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Michael Palin

Bestselling Author • 7 Series • 31 Books

7
Series
31
Books
7
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
Start with: Dr. Fegg's Encyclopeadia of All World Knowledge: Formerly The Nasty Book (1976)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: Hemingway's Chair (1995)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Picture Books
Start with: Small Harry And The Toothache Pills (1982)

About Michael Palin

He was born in Broomhill, Sheffield on May 5, 1943, the only son and the second child of Mary Rachel Lockhart and Edward Moreton Palin. He was educated at Shrewsbury and Birkdale School. Angela, his sister, was nine years older than him, despite this age difference the two had a close relationship until her suicide in the year 1987. Palin, when he was just five years old, had his very first acting experience at Birkdale where he played Martha Cratchit in a school performance of A Christmas Carol. When he was ten, he, while still interested in acting, made a comedy monologue and read a Shakespeare play to his mom while he played all the parts. After he left Shrewsbury in the year 1962, he went on to read modern history at Brasenose College, Oxford. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, Michael Palin 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 Michael Palin

Publication Order of Palin Diaries Books
4 books 2006–2024
1

Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Palin Diaries Books with Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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2006
2

Halfway To Hollywood: Diaries 1980-1988

Halfway To Hollywood: Diaries 1980-1988 continues the Publication Order of Palin Diaries Books story arc with Michael Palin's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2009
3

Travelling to Work: Diaries 1988–1998

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Palin Diaries Books with Travelling to Work: Diaries 1988–1998, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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2014
4

There and Back

There and Back is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Palin Diaries Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Michael Palin have come to expect.

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2024
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
2 books 1995–2012
1

Hemingway's Chair

Hemingway's Chair is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Michael Palin have come to expect.

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1995
2

The Truth

The Truth continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Michael Palin's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2012
Publication Order of Picture Books
2 books 1982–1988
1

Small Harry And The Toothache Pills

Small Harry And The Toothache Pills is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Picture Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Michael Palin have come to expect.

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1982
2

Cyril and the House of Commons

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Picture Books with Cyril and the House of Commons, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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1988
Publication Order of Plays
2 books 1983–1994
1

The Missionary

The Missionary continues the Publication Order of Plays story arc with Michael Palin's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1983
2

The Weekend

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Plays with The Weekend, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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1994
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
18 books 1976–2025
1

Dr. Fegg's Encyclopeadia of All World Knowledge: Formerly The Nasty Book

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Dr. Fegg's Encyclopeadia of All World Knowledge: Formerly The Nasty Book, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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1976
2

Bert Fegg's Nasty Book For Boys And Girls

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Bert Fegg's Nasty Book For Boys And Girls, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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1976
3

Limericks

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Limericks, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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1985
4

Around the World in 80 Days: Companion to the PBS Series

Around the World in 80 Days: Companion to the PBS Series is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Michael Palin have come to expect.

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1990
5

Pole to Pole

Pole to Pole continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Michael Palin's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1992
6

Full Circle: One Man's Journey by Air, Train, Boat and Occasionally Very Sore Feet Around the 20.000 Miles of the Pacific Rim

Full Circle: One Man's Journey by Air, Train, Boat and Occasionally Very Sore Feet Around the 20.000 Miles of the Pacific Rim is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Michael Palin have come to expect.

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1997
7

Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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1999
8

Michael Palin Travels The World

Michael Palin Travels The World is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Michael Palin have come to expect.

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1999
9

Sahara

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

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2002
10

Himalaya

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Himalaya, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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2004
11

New Europe

New Europe continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Michael Palin's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2007
12

Brazil

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

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2012
13

Monty Python at Work

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Monty Python at Work, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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2014
14

A Sackful of Limericks

A Sackful of Limericks continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Michael Palin's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2016
15

Erebus: One Ship, Two Epic Voyages, and the Greatest Naval Mystery of All Time

Erebus: One Ship, Two Epic Voyages, and the Greatest Naval Mystery of All Time continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Michael Palin's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2018
16

North Korea Journal

North Korea Journal is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Michael Palin have come to expect.

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2019
17

Great-Uncle Harry: A Tale of War and Empire

Conflict and courage define Great-Uncle Harry: A Tale of War and Empire, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by Michael Palin that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2023
18

Michael Palin in Venezuela

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Michael Palin in Venezuela, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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2025
Publication Order of A Pocketful of Python Books
2 books 2000–2000
1

A Pocketful of Python: Vol 3

A Pocketful of Python: Vol 3 continues the Publication Order of A Pocketful of Python Books story arc with Michael Palin's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2000
2

A Pocketful of Python: Vol. 4

A Pocketful of Python: Vol. 4 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of A Pocketful of Python Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Michael Palin have come to expect.

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2000
Publication Order of Anthologies
1 books 2014–2014
1

Irresponsible Traveller: Tales of Scrapes and Narrow Escapes

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Irresponsible Traveller: Tales of Scrapes and Narrow Escapes, another outstanding contribution from Michael Palin.

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2014

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Michael Palin?

Michael Palin is a bestselling author known for 7 book series containing over 31 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Palin Diaries Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Picture Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Michael Palin series to start with?

For readers new to Michael Palin's work, the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 18 books. Begin with Dr. Fegg's Encyclopeadia of All World Knowledge: Formerly The Nasty Book to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Michael Palin written?

Michael Palin has written over 31 books across 7 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Michael Palin books in order?

Yes, reading Michael Palin'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 Michael Palin write in?

Michael Palin writes primarily in fiction. With 7 series across 31 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Michael Palin's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Michael Palin'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 Michael Palin's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Michael Palin's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series. The first book, Dr. Fegg's Encyclopeadia of All World Knowledge: Formerly The Nasty Book, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.