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series Reading Order

Bandy Papers Books in Order

9 Books
1962 – 2005 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for The Bandy Papers

Donald Jack's celebrated satirical series, The Bandy Papers, follows the bumbling, horse-faced Canadian ace pilot Bartholomew Wolfe Bandy as he accidentally stumbles into historical fame. Because the series tracks Bandy's life in a strict, linear fashion, the best way to read these books is in their original publication order, which matches the chronological flow of his adventures.

The Bandy Papers in Reading Order

  1. Three Cheers for Me (1962, revised and expanded in 1973) – Sets the stage in 1916. Bandy leaves medical school, joins the Canadian infantry in the WWI trenches, and somehow bumbles his way into becoming a fighter pilot in the Royal Flying Corps.
  2. That's Me in the Middle (1973) – Set in 1917. Bandy climbs the ranks to command a fighter squadron, gets shot down, and relies on absurd luck to survive.
  3. It's Me Again (1975) – Set in 1918–1919. Bandy participates in the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War, dodging Bolsheviks and dealing with romance. Note: Some historical editions split or packaged this book alongside a secondary title, Me Among the Ruins.
  4. Me Bandy, You Cissie (1979) – Set in 1920. Bandy navigates the post-war era in Canada and New York, exploring stunt flying, bootlegging, and early silent films.
  5. Me Too (1983) – Set in the early 1920s. Bandy starts his own airline (Bandy Airways) and runs for political office in Canada.
  6. This One's on Me (1987) – Set in 1924–1925. Bandy attempts to fly across the Atlantic in a custom amphibious aircraft, leading to crash landings, rescue missions, and a move to the English film industry.
  7. Me So Far (1989) – Set in 1925. Bandy travels to British India to command the air force of the Maharajah of Jhamjarh, only to get caught in local political conflicts.
  8. Hitler vs. Me (1996) – Set in 1939–1940. With the outbreak of World War II, a middle-aged Bandy returns to the RAF to fight in the Battle of Britain.
  9. Stalin vs. Me (2005) – Set in the late 1940s. Published posthumously after Donald Jack’s death in 2003, this final volume finds Bandy working in intelligence operations in Cold War Europe.

Understanding the Publication and Chronological Flow

Unlike some long-running series, there is no confusion between publication order and chronological order here. The series progresses year by year, war by war. The only publishing anomaly readers might encounter involves It's Me Again, which was occasionally divided into two volumes (with the second part titled Me Among the Ruins) in older print runs. Modern collected editions and reprints combine these back into a single unified book under the It's Me Again title.

Donald Jack wrote all nine books as a fictional autobiography, ensuring every title and many chapter names contained the word 'me'. There are no co-authored books or spin-off series, making this a straightforward and highly satisfying nine-book journey.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for The Bandy Papers?

You should start with the first novel, Three Cheers for Me. The series follows a strict chronological line, and starting elsewhere will spoil previous plot developments and character growth.

QAre publication order and chronological order different for this series?

No, they are identical. The story starts in 1916 during World War I and progresses linearly through the 1920s, World War II, and into the Cold War.

QWhat is the book 'Me Among the Ruins'?

Me Among the Ruins is not a separate tenth novel. It is a portion of the third book, It's Me Again, which was split into two parts in certain older paperback editions. Modern editions consolidate these back into a single book.

QWhich books in the series won the Stephen Leacock Award?

Donald Jack won the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour three times: for Three Cheers for Me in 1963, That's Me in the Middle in 1974, and Me Bandy, You Cissie in 1980.

QWas the series ever finished?

Yes. The final book, Stalin vs. Me, was published posthumously in 2005, completing the arc of Bartholomew Bandy's adventures through the mid-20th century.