BookPath
The Bachman Books (Long Walk / Rage / Roadwork / Running Man)
Stephen King

The Bachman Books (Long Walk / Rage / Roadwork / Running Man)

Quick Answer

Read "The Bachman Books (Long Walk / Rage / Roadwork / Running Man)" as the nullth book in the Collections sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Quick Verdict

✅ Safe to read now (Series Entry Point)

There are multiple ways to approach this series. Our recommended order is optimized for first-time readers.

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: A compelling work from the Stephen King's bibliography. Whether as a standalone or part of a loosely connected universe, it's a staple for fans.

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2000WikidataSource
Omnibus collection of four early Bachman novels ([Rage][1], [The Long Walk][2], [Roadwork][3], [The Running Man][4]) and the essay "Why I Was Bachman" ([source][5]) [1]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL149154W/Rage [2]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL14917769W/The_Long_Walk [3]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL149156W/Roadwork [4]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL149188W/The_Running_Man [5]: https://stephenking.com/library/bachman_novel/bachman_books_the.html
Next Recommended Book

The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift

Book # of 241 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

medium Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Collections conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Bachman Books (Long Walk / Rage / Roadwork / Running Man)?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read The Bachman Books (Long Walk / Rage / Roadwork / Running Man) before other books in the series?

No. We recommend reading the previous book first. The Bachman Books (Long Walk / Rage / Roadwork / Running Man) is the nullth book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is The Bachman Books (Long Walk / Rage / Roadwork / Running Man) required reading for the Collections?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after The Bachman Books (Long Walk / Rage / Roadwork / Running Man) in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Bachman Books (Long Walk / Rage / Roadwork / Running Man) is The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift (Book #null).