The Ultimate Military History Gift
Get snail mail from famous generals, admirals, spies, presidents, and more.
Explore American military history through the letters of those who lived it.
As Seen In
The Letterjoy Gift Experience
A weekly dose of history for the historian in your life: Real letters from figures like Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Paul Jones, and Clara Barton.
Fascinating Letters: We scour archives, libraries, and private collections around the world to find you one amazing letter, memorandum, or telegram from American military history per week.
Detailed Biographies: Each letter includes a "postscript" article with background information on your letter, its author, and the historical moment in which it was written.
Every Branch & Every Major Conflict: You'll receive letters about every major conflict involving the United States military (and some minor ones too) over the course of your membership.
Your letters will discuss naval history, tank warfare, the birth of military aviation, revolutions, rebellions, space, sieges, nuclear weapons, espionage, and more.
A Classic Experience: With textured high-end paper or parchment, restored signatures, letterhead, and real stamps, our letters will transport you back in time.
Meet Some Past Letterjoy Pen Pals
Learn about a few of the leaders and warriors who could grace your mailbox.
 |
William T. ShermanGeneral William Tecumseh Sherman wrote Letterjoy members to discuss his famous "March To The Sea" and the rationale behind his controversial decision to burn the city of Atlanta. |
 |
Thurgood MarshallLetterjoy members received a letter from Thurgood Marshall from before his appointment to the Supreme Court, when he was a young lawyer for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund investigating the malicious prosecution of black GIs in Korea. Through his letters home, Letterjoy members learned about Marshall's work overturning unjust courts-martial.. |
 |
Dwight D. EisenhowerPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote Letterjoy members to discuss his efforts to de-escalate the Cold War, D-Day, and his work as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe.. |
 |
Allen W. DullesLong-time CIA Director Allen W. Dulles has written Letterjoy members to discuss notable CIA programs and operations, including the U-2 Spy Plane, Operation Paperclip, and the Bay Of Pigs invasion. |
 |
John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones, father of the American Navy, wrote Ben Franklin (and Letterjoy members) to discuss the exploits of the Bonhomme Richard, a vessel in the Continental Navy which drew its name from Franklin's famous Poor Richard's Almanac(k). |
 |
Theodore RooseveltPresident Theodore Roosevelt wrote Letterjoy members to discuss the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine and his time leading the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill. |
 |
George S. PattonA young George S. Patton wrote his father (and Letterjoy members) to discuss his role in a WWI tank battle, the first mechanized battle fought by the US military. |
Your Letters Await...
 |
Harriet and Dangerfield NewbyDangerfield Newby was one of five formerly enslaved men to join John Brown on his famous raid of the armory at Harper's Ferry, in the lead-up to the American Civil War. On his body, a letter was found from his wife Harriet, still enslaved, pleading for rescue. Letterjoy members received this letter as well as a note from Colonel Robert E. Lee (then serving in the US Army) to Brown demanding his surrender. |
 |
Franklin D. RooseveltOver the years, Letterjoy members have received scores of different war-time letters and memorandums from FDR. Among the best was a top-secret letter from Roosevelt to Winston Churchill pondering the question of whether to remove General Charles de Gaulle from his post as leader of Free French Forces. |
 |
William TudorLieutenant-Colonel William Tudor was the first Judge Advocate General of the Continental Army. As the soldier solely responsible for adjudicating courts-martial during the early years of the American Revolution, he struggled to keep up. George Washington's micromanagement didn't help. Nevertheless, he single-handedly set many of the precedents later enshrined in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (though many were borrowed from the British). Letterjoy members received a letter he sent to Washington plotting reforms to this nascent system. |
 |
William Jennings BryanAfter the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, President Woodrow Wilson pushed his advisors to demand that Germany accept responsibility and take corrective action. Secretary Of State William Jennings Bryan, fearful of escalation, pushed back. After Wilson drafted a particularly inflammatory note, Bryan threatened to resign if it was sent. Wilson didn't back down. Bryan sent the note, then resigned. Letterjoy members received Bryan's note and the German response. |
 |
And More...We have a long list of amazing letters we look forward to sharing with you. In fact, we have so many that we had to save some for Part II (coming in 2024) - Stay tuned! |
Please note: Authors are subject to change
Ready To Liven Up Your Mail?
Explore World War I, World War II, the Civil War, and more through letters mailed to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I give "Letters On Military History" to?
Letters On Military History is a good gift for any military history buff.
This collection is ideal for both voracious readers who plow through World War II biographies and casual history lovers looking for a weekly dose of interesting history.
This collection is most popular as a Christmas or Father's Day gift, but it's also popular for birthdays, retirements (particularly for veterans who delight in the history of their service), graduations, and saying "thanks" to a history-loving teacher.
I see this is a "from the vault" collection. What does that mean?
If you haven't purchased Letterjoy before, "from the vault" means you'll be getting a collection of our very best letters, hand-picked from the hundreds we've shared over the years (and the tens of thousands we've considered for publication).
If you have purchased Letterjoy before, "from the vault" means that you may receive a few letters that we've mailed to you before.
Can I give this collection to myself?
Of course. If you enjoy reading books about military history or visiting battlefields and museums, you'll love this collection. Treat yourself.
Can I give this collection to a group?
Yes. Group pricing is available. Want to use this in your high school or college classroom? Email groups[at]letterjoy[dot]co to receive our educator-only rates.
Do you offer a discount for veterans and active-duty members of the US military?
We do. If you qualify, please email Support[at]letterjoy[dot]co to claim your discount.
Are these "real" letters?
Yes. The historical letters we share are reproductions of real letters (or telegrams) written by famous authors and figures from throughout American military history. They are sourced from some of the finest archives, special collections, and private collections on the planet.
What topics do these letters discuss?
Our assortment of letters is constantly changing, but all members of this collection will receive letters covering (among other conflicts) the American Revolution, WWI, WWI, the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, the American Civil War, and the Cold War.
Organizations featured in letters in every membership include the Continental Army, the US Army, the US Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, the Union, the Confederacy, and the CIA.
Do you mail internationally?
Yes. We mail around the world. Letters mailed to addresses outside the United States (excluding APOs, FPOs, and DPOs) will incur a modest international postage surcharge.
Do you have a gift welcome letter available?
We do. You can download our customizable explanation letter here.
When will my first letter arrive?
Letters are sent via first-class mail once every week. Newly activated orders usually go out in the first mailing of the month selected at checkout. Activation takes 10 days from date of purchase.
How do I change my mailing address?
Recently moved? On an extended vacation? You can change your address right from our self-serve member portal (Members.letterjoy.co). Log in using your name and the email address of the person who purchased your membership.
I have another question...
Send us a message or email Support[at]letterjoy[dot]co (Yes, not .com). We love answering your questions and we're here to help.
You've Reached The End Of The Page...
Ready to get letters from American military history mailed to your door?
