Wilbur Smith was an Anglo-African novelist of historical adventure novels. Having been born in what is now Zambia (and was once Northern Rhodesia), he largely writes about his former home continent. He is the author of three series – the Courtney Family series, the Ballatyne Family series and the Egyptian series. Smith lived in London, but his passion and concern for his native continent remains.

Wilbur sadly passed away on November 13th, 2021.

Smith’s father was not supportive of his love for reading and writing and told him to “get a real job.” However, after a career in accounting and divorce left him destitute, he decided to make a career change. Smith’s first novel was When the Lion Feeds in 1964. Since then, Smith has written over 30 novels. Below is a list of Wilbur Smith’s books in order of when they were originally published and also in their chronological order:

Publication Order of Courtney Books

When the Lion Feeds (1964)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Sound of Thunder / The Roar of Thunder (1966)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Sparrow Falls (1977)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Burning Shore (1985)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Power of the Sword (1986)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Rage (1987)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Time to Die (1989)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Golden Fox (1990)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Triumph of the Sun (1992)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Birds of Prey (1997)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Monsoon (1999)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Blue Horizon (2003)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Assegai (2009)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Golden Lion (With: Giles Kristian) (2015)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
War Cry (With: David Churchill) (2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Tiger's Prey (With: Tom Harper) (2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Courtney's War (With: David Churchill) (2018)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
King of Kings (2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Ghost Fire (With: Tom Harper) (2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Legacy of War (With: David Churchill) (2021)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Storm Tide (With: Tom Harper) (2022)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Nemesis (With: Tom Harper) (2023)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Warrior King (With: Tom Harper) (2024)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Chronological Order of Courtney Books

Birds of Prey(1997)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Golden Lion (With: Giles Kristian)(2015)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Monsoon(1999)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Tiger's Prey (With: Tom Harper)(2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Blue Horizon(2003)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Ghost Fire (With: Tom Harper)(2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Storm Tide (With: Tom Harper)(2022)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Nemesis (With: Tom Harper)(2023)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
When the Lion Feeds(1964)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Triumph of the Sun(1992)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
King of Kings(2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Sound of Thunder / The Roar of Thunder(1966)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Assegai(2009)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Burning Shore(1985)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Sparrow Falls(1977)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
War Cry (With: David Churchill)(2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Courtney's War (With: David Churchill)(2018)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Legacy of War (With: David Churchill)(2021)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Power of the Sword(1986)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Rage(1987)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Golden Fox(1990)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Time to Die(1989)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Warrior King (With: Tom Harper)(2024)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Jack Courtney Books

Publication Order of Ballantyne Books

A Falcon Flies / Flight of the Falcon (1980)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Men of Men (1981)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Angels Weep (1982)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Leopard Hunts in Darkness (1984)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Triumph of the Sun (1992)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
King of Kings (2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Call of the Raven (With: Corban Addison) (2020)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Chronological Order of Ballantyne Books

Call of the Raven (With: Corban Addison)(2020)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Falcon Flies / Flight of the Falcon(1980)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Men of Men(1981)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Triumph of the Sun(1992)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Triumph of the Sun(1992)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
King of Kings(2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
King of Kings(2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Angels Weep(1982)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Leopard Hunts in Darkness(1984)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Ancient Egypt Books

River God (1994)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Seventh Scroll (1995)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Warlock (1995)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Quest (2007)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Desert God (2014)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Pharaoh (2016)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The New Kingdom (With: Mark Chadbourn) (2021)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Titans of War (With: Mark Chadbourn) (2022)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Testament (With: Mark Chadbourn) (2023)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Chronological Order of Ancient Egypt Books

River God(1994)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Desert God(2014)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Pharaoh(2016)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Warlock(1995)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Quest(2007)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Seventh Scroll(1995)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The New Kingdom (With: Mark Chadbourn)(2021)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Titans of War (With: Mark Chadbourn)(2022)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Testament (With: Mark Chadbourn)(2023)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Hector Cross Books

Those in Peril (2011)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Vicious Circle (2013)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Predator (With: Tom Cain) (2016)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

The Dark of the Sun / The Train from Katanga (1965)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Shout at the Devil (1968)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Gold Mine (1970)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Diamond Hunters (1971)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Sunbird (1972)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Eye of the Tiger (1974)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Cry Wolf (1976)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Hungry as the Sea (1978)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Wild Justice / The Delta Decision (1979)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Eagle in the Sky (1980)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Elephant Song (1991)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

On Leopard Rock (2018)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Note: Wild Justice was also published as The Delta Decision in the USA. Predator was co-authored by Tom Cain. The Jack Courtney series is co-authored by Christopher Wakling. Call of the Raven was written with Corban Addison.

If You Like Wilbur Smith Books, You’ll Love…

Order of Books » Authors » Order of Wilbur Smith Books

18 Responses to “Order of Wilbur Smith Books”

  1. col s jinnette: 2 years ago

    i found the sunbird and the seventh scroll to be totally engrossing. mr smiths scope and knowledge of what he writes is obvious; which begs the question of was he ever in the military or just had an advisor? his description of a fire fight was familiar for this two tour vietnam vet.

    Reply

  2. Ian Featherstone: 2 years ago

    I only found out on this site that my favourite author Wilbur Smith had passed away, such a loss to the many readers of his books. I first read ‘When The Lion Feeds’ while I was still at school in 1965, and have been an avid reader ever since!!
    One point I would like to make is that he should never have collaborated with other authors because unfortunately their influence detracted from the original style of the trilogy of the Courtney saga!! If I wanted romance I would have read Mills and Boon!! His later work was far too mushy for my taste due to these other ‘so called’ hacks, shame on them!!

    Reply

  3. Robert Patterson: 2 years ago

    Thank you for thrilling me over the years. Every book has taken me on a thrilling journey keeping me awake well into the early hours of the morning. We will miss you Wilbur Smith.
    16 November 2021

    Reply

  4. Mike Boot: 2 years ago

    I’m now 73 years of age and beginning to grasp new technology. I started reading Wilbur from the first of his books back in 1964 and have read every one of his books with avid attention.Long may it continue.
    Many Thanks Wilbur.

    Reply

  5. Peter: 3 years ago

    I stated reading w s in the 1070s stopped when I finished working 2001 and restored about 4 years ago so not sure if have read them all ithi k so on time to die Ballantine series so latest one still nor read

    Reply

  6. Peter Reeves: 3 years ago

    I HAVE READ ALL OF HIS BOOKS EXCEPT LEGACY OF WAR AND CALL OF THE RAVEN ALWAYS A RIVETTING READ I HAVE TO TURN JUST ONE MORE PAGE BEFORE I PUT THEM DOWN PROBABLY ONE OF THE WORLDS GREATEST STORY TELLERS

    Reply

    • Mel: 3 years ago

      No “probably” about it, he is hands down the greatest writer ever!! I would be very interested to know who you may think is just as good so I can find another good line of books to read.

      Reply

      • johan calitz: 3 years ago

        Try Robert Ludlum. You won’t regret

        Reply

  7. Lina Martin: 3 years ago

    I’m never sure when a new book is released as we no longer have a book shop only rely on Variety stores getting them in I’d love some sort of prompt or flag when a new book is released

    Reply

    • Graeme: 3 years ago

      That’s something we are working on 🙂

      Reply

  8. James Kearns: 3 years ago

    I have 37 of Wilbur Smiths book and have just read them for the second time. I enjoy his books more than any other writer..
    Im looking for 9 more and I will find them..
    I have them in a box marked for my grandson and will give them to him when I think he is age appropriate..
    He turns 13 next month and loves to read….

    Reply

    • dusty: 3 years ago

      Hi James
      I get you. I read my favorite books more than once, and I have just started River God for the third time. Wilbur is one of my all time favorite authors. I’ve read all his books at least once.

      Reply

  9. Pat: 4 years ago

    I have read all books except King of Kings and the final one (memoir). Wonderful reading.

    Reply

  10. Danny Roberts: 6 years ago

    Hi, I have been trying to find a WS book for years. I read it a long time ago, and I can not find it.
    Its about a young guy who goes out in the bush, along the way he meets an old guy. They are looking for either Gold or Diamonds. They look in Rivers, Creeks.
    I am rereading WS books and this one is the only one I cannot find.
    Can you help me find it? Cheers Danny Roberts.

    Reply

  11. jerry: 9 years ago

    in chronological order is great even though I didn’t. Fab!

    Reply

  12. Sylvia: 9 years ago

    Did Wilbur Smith write a book by the name of Witwatersrand?

    Reply

    • Vixiewp: 8 years ago

      Hi Sylvia, I hope you still visit this site and find my answer. The book called Witwatersrand is the Afrikaans version of When the Lion Feeds, his first book

      Reply

  13. Not1knowsme: 9 years ago

    On Wilbur Smith’s Bibliography here:

    http://www.wilbursmithbooks.com/books

    he answers the question from fans as to what order he believes his books should be read: just wanted to mention it in case anyone was interested.

    I love this site and use it at least once a week. I share the link every chance I get, post it on Amazon and am very grateful you are here.

    Reply

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