A. Bertram Chandler Reading Order

14 books (1946–2021)

A. Bertram Chandler's Anthologies series comprises 13 science fiction and action-adventure collections published between 1946 and 2016. These selections span various anthology volumes, including appearances in prominent publications like Astounding Science Fiction, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and Galaxy Magazine. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with the February 1946 issue of Astounding Science Fiction.

Start with Astounding Science Fiction, February 1946, the first of 13 books in the Anthologies series.

#	Title
1	Astounding Science Fiction, February 1946 1946Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Fall 1950 1950Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Science Fiction Vol. 9 No. 25 1957Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Waters Under the Earth 1958Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, May 1959 1959Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Great Short Novels of Science Fiction 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	SF Authors' Choice 2 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Galaxy Magazine, March 1971 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	The Astounding-Analog Reader, Book Two 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Other Worlds 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Best Australian Science Fiction 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Out of this World Adventures, July 1950 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Worst Contact 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Vanguard Science Fiction, June 1958 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

15 books (1961–2004)

The Commander Grimes series spans 15 science fiction adventures following the career of its titular protagonist across the cosmos. Published between 1961 and 2004, the complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Rendezvous on a Lost World and concluding with Rim Runner. These action-packed space opera novels chronicle Grimes' journey through various roles and encounters in a far-future interstellar setting.

Start with Rendezvous on a Lost World, the first of 15 books in the Commander Grimes series.

#	Title
1	Rendezvous on a Lost World 1961Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Deep Reaches of Space 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Catch the Star Winds 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Far Traveler 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	To Keep the Ship 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Matilda's Stepchildren 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Star Loot 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Anarch Lords 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	The Last Amazon 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	The Wild Ones 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Tramp Captain 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Lieutenant Of The Survey Service 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Survey Captain 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Reserve Commodore 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Rim Runner 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1961–1963)

A. Bertram Chandler's Derek Calver Adventures is a complete science fiction series consisting of two books published in the early 1960s. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Rim of Space in 1961 and continuing with The Ship from Outside in 1963. These action-driven adventures blend Chandler's signature science fiction storytelling with elements of exploration and discovery.

Start with The Rim of Space and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Rim of Space 1961Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Ship from Outside 1963Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1965–1969)

A. Bertram Chandler's Empress trilogy is a three-book science fiction series published between 1965 and 1969. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Empress of Outer Space, followed by Space Mercenaries, and concluding with Nebula Alert. These action-packed space adventures showcase Chandler's signature blend of science fiction storytelling across a finished narrative arc.

Start with Empress of Outer Space and read in order.

7 books (1967–1977)

The Grimes in Federation Service series comprises seven science fiction novels following the adventures of a starship commander navigating the challenges of interstellar service. Published between 1967 and 1977, the complete series should be read in publication order beginning with The Road To The Rim. The sequence continues through False Fatherland/Spartan Planet, To Prime the Pump, The Inheritors, The Big Black Mark, The Broken Cycle, and concludes with Star Courier. A. Bertram Chandler's action-driven space opera explores themes of command, duty, and exploration across this finished saga.

Start with The Road To The Rim, the first of 7 books in the Grimes in Federation Service series.

7 books (1964–1981)

The Grimes in the Rim World series comprises seven science fiction adventures published between 1964 and 1981, following the complete arc of this standalone saga. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Into the Alternate Universe and concluding with The Commodore at Sea. The series combines action and adventure across its exploration of space and alternate dimensions throughout the span of Chandler's writing career.

Start with Into the Alternate Universe, the first of 7 books in the Grimes in the Rim World series.

#	Title
1	Into the Alternate Universe 1964Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Contraband from Otherspace 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Rim Gods 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Dark Dimensions 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Gateway to Never 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Way Back 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	The Commodore at Sea / Alternate Orbits 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (2011–2014)

The John Grimes Saga is a five-book science fiction series by A. Bertram Chandler published between 2011 and 2014. This complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with First Command and concluding with Upon a Sea of Stars. The collection includes Galactic Courier, To the Galactic Rim, and Ride the Star Winds as the middle installments in this action-adventure space opera sequence.

Start with First Command, the first of 5 books in the John Grimes Saga series.

#	Title
1	First Command 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Galactic Courier 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	To the Galactic Rim 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Ride the Star Winds 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Upon a Sea of Stars 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1945–2011)

A. Bertram Chandler's complete collection of three science fiction short stories and novellas spans from 1945 to 2011, showcasing the author's work across multiple decades. These standalone entries should be read in publication order, beginning with Giant Killer, followed by Wet Paint, and concluding with Raiders of the Solar Frontier. The series combines science fiction with action and adventure elements typical of Chandler's broader writing career.

Start with Giant Killer and read in order.

3 books (1963–2015)

A. Bertram Chandler's three science fiction short story collections span from 1963 to 2015 and should be read in publication order beginning with Beyond the Galactic Rim. The series is complete and includes The Hard Way Up and Up to the Sky in Ships as successive volumes. These collections blend science fiction with action and adventure elements across their carefully ordered entries.

Start with Beyond the Galactic Rim and read in order.

9 books (1961–1985)

A. Bertram Chandler's nine standalone science fiction novels span from 1961 to 1985 and should be read in publication order beginning with Bring Back Yesterday. Each book functions as an independent story, allowing readers to start anywhere, though following the publication sequence provides the most rewarding experience across the complete series. The collection showcases Chandler's range across action-adventure science fiction across themes of time, alternate realities, alien encounters, and frontier exploration.

Start with Bring Back Yesterday, the first of 9 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	Bring Back Yesterday 1961Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Hamelin Plague 1963Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Glory Planet 1964Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Coils of Time 1964Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Alternate Martians 1965Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Sea Beasts 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	When the Dream Dies 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Frontier of the Dark 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Kelly Country 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible