Article writing and the use of primary and secondary sources.

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on the use of sources in magazine articles and whether is it is acceptable to quote from books. I am currently gathering sources regarding the 4th Fighter Group. While I have quite a few primary sources I have not had the opportunity to interview any of the people I am writing about, nor do I have access to any interviews. Therefore I am curious as to the practices of using their memoirs to bring life into some of the rather matter-of-fact encounter reports I have.

I am used to referencing through academic writing but I am new to magazine writing, only having my first article published last year.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ben