🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About James L. Nelson
The American author James L. Nelson has been writing for some years now, with his unique brand of historical nautical adventures that have gone on to be appreciated worldwide. Producing a number of novels, he has taken the genre to greater heights, with his unique and distinctive take on it. Placing realistic character against the more classic tropes of the genre, he’s managed to build a vast and extensive backlog. With a keen eye for historical accuracy he’s managed to create a series of books that bring the past to life for his readers. Taking to the seas for many of his stories, he’s also managed to convey a very real sense of what it was like on the ocean many years ago.
All Book Series by James L. Nelson
The Midgard Serpent of Viking Age England
Latest in the series · book 13 of 13 · published 2020
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is James L. Nelson?
The American author James L. Nelson has been writing for some years now, with his unique brand of historical nautical adventures that have gone on to be appreciated worldwide. Producing a number of novels, he has taken the genre to greater heights, with his unique and distinctive take on it.
Which James L. Nelson series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Isaac Biddlecomb series, the earliest of James L. Nelson's multi-book series: it opens with By Force of Arms (1996) and runs to 6 books across 1996–2022, ending with The Falmouth Frigate (2022). James L. Nelson's other series stand alone, so they can be read in any order.
How many books has James L. Nelson written?
James L. Nelson has 35 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1996 and 2026. 28 of them belong to 6 named series — the largest being The Norsemen Saga series with 13 books — and 7 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should James L. Nelson's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. James L. Nelson's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Isaac Biddlecomb (1996–2022, 6 books), Thomas Marlowe (2000–2002, 3 books) and Samuel Bowater (2003–2005, 2 books), plus 3 more.
How are James L. Nelson's books organised into series?
This guide splits James L. Nelson's 35 books into 6 named series and 7 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: The Norsemen Saga (13 books, 2013–2025); Isaac Biddlecomb (6 books, 1996–2022); Blood, Steel, and Empire (3 books, 2021–2026); Thomas Marlowe (3 books, 2000–2002); Samuel Bowater (2 books, 2003–2005), plus 1 further series.