John Steinbeck books in order
All 28 books by John Steinbeck in order of publication (1929 to 2012), with a one-line summary of each and where to start.
28 books1929 to 2012
Where to start
The Grapes of Wrath (1939)
One family, one road, and the grapes of wrath ripening in every soul.
Read the summaryIn order of publication
All John Steinbeck books
Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History
1929
Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History is John Steinbeck's first novel, a work of historical fiction based loosely on the life and death of 17th-century privateer Henry…
To a God Unknown
1933
To a God Unknown is a novel by John Steinbeck, first published in 1933.
Tortilla Flat
1935
Knights of the wine bottle: Danny's Round Table of penniless paisanos
Read the summaryIn Dubious Battle
1936
In Dubious Battle is a novel by John Steinbeck, written in 1936.
The Red Pony
1937
The Red Pony is an episodic novella written by American writer John Steinbeck in 1933.
The Long Valley
1938
The Long Valley is a collection of short fiction by John Steinbeck.
The Grapes of Wrath
1939Start here
One family, one road, and the grapes of wrath ripening in every soul.
Read the summaryThe Forgotten Village
1941
Novella by John Steinbeck.
The Log from the Sea of Cortez
1941
The Log from the Sea of Cortez is an English-language book written by American author John Steinbeck and published in 1951.
Bombs Away: The Story of a Bomber Team
1942
Bombs Away: The Story of a Bomber Team is a non-fiction book by the American author John Steinbeck.
The Moon Is Down
1942
The Moon Is Down is a 1942 novel by American writer John Steinbeck.
Cannery Row
1945
A thank-you party for the kindest man on the Row wrecks his lab — so they owe him another one.
Read the summaryThe Pearl
1947
A poor diver finds the perfect pearl—and it costs him everything he loves.
Read the summaryThe Wayward Bus
1947
The Wayward Bus is a novel by American author John Steinbeck, published in 1947.
A Russian Journal
1948
A Russian Journal, published by John Steinbeck in April 1948, is an eyewitness account of his travels through the Soviet Union during the early years of the Cold War era.
Burning Bright
1950
Burning Bright is a 1950 novella by John Steinbeck written as an experiment with producing a play in novel format.
East of Eden
1952
Two brothers, one cursed name, and a single word that sets them free.
Read the summarySweet Thursday
1954
Sweet Thursday is a 1954 novel by John Steinbeck.
The Short Reign of Pippin IV
1957
The Short Reign of Pippin IV: A Fabrication is a novella by John Steinbeck published in 1957; his only political satire, the book pokes fun at French politics.
Once There Was a War
1958
Once There Was a War, published in 1958, is a collection of articles written by John Steinbeck while he was a special war correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune from June to December 1943.
The Winter of Our Discontent
1961
The Winter of Our Discontent is John Steinbeck's last novel, published in 1961.
Travels with Charley
1962
Travels with Charley: In Search of America is a 1962 travelogue written by American author John Steinbeck.
America and Americans
1966
America and Americans is a 1966 collection of John Steinbeck's journalism.
Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters
1969
Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters is a letter collection written by the American author John Steinbeck to his friend and editor Pascal Covici, in parallel with the first draft of his longest novel, East of…
The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights
1976
The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights is John Steinbeck's retelling of the Arthurian legend, based on the Winchester Manuscript text of Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur.
Working Days
1989
Memoir by John Steinbeck.
Steinbeck in Vietnam
2012
Steinbeck in Vietnam: Dispatches from the War is an autobiographical book written by John Steinbeck, laureate of Nobel Prize in Literature and Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, edited by Thomas E. Barden and published by…
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How many books has John Steinbeck written?
This list covers 28 books by John Steinbeck, published from 1929 to 2012.
What are John Steinbeck's books in order?
John Steinbeck's books in publication order: 1. Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History (1929), 2. To a God Unknown (1933), 3. Tortilla Flat (1935), 4. In Dubious Battle (1936), 5. Of Mice and Men (1937), 6. The Red Pony (1937), 7. The Long Valley (1938), 8. The Grapes of Wrath (1939), 9. The Forgotten Village (1941), 10. The Log from the Sea of Cortez (1941), 11. Bombs Away: The Story of a Bomber Team (1942), 12. The Moon Is Down (1942), 13. Cannery Row (1945), 14. The Pearl (1947), 15. The Wayward Bus (1947), 16. A Russian Journal (1948), 17. Burning Bright (1950), 18. East of Eden (1952), 19. Sweet Thursday (1954), 20. The Short Reign of Pippin IV (1957), 21. Once There Was a War (1958), 22. The Winter of Our Discontent (1961), 23. Travels with Charley (1962), 24. America and Americans (1966), 25. Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters (1969), 26. The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights (1976), 27. Working Days (1989), 28. Steinbeck in Vietnam (2012).
What was John Steinbeck's first book?
Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History, published in 1929.
Which John Steinbeck book should I read first?
A good place to start is The Grapes of Wrath (1939).
What is John Steinbeck's latest book?
The most recent book on this list is Steinbeck in Vietnam (2012).
John Steinbeck series
Books and publication years are checked against Wikidata and Open Library. Titles link to our summary when we have one.