short stories felt like they were a story which showed how these things felt, without actually saying how they felt- a sort of metaphor if you will.

The other stories did tend towards the weird, which I think is part of why I didn't like them so much in the moment. They weren't weird in an entertaining way, just strange. 

I'm not sure if my experience means I will read more of Dahl's adult stories or not. When I bought this one I also considered Madness and Innocence so I still may read them.

[Dante Beukes · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘War: Tales of Conflict and Strife’ is a compilation of Roald Dahl’s autobiographical account ‘Going Solo’ and various short stories on war. These writings have been previously published in a variety of publications, though this specific collection was first published in 2017 by Penguin Books. I wrote a separate review of ‘Going Solo’ which can be found here.

This was my first introduction to Dahl’s short stories for adults and I am not quite sure what to make of them. The stories are very dark and obscure, as I am sure Dahl intended. I enjoyed some of them, but others I thought were very strange and I struggled to follow at times. I am not quite sure whether this compilation of Dahl’s work is justified. I think the autobiography and the short stories are too different in tone and moral to be included in one edition, though I am very thankful that it is, as I would not have been exposed to this side of Dahl had it not been.

I think what Dahl was trying to achieve through these short stories is to make the reader aware of the psychological impact of war on the people involved. In his attempt to do this, he intentionally made the stories to be shocking and obscure as that seems to be the only way in which the brutality of war can be expressed. I am sometimes guilty of romanticising war and forgetting about the deep impact it has on the members involved. These stories knocked all sense of the romanticism of war out of me and reminded me of the harsh truth of this horrific reality of mankind.

I decided to give this book a rating of 4/5, as I enjoyed ‘Going Solo’ (5/5), but I felt the short stories were hit and miss (3/5). I would say that my favourite short story would be either ‘Only This’ or ‘Someone Like You’, and the weirdest story would have to be a toss-up between ‘A Piece of Cake’ and ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’. Having now gotten a taste for Dahl’s adult stories, it would be interesting to see what the rest of this series, by Penguin Books, has to offer.

[Baljit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this 3.5 stars.

There are two parts to this book. The first part is the writer’s live account of his time spent in East Africa, working in the colonies, just before WW2 started. Later he joins the Royal Air Force and serves as a fighter pilot in Egypt and Greece. The second part is a few short stories based on experiences of war.

I enjoyed the first part much more then the second. Dahl was mere lad of 22 when he left England and lived in Africa. It was a heady experience to leave for strange and exotic lands, meet the natives, and experience life as part of the ruling masters. It was a different era then and people knew so much less about the world and other cultures.
His experiences as a fighter pilot highlight how inexperienced youth were thrust into the battlefield and often sacrificed in the name of patriotism. His accounts were peppered with lovely letters to his dear Mama. After some harrowing experiences he was medically discharged and has an emotional reunion with his family. All wars, past and present, are senseless carnage of human life.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It is a fact, and I verified it carefully later, that out of those sixteen, no fewer than thirteen were killed in the air within the next two years." - Roald Dahl

It's not easy for an RAF pilot to survive WW2. What about a compelling storyteller that happened to be an RAF pilot who survived WW2? That's rare.

I was already looking forward to reading "Going Solo" and was amazed by the backstory of Dahl's first published work "A Piece of Cake" from his autobiography "Boy". That's one of the reasons that got me interested in picking up this book right after finishing "Boy". "Going Solo" surely did not disappoint.

I liked a couple of the other stories but I did not enjoy reading them as much as "Going Solo". It's truly fascinating to read about his story of becoming an RAF pilot, and narrating the fighter planes in action during WW2.

I'm a little sad to have finished both of Dahl's autobiographies, I'm looking forward to finishing the rest of Dahl's Penguin collection of short stories that I've yet to read.

[Jia Ming · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading Going Solo as a child but reading it again now made me realise so many things that I’ve missed out before: like the hardly documented battle of Athens (A quick Google search only brings up results of another battle of Athens, in America) and most appallingly, the author’s almost nonchalant view when his young helper beheaded a German neighbour without even fully understanding the need or consequences.

I suppose this was a completely different time when war turned all lives into mere head counts so read this not to judge, but to view the war through the eyes of a brilliant story teller. (On hindsight, anyone know if Roald’s views of the Germans and the Vichy French (are they still called that?) changed in his later years?)

Going Solo was a good eye opener. The other short stories were not as straight forward but refreshing nonetheless if you appreciate tales of well... hopelessness... And war...

[S.P. Oldham · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this book is much more 'grown up' than Innocence. Some very interesting tales of Dahl's life as a fighter pilot during the war. What I took from this book is that his experiences left deep, lasting impressions upon him, some of them dark and disturbing, others quite amazing. Of course, no one comes through a world war unaffected, but that is what I get from this book; the feeling of sadness, anger and disbelief that stayed with him always. I suspect he drew from his own thoughts, feeliings and experiences throughout his writing career. He was a truly amazing man, with a rich and quite unbelievable variety of careers. He was brave too, without a doubt.

Some quite deep and thought-provoking stories at the end, one or two that left me with a lump in my throat. The Death of an Old Man I found especially moving.

I find myself thinking about this book at random moments. It has certainly left its mark on me.

[Sunro · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read, with a lot of human emotion. The almost comedic, colorful prose you'd expect from Dahl is definitely present and the most enjoyable part of the book. Worth reading just for that alone (if it's a style you like).
The short stories at the end are nice too, and really do convey different aspects of wartime struggles (especially post-war struggles).
That being said, I don't have particularly strong feelings about this book either. It's an interesting read but didn't leave me with a strong impression. No part was weak but nothing was particularly strong either, though there is some really good imagery in here, like the line of planes going into the sky that reminded me of Porco Rosso, or the mother standing on the wing of the plane which reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle (why they're both Ghibli films, I don't know).
Overall enjoyable, just not a stand-out.

[Marieke P · Rating 4 out of 5]

'War' is a collection of stories by Roald Dahl about war and conflict, written for an adult audience. The book consists of two parts: 'Going Solo', an autobiography about Dahl's deployment in East Africa and his experiences as an RAF fighter. The second part contains short stories, with the overlapping theme of war and conflict.

Dahl's children's books were extremely special to me growing up, so I will always have a soft spot for this man. This is the first time I read any of his adult work, and I was definitely impressed. His prose is slightly different but still recognizable, especially in the way he describes people he meets. Compiled together, the short stories become slightly repetitive, but seeing how well they describe the emotional background of people in was, I did not mind it too much. Mostly a fan of Going Solo, They Shall Not Grow Old, and The Soldier.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I’m just a sucker for war themed stories, but Roald Dahl’s account of his experiences from war are simply harrowing. Even with the first short story (Going Solo) actually being more of a book in itself, i found the account extremely gripping and entertaining. It makes sense that Roald Dahl is recognized as probably the best story teller of his century. This collection of short stories are either a first hand account of his war experiences or are directly inspired by them. The picture painted with crafted words depicts the horrors of wars notably from the perspective of a pilot. One gets a sense of the insanity, terror, courage and camaraderie that encapsulates the life of a pilot in the war (WW2)...

[Ethan Teo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I began my life post-army by reading a series of classic literature works. Interspersed between these works were a collection of little-known pieces by Dahl. To be precise, this was an anthology of 'adult works' (simply stories without Dahl's characteristic fantasical elements), across a spectrum of seven topics. But not to be wrong, Dahl still retains his trademark ability to captivate his reader from page to page, simply by creating the most intriguing plots.

'War' deals loosely with stories of conflict and war, both fictional and real. Many of these stories are taken from Dahl's own experience flying for the RAF during WWII in Africa. Many fictional stories also clearly draw inspiration from Dahl's memoirs.

This is a secret treasure for my friends who grew up on Dahl's writing and long exhausted their supply of his books read.

[Ping Yen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really am a big fan of going solo but somehow a bit confused with the short stories. Some of the short stories were easier to understand but mostly were just stories that have open endings which I don't really get it. It's almost like the author is challenging us to think like him and there are just some unexplained events in the stories which I wish I knew more about. Overall I really like this book and highly recommend for those who wants to understand more about war and it's aftermath.

And if you think the short stories are boring or hard to understand, you can always look up on the internet to look for summary/analysis and have a look on what are other's views on the short stories , since different people may have different perspectives.

[Renald Micallef · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the fourt book I read in this series. Most of it is a biographical account of the war experiences of the author, while the rest are short stories. As one can imagine, reading about war is not a subtle nor enjoyable thing, however I suggest prospective readers not to be discouraged by the title.

Reading it offers the possibility to open one's views by speaking directly with someone with first-hand experience of those times. You can only learn.

It says in the title 'Tales of Conflict & Strife' because in this book you'll find stories of soldiers who sacrificed their youth, of madness creeping in post-war, of injured men and effects on their loved ones.

[Nadhilla Melia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the short stories in this collection because I could tell that they were written by someone who has personal experience with war and PTSD, which Roald Dahl clearly had. I preferred the short stories to his autobiographical story because there was too much airplane and flying terms that I couldn't really understand that took me out of the story. But the emotional beats of his stories are still pretty impactful and you just know these are some really personal stories and experiences for him.

[Ashley Atherton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this collection of stories. I did find the long-form memoir the most interesting though as I found that I was just getting into the short stories and they would be over. That being said though, the short stories were so well written and you are transported into either that time or the mental space that the story was trying to convey. War is a chaotic time and how these stories were written helps to easily set your mind to a time of chaos.

[Zha · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person who is not really into war-themed works due to uneasiness of spectating battles, this book surprisingly put that feeling aside and dragged me to see other point of views during the tension of war. There are stories depicting the long despairful aftereffect of being soldiers; whilst also narrating some comedic scenes we tend not to see in stories of exhausting battles. This book is not as tough as I thought.

[Doug Laughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed his autobiographical story which starts when he goes to Africa to work for Shell oil. After war breaks out, he drives across country and volunteers in the RAF. A very enjoyable read that ends when he returns home after 3 years away into the arms of his mother. The added on stories at the end where not enjoyable and we’re all dream like tales. Nothing is more boring than a detailed description of a dream.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not one much for the topic of these tales (war stories, colonialism) but it is well written and pretty entertaining. Once his main accounts and it's straightforward storytelling ended and the Ladies Home Journal pieces started, I stopped reading. I can't handle those poetic wishy washy stories of old.

[Ya nen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In more ways than one, Roald Dahl is the reincarnation of Frankenstein

He broke his nose, ear, eyes, had an ENTIRE FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION, and still comes up with loony balooney children stories

But I've got to admit, these adult books hit different

In a very, verily good way

3 stars

[Rose Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

first half of going solo, its such a fun casual read full of absurd little anecdotes. too silly that i feel like it really wont happen irl.
second half IM SWEATING im locked. incredibly immersive and he really has been through it..

the time when he landed in palestine and met a jewish refugee,, woah its very timely.