Order of Wilbur Smith Books
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
Chronological Order of Courtney Books
Publication Order of Jack Courtney Books
| Cloudburst | (2020) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Thunderbolt | (2021) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Shockwave | (2022) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
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 | (2020) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Fire on the Horizon | (2024) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Chronological Order of Ballantyne Books
| Call of the Raven | (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 |
| Fire on the Horizon | (2024) | 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 | (2021) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Titans of War | (2022) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Testament | (2023) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Chronological Order of Ancient Egypt Books
| The New Kingdom | (2021) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Titans of War | (2022) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| 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 |
| Testament | (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 | (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…
Just a general comment and perhaps encouragement for anyone reluctant to dip into WS. My wife found The Sunbird in late 1972/early 1973. We had just moved to a new house, I was studying for the actuarial exams and our third child had arrived. Her description did not get to me and I ignored her exhortations. A year or so later I remembered the author’s name and found his first book in the library in Stirling, read it in a weekend and went looking for more………
I am rebuying the early ones as Kindle books (now £5 rather than 5 bob!) along with the later books (co-authored and not the same but still very readable)
I have not been disappointed yet and have reread half of the Courtney series.
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.
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!!
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
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.
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
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
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.
Try Robert Ludlum. You won’t regret
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
That’s something we are working on 🙂
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….
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.
I have read all books except King of Kings and the final one (memoir). Wonderful reading.
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.
in chronological order is great even though I didn’t. Fab!
Did Wilbur Smith write a book by the name of Witwatersrand?
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
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.