In keeping with the season, it seems like a fine idea to compile some of the best war writing of 2011 for those who may have missed out.

As I researched around the web, remembering stories I’d read over the year, I kept being drawn to one site in particular that had already made a list of the best of 2011. Longform.org is a relatively new site that points readers in the direction of, well, long magazine articles. The site has been gaining popularity and their Best War Stories of 2011 list makes it easy to see why — they know their stuff.

I’d quibble with the order they place the stories in, however, but that’s minor.

For example, Canadian journalist and Legion Magazine contributor Matthieu Aikins comes in tenth for his amazing story on the life and times of one of our most difficult allies in Afghanistan. I’d say he’s a lot closer to the top. You don’t see reporting that fearless every day.

That said, Longform did nail the best story of the year. The inside story of the raid that killed Osama, by Nicholas Schmidle, is just too good to not go to the top.

Regardless, head on over to see the entire list at Longform and read away.