Michael Z. Williamson Reading Order
11 series · 82 books
Michael Z. Williamson is a prolific American author who has written over eighty books spanning military science fiction, contemporary fantasy, and adventure fiction since 1986. He is best known for the Freehold series, which examines military strategy and political conflict through a libertarian lens, along with the collaborative Black Tide Rising universe featuring zombie apocalypse scenarios. Williamson's work frequently emphasizes tactical action sequences and explores the intersection of military culture with speculative world-building across his numerous series and anthology contributions.
Anthologies Series
Complete5 books (2007–2020)
Start with Future Weapons of War, the first of 5 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with Future Weapons of War
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Black Tide Rising Series
Ongoing15 books (2013–2025)
Start with Under a Graveyard Sky(By: John Ringo), the first of 15 books in the Black Tide Rising series.
Start this series with Under a Graveyard Sky(By: John Ringo)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Exiled Series
Complete2 books (2011–2015)
Start with Clan of the Claw(With: John Ringo,Harry Turtledove,S.M. Stirling,Jody Lynn Nye) and read in order.
Start this series with Clan of the Claw(With: John Ringo,Harry Turtledove,S.M. Stirling,Jody Lynn Nye)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Freehold Series
Likely Complete11 books (2003–2021)
Start with Freehold, the first of 11 books in the Freehold series.
Start this series with Freehold
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Heroes in Hell Series
Ongoing26 books (1986–2024)
Start with Heroes in Hell(By: C.J. Cherryh,Gregory Benford,David Drake,Janet Morris), the first of 26 books in the Heroes in Hell series.
Start this series with Heroes in Hell(By: C.J. Cherryh,Gregory Benford,David Drake,Janet Morris)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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| 16 | Dreamers in Hell(By: Janet Morris,Nancy Asire,Chris Morris,Michael H. Hanson,Ed McKeown,Sara M. Harvey,David L. Burkhead,Jason Cordova,Sarah Hulcy,Larry Atchley Jr.,John Manning,Richard Groller,Tom Barczak,Yelle Hughes,Bill Snider,Deborah Koren,Shebat Legion,Jack William Finley,Michael A. Ventrella,Bettina Meister,Petra Jorns) |
| 17 |  Poets in Hell(By: Janet Morris,Nancy Asire,Chris Morris,Michael H. Hanson,Joe Bonadonna,pdmac,Bruce Durham,Larry Atchley Jr.,Richard Groller,Michael A. Armstrong,Tom Barczak,Matthew Kirshenblatt,Beth W. Patterson,Yelle Hughes,Bill Snider,Deborah Koren,Shebat Legion,Bill Barnhill,Jack William Finley) |
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Non-Fiction Series
Complete1 book (2014–2014)
Posleen War Series
Complete12 books (2000–2009)
Start with A Hymn Before Battle(By: John Ringo), the first of 12 books in the Posleen War series.
Start this series with A Hymn Before Battle(By: John Ringo)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete3 books (2014–2016)
Start with Soft Casualty and read in order.
Start this series with Soft Casualty
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Short Story Collections Series
Complete2 books (2013–2018)
Start with Tour of Duty and read in order.
Start this series with Tour of Duty
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Target: Terror Series
Complete3 books (2004–2005)
Start with The Scope of Justice and read in order.
Start this series with The Scope of Justice
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Temporal Displacement Series
Likely Complete2 books (2015–2021)
Start with A Long Time Until Now and read in order.
Start this series with A Long Time Until Now
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Michael Z. Williamson written?
- Michael Z. Williamson has written 82 books across 11 series. Their published works span from 1986 to 2025.
- What is the first book in each Michael Z. Williamson series?
- Here are the first books in Michael Z. Williamson's series: Anthologies: Future Weapons of War; Black Tide Rising: Under a Graveyard Sky(By: John Ringo); Exiled: Clan of the Claw(With: John Ringo,Harry Turtledove,S.M. Stirling,Jody Lynn Nye); Freehold: Freehold; Heroes in Hell: Heroes in Hell(By: C.J. Cherryh,Gregory Benford,David Drake,Janet Morris).
- What order should I read Michael Z. Williamson's books?
- We recommend reading Michael Z. Williamson's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Michael Z. Williamson still writing new books?
- Yes, Michael Z. Williamson has 2 ongoing series: Black Tide Rising, Heroes in Hell.