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series Reading Order

Belisarius Books in Order

6 Books
1998 – 2006 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Belisarius Series in Order

The Belisarius series, co-authored by David Drake and Eric Flint, is a single, continuous narrative. Because the storyline progresses chronologically from the first page to the last, the publication order is the only recommended reading order. Starting anywhere other than the beginning will leave you lost in a maze of temporal strategy and alternate history.

The Main Novel Reading Order

You can read the series in its original format of six novels:

  1. An Oblique Approach (1998)
  2. In the Heart of Darkness (1998)
  3. Destiny's Shield (1999)
  4. Fortune's Stroke (2000)
  5. The Tide of Victory (2001)
  6. The Dance of Time (2006)

The Omnibus Collections

If you prefer fewer volumes, Baen Books released the entire series in three omnibus editions. Reading these in order is identical to reading the individual novels:

  • Belisarius I: Thunder at Dawn (2008) – Collects An Oblique Approach and In the Heart of Darkness.
  • Belisarius II: Storm at Noontide (2009) – Collects Destiny's Shield and Fortune's Stroke.
  • Belisarius III: The Flames of Sunset (2009) – Collects The Tide of Victory and The Dance of Time.

Tie-ins and Universe Expansions

While the main six-novel arc is completely self-contained, there is one official expansion to the universe:

  • "Islands" (2002): This is a standalone novella written by Eric Flint, published in the anthology The Warmasters (and later reprinted in Flint's collection Worlds). It centers on Calopodius and Anna Saronites, secondary characters navigating the social disruptions and military changes in Constantinople during the war. It can be read at any point after the first few novels.

Inside the Collaboration

The series arose from a prompt by publisher Jim Baen, who wanted to explore Basil Liddell-Hart's military theory of the "Indirect Approach." David Drake drafted detailed, chapter-by-chapter plot outlines outlining the military movements and the overall narrative skeleton. Eric Flint then took these structures to write the novels, fleshing out the characters, humor, and dialogue that gave the series its distinct, lively tone.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Belisarius series?

You should start with the first novel, An Oblique Approach, or the first omnibus collection, Thunder at Dawn. The series is a single continuous story, so reading it in order is essential.

QAre there different reading orders (like chronological vs. publication order)?

No. The chronological timeline of the storyline matches the publication order exactly. You should read the six books in the order they were published.

QAre there any sequels or spin-offs to the main series?

The main series is a complete, self-contained six-book saga with no sequels or spin-off series. However, Eric Flint wrote a related novella titled "Islands" set in the same universe.

QWhat is the "Islands" novella and when should I read it?

"Islands" is a novella by Eric Flint published in the 2002 anthology The Warmasters. It focuses on secondary characters in Constantinople during the war. You can read it as a standalone piece after finishing the second or third novel.

QCan I read the series through omnibus editions?

Yes. Baen Books collected the six novels into three omnibus editions: Thunder at Dawn (Books 1 & 2), Storm at Noontide (Books 3 & 4), and The Flames of Sunset (Books 5 & 6).

QHow did David Drake and Eric Flint collaborate on these books?

David Drake developed detailed plot outlines (between 5,000 and 15,000 words) based on historical military strategy. Eric Flint then did the character development and the actual writing of the novels.