Books On Board
series Reading Order

Cap Kennedy Books in Order

17 Books
1973 – 1983 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start with Cap Kennedy

For the best experience, readers should start at the very beginning with Galaxy of the Lost. The series relies on a consistent crew, their spaceship (the Mordain), and a slowly unfolding background mystery involving the lost Zheltyana civilization. Reading the books in order ensures you see the development of the crew dynamics and Cap's ongoing search for ancient alien artifacts.

Cap Kennedy / F.A.T.E. Books in Order

Originally published in the United States by DAW Books, this vintage 1970s space opera series was written by British sci-fi author E.C. Tubb under the pseudonym Gregory Kern. The series is also known as the F.A.T.E. (Free Acting Terran Envoy) series in the United Kingdom.

  1. Galaxy of the Lost (1973) – Introduces Cap Kennedy, his ship the Mordain, his specialist crew, and the overarching mystery of the Zheltyana.
  2. Slave Ship from Sergan (1973) – Cap goes undercover to investigate a galactic slave ring.
  3. Monster of Metelaze (1973) – The crew confronts a bizarre, destructive entity on a remote planet.
  4. Enemy Within the Skull (1974) – A mission dealing with psychic invasion and mental hijackers.
  5. Jewel of Jarhen (1974) – The search for a powerful relic on a hostile world.
  6. Seetee Alert! (1974) – A high-stakes adventure dealing with volatile contraterrene (anti-matter) energy.
  7. The Gholan Gate (1974) – Cap investigates an ancient transportation portal left behind by the Zheltyana.
  8. Eater of Worlds (1974) – The crew races to stop a world-devouring cosmic anomaly.
  9. Earth Enslaved (1974) – A parallel-universe conflict where Earth is threatened by a dimensional rift.
  10. Planet of Dread (1974) – A sword-and-planet style adventure on a regressed, barbaric world.
  11. The Spawn of Laban (1974) – Cap investigates a biological threat engineered by a rogue faction.
  12. The Genetic Buccaneer (1974) – A battle against space pirates dealing in illicit genetic engineering.
  13. A World Aflame (1974) – Cap travels to a planet on the verge of planetary destruction.
  14. Ghost of Epidoris (1975) – A haunting mission exploring a seemingly abandoned planet.
  15. Mimics of Dephene (1975) – An encounter with shape-shifting aliens capable of mimicking human targets.
  16. Beyond the Galactic Lens (1975) – Cap journeys past the edge of the known galaxy.
  17. The Galactiad (1983) – The final book where the crew is forced to compete in a cosmic tournament.

Publication vs. Chronological Order

Because these books were published in rapid succession, the publication order matches the chronological order of Cap's adventures. The only minor anomaly is the final book, The Galactiad. Written in 1976, it was published in German that same year but did not receive an English-language release until 1983. It serves as the definitive end to E.C. Tubb's run.

The German 'Commander Scott' Expansions

In Germany, the series was published by Bastei-Verlag under the title Commander Scott. While the first 17 novels translated the work of E.C. Tubb, the German series proved so popular that Bastei-Verlag hired local writers to continue the series. In total, the German run reached 42 volumes. These additional 25 books have never been officially translated into English, making the original 17-book run the complete saga for English-speaking readers.

Frequently Asked

QWho actually wrote the Cap Kennedy books?

The series was written by the prolific British sci-fi author E.C. Tubb, using the house pseudonym Gregory Kern.

QWhat does F.A.T.E. stand for in the series?

F.A.T.E. stands for Free Acting Terran Envoy, the organization of elite interstellar operatives that Cap Kennedy works for.

QAre the Cap Kennedy books standalones or do they have a continuous story?

Each book is a standalone mission, but they are linked by recurring crew members, the ship Mordain, and the overarching mystery of the ancient Zheltyana civilization.

QWho are the members of Cap Kennedy's crew?

Cap is assisted by human scientist Jarl Luden, high-gravity-born engineer Penza Saratov (who possesses superhuman strength), and a chameleon-like alien navigator named Chom (also known as Vim Chemile).

QHow does the German edition of Cap Kennedy differ?

In Germany, the series was renamed Commander Scott and expanded by local German authors to 42 volumes, long after the English series ended at book 17.

QWhy is there an eight-year gap before the publication of the final book, The Galactiad?

Although written in 1976 and published in German translation that year, the original English edition of The Galactiad was delayed by DAW Books until 1983 due to scheduling shifts.