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Robert Jordan Reading Order Guide.

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69 Works Cataloged

James Oliver Rigney Jr. (October 17, 1948 – September 16, 2007), known by his pen name Robert Jordan, was an American author known for his epic fantasy series *The Wheel of Time*. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Jordan developed a passion for storytelling and served two tours in Vietnam before pursuing a writing career in 1977. Jordan is best known for *The Wheel of Time*, a sprawling fantasy saga that combines intricate world-building, complex characters, and a richly detailed magic system. The series spans fourteen books and a prequel novel, with the first volume, [*The Eye of the World*][1], published in 1990. The narrative explores themes of prophecy, destiny, and the struggle between good and evil, set in a meticulously crafted world with its own history, cultures, and languages. After Jordan's passing in 2007, fellow fantasy author [Brandon Sanderson][2] was chosen to complete the series using Jordan's extensive notes and outlines. The final three books were published between 2009 and 2013, bringing the epic saga to a conclusion. Jordan was one of several writers who contributed to the *Conan the Barbarian* series, with his works considered among the best by fans. He wrote seven Conan novels, and compiled a well-known Conan Chronology. In addition to his fantasy writing, Jordan used various pseudonyms for different genres: Reagan O'Neal for historical novels set during the American Revolution, Jackson O'Reilly for a western novel, and Chang Lung for his dance and theater criticism. Jordan's ability to create immersive worlds and compelling characters has earned him a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades. His work on *The Wheel of Time* series has sold over 90 million copies worldwide and was adapted into a television series by Amazon Prime Video in 2021. His favorite authors included: [Robert A. Heinlein][7], [John D. MacDonald][8], [Louis L'Amour][9], [Jane Austen][10], [Charles Dickens][11], [Mark Twain][12], and [Montaigne][13]. Fantasy authors he enjoyed included: [Tad Williams][14], [Robert Holdstock][15], [Raymond E. Feist][16], [Janny Wurts][17], [Barry Hughart][18], and [C. S. Friedman][19]. (Sources:[1][37],[2][38],[3][39]) ---------- *The Wheel of Time* Series in Order: 1. [*The Eye of the World*][23] (1990) 2. [*The Great Hunt*][24] (1990) 3. [*The Dragon Reborn*][25] (1991) 4. [*The Shadow Rising*][26] (1992) 5. [*The Fires of Heaven*][27] (1993) 6. [*Lord of Chaos*][28] (1994) 7. [*A Crown of Swords*][29] (1996) 8. [*The Path of Daggers*][30] (1998) 9. [*Winter's Heart*][31] (2000) 10. [*Crossroads of Twilight*][32] (2003) 0. [*New Spring*][22] (2004) - Prequel 11. [*Knife of Dreams*][33] (2005) 12. [*The Gathering Storm*][34] (2009) - Completed by Brandon Sanderson 13. [*Towers of Midnight*][35] (2010) - Completed by Brandon Sanderson 14. [*A Memory of Light*][36] (2013) - Completed by Brandon Sanderson [1]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924103W [2]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1394865A [3]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924094W [4]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL6060885W [5]: [6]: [7]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL28641A [8]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL6708339A [9]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL19482A [10]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL21594A [11]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL24638A [12]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL18319A [13]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL112816A [14]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL292141A [15]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL389360A [16]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL40784A [17]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL24470A [18]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL886773A [19]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL45046A [20]: [21]: [22]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1946682W [23]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924103W [24]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924135W [25]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924143W [26]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924199W [27]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924172W [28]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924208W [29]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924161W [30]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1946687W [31]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924207W [32]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924099W [33]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7924194W [34]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1946681W [35]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL15414340W [36]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL16799133W [37]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Jordan [38]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wheel_of_Time [39]: https://groups.google.com/g/rec.arts.sf.written.robert-jordan/c/PZUPyFyZcsk/m/dgCePo9BOvoJ

Recommended Entry Point

New to Robert?
Start with "The Wheel of Time"

The most popular entry point is The Eye of the World. It introduces the core world-building and key themes found in the author's most acclaimed works.

The Wheel of Time Series

Recommended reading order for the The Wheel of Time universe.

View Full Series Guide →

Standalone Books

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start reading Robert Jordan?

For most new readers, the best place to start is the The Wheel of Time series, beginning with the first book, "The Eye of the World".

How many series has Robert Jordan written?

Robert Jordan has written 1 book series, spanning a total of 69 individual works.

Are there standalone books by Robert Jordan?

Yes, Robert Jordan has written 58 standalone novels that can be read independently of any series.

What is the correct reading order for Robert Jordan books?

We recommend reading each specific series in its Publication Order to preserve character reveals and plot twists as the author intended.