J

John McPhee

Bestselling Author • 4 Series • 48 Books

4
Series
48
Books
4
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
Start with: A Sense of Where You Are (1965)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Annals of the Former World Books
Start with: Basin and Range (1981)

About John McPhee

Coming into the Country is a story about Alaska and its inhabitants. This story starts with a brief on Alaska in the early 1960s. During this time, the land was covered with darkness, and the winter had lasted for half a century. While the people of Alaska are resilient and adapted to harsh climatic conditions, they were tired of the cold and snow. A fantastic thing happened early in 1964 when the sun appeared just when Alaska was under siege thanks to the Russian invaders. McPhee, intrigued by the bizarre appearance of the sun only when the Alaskans needed it coupled with visions he had about this region, made a trip to Alaska. Here, he spent his days exploring the land and interviewing people who had lived here for ages. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, John McPhee has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by John McPhee

Publication Order of John McPhee Reader Books
2 books 1976–1996
1

The John McPhee Reader

The John McPhee Reader is an essential installment in the Publication Order of John McPhee Reader Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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1976
2

The Second John McPhee Reader

The Second John McPhee Reader continues the Publication Order of John McPhee Reader Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1996
Publication Order of Annals of the Former World Books
5 books 1981–1998
1

Basin and Range

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Annals of the Former World Books with Basin and Range, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1981
2

In Suspect Terrain

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Annals of the Former World Books with In Suspect Terrain, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1983
3

Rising from the Plains

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Annals of the Former World Books with Rising from the Plains, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1986
4

Assembling California

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Annals of the Former World Books with Assembling California, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1992
5

Annals of the Former World

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Annals of the Former World Books with Annals of the Former World, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1998
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
37 books 1965–2023
1

A Sense of Where You Are

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with A Sense of Where You Are, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1965
2

The Headmaster

The Headmaster continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1966
3

Oranges

Oranges continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1967
4

The Pine Barrens

The Pine Barrens continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1967
5

A Roomful of Hovings

A Roomful of Hovings continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1968
6

Levels of the Game

Levels of the Game is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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1969
7

The Crofter and the Laird

The Crofter and the Laird continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1970
8

Encounters with the Archdruid

Encounters with the Archdruid is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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1971
9

Giving Good Weight

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Giving Good Weight, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1972
10

Wimbledon

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Wimbledon, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1972
11

The Deltoid Pumpkin Seed

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Deltoid Pumpkin Seed, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1973
12

The Curve of Binding Energy

The Curve of Binding Energy continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1974
13

Pieces of the Frame

Pieces of the Frame continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1975
14

The Survival of the Bark Canoe

The Survival of the Bark Canoe is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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1975
15

Coming into the Country

Coming into the Country is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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1977
16

La Place de la Concorde Suisse

La Place de la Concorde Suisse is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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1983
17

Riding the Boom Extension

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Riding the Boom Extension, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1983
18

Table of Contents

Table of Contents continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1985
19

In The Highlands And The Islands

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with In The Highlands And The Islands, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1986
20

Heirs of General Practice

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Heirs of General Practice, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1986
21

Outcroppings

Outcroppings is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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1988
22

The Control of Nature

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Control of Nature, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1989
23

Looking for a Ship

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Looking for a Ship, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1990
24

Cargo

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Cargo, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1993
25

The Ransom of Russian Art

The Ransom of Russian Art continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1994
26

Turning the World Upside Down

Turning the World Upside Down is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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1995
27

Irons in the Fire

Irons in the Fire is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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1997
28

Instructor's Manual to Accompany Worldly Wisdom by Daniel Bonevac

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Instructor's Manual to Accompany Worldly Wisdom by Daniel Bonevac, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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2001
29

The Princeton Anthology of Writing

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Princeton Anthology of Writing, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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2001
30

The Founding Fish

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Founding Fish, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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2002
31

The American Shad

The American Shad continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2004
32

Uncommon Carriers

Uncommon Carriers is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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2006
33

Silk Parachute

Silk Parachute continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2010
34

The Princeton Reader

The Princeton Reader continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2010
35

Draft No. 4

Draft No. 4 continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2013
36

The Patch

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Patch, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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2018
37

Tabula Rasa: Volume 1

Tabula Rasa: Volume 1 continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2023
Publication Order of Anthologies
4 books 1992–2007
1

The Great Bear

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Great Bear, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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1992
2

Life Stories

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Life Stories, another outstanding contribution from John McPhee.

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2000
3

Touchstone Anthology of Contemporary Creative Nonfiction

Touchstone Anthology of Contemporary Creative Nonfiction continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with John McPhee's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2007
4

Secret Ingredients

Secret Ingredients is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of John McPhee have come to expect.

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2007

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is John McPhee?

John McPhee is a bestselling author known for 4 book series containing over 48 books. Popular series include Publication Order of John McPhee Reader Books, Publication Order of Annals of the Former World Books, Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best John McPhee series to start with?

For readers new to John McPhee's work, the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 37 books. Begin with A Sense of Where You Are to start from the very beginning.

How many books has John McPhee written?

John McPhee has written over 48 books across 4 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read John McPhee books in order?

Yes, reading John McPhee's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does John McPhee write in?

John McPhee writes primarily in fiction. With 4 series across 48 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are John McPhee's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of John McPhee's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is John McPhee's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, John McPhee's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series. The first book, A Sense of Where You Are, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.