S

Simon Winchester

Bestselling Author • 2 Series • 38 Books

2
Series
38
Books
2
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
Start with: In Holy Terror (1975)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Anthologies
Start with: By the Seat of My Pants (2005)

About Simon Winchester

Simon Winchester is an English journalist and author of History, Nonfiction and Travel novels based in Massachusetts, United States. Through his career working for the British daily newspaper, The Guardian, Winchester covered several significant events including the Watergate Scandal and Bloody Sunday. As an author, he has contributed and written over a dozen non-fiction, and his articles have been featured in various travel publications including Smithsonian Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, and National Geographic. Born in London, the author attended boarding schools in Dorset. He spends twelve months hitchhiking in the United States and 1963; he joined St. Catherine College in Oxford where he majored in Geology. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, Simon Winchester 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 Simon Winchester

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
36 books 1975–2025
1

In Holy Terror

In Holy Terror continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1975
2

American Heartbeat

American Heartbeat explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by Simon Winchester.

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1976
3

Their Noble Lordships: Class and Power in Modern Britain

Their Noble Lordships: Class and Power in Modern Britain is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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1981
4

Prison Diary, Argentina

Prison Diary, Argentina continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1984
5

Outposts: Journeys to the Surviving Relics of the British Empire

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Outposts: Journeys to the Surviving Relics of the British Empire, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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1985
6

The Sun Never Sets: travels to the Remaining Outposts of the British Empire

The Sun Never Sets: travels to the Remaining Outposts of the British Empire is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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1985
7

Korea: A Walk Through the Land of Miracles

Korea: A Walk Through the Land of Miracles continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1988
8

The Rise and Fall of Travel

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Rise and Fall of Travel, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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1989
9

Pacific Nightmare : How Japan Starts World War III

Conflict and courage define Pacific Nightmare : How Japan Starts World War III, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by Simon Winchester that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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1991
10

Pacific Rising: The Emergence of a New World Culture

Pacific Rising: The Emergence of a New World Culture continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1991
11

Hong Kong: Here Be Dragons

Epic adventure awaits in Hong Kong: Here Be Dragons, a landmark entry in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series that raises the stakes across the realm Simon Winchester has built.

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1992
12

The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time

The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1996
13

The Surgeon of Crowthorne

The Surgeon of Crowthorne continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1998
14

The Professor and the Madman

The Professor and the Madman continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1998
15

The Fracture Zone: My Return to the Balkans

The Fracture Zone: My Return to the Balkans is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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1999
16

The Map That Changed the World

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Map That Changed the World, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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2001
17

The Meaning Of Everything

The Meaning Of Everything continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2003
18

Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883

Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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2003
19

Simon Winchester's Calcutta

Simon Winchester's Calcutta is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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2004
20

A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906

A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906 continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2005
21

The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom

The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by Simon Winchester.

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2008
22

Bomb, Book and Compass: Joseph Needham and the Great Secrets of China

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Bomb, Book and Compass: Joseph Needham and the Great Secrets of China, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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2008
23

The Best American Travel Writing 2009

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Best American Travel Writing 2009, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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2009
24

Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms, and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories

Conflict and courage define Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms, and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by Simon Winchester that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2009
25

The Alice Behind Wonderland

The Alice Behind Wonderland continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2011
26

Skulls: An Exploration of Alan Dudley's Curious Collection

Skulls: An Exploration of Alan Dudley's Curious Collection is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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2012
27

The Man With The Electrified Brain: Story of a Man with an Electrified Brain

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Man With The Electrified Brain: Story of a Man with an Electrified Brain, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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2013
28

The Men Who United the States: America's Explorers, Inventors, Eccentrics, and Mavericks, and the Creation of One Nation, Indivisible

The Men Who United the States: America's Explorers, Inventors, Eccentrics, and Mavericks, and the Creation of One Nation, Indivisible is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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2013
29

When the Earth Shakes: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with When the Earth Shakes: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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2015
30

Pacific

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

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2015
31

When the Sky Breaks: Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and the Worst Weather in the World

When the Sky Breaks: Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and the Worst Weather in the World continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2017
32

Exactly / The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World

Exactly / The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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2018
33

The End of the River

The End of the River continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Simon Winchester's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2020
34

Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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2021
35

Knowing What We Know

Knowing What We Know is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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2023
36

The Breath of the Gods

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Breath of the Gods, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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2025
Publication Order of Anthologies
2 books 2005–2013
1

By the Seat of My Pants

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with By the Seat of My Pants, another outstanding contribution from Simon Winchester.

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2005
2

Unsavory Elements

Unsavory Elements is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Simon Winchester have come to expect.

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2013

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Simon Winchester?

Simon Winchester is a bestselling author known for 2 book series containing over 38 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books, Publication Order of Anthologies. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Simon Winchester series to start with?

For readers new to Simon Winchester's work, the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 36 books. Begin with In Holy Terror to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Simon Winchester written?

Simon Winchester has written over 38 books across 2 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Simon Winchester books in order?

Yes, reading Simon Winchester'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 Simon Winchester write in?

Simon Winchester writes primarily in fiction. With 2 series across 38 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Simon Winchester's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Simon Winchester'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 Simon Winchester's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Simon Winchester's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series. The first book, In Holy Terror, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.