Bill O’Reilly Books in Order

Where to Start with Bill O’Reilly’s Books

If you are new to Bill O’Reilly’s works, the absolute best place to begin is the famous Killing series, co-authored with historian Martin Dugard. These books are narrative history written like fast-paced thrillers, focusing on the dramatic final days, assassinations, or major conflicts surrounding iconic historical figures and eras.

Because each book in the Killing series is completely self-contained and focuses on a different historical event, you do not need to read them in any strict sequence. However, we highly recommend starting with the book that launched the entire phenomenon: Killing Lincoln (2011). It perfectly establishes the series' signature style—immediate, present-tense, and highly detailed storytelling that reads more like a suspense novel than a textbook.

The Famous "Killing" Series in Detail

The Killing series is O'Reilly's most successful venture, selling tens of millions of copies worldwide. Written alongside Martin Dugard, these books aim to peel back the layers of mythology surrounding history's most famous deaths and milestones.

The Recommended Reading Order (Publication Order)

Reading the books in their order of publication allows you to experience how O'Reilly and Dugard expanded their scope from individual presidential assassinations to broader historical conflicts and cultural icons. Here is the publication order for the Killing books:

1. Killing Lincoln (2011) – Explores the final days of the Civil War and the conspiracy behind Abraham Lincoln's assassination.
2. Killing Kennedy (2012) – Follows the presidency and tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy.
3. Killing Jesus (2013) – A historical look at the life, political environment, and execution of Jesus of Nazareth.
4. Killing Patton (2014) – Investigates the mysterious death of General George S. Patton Jr. in the wake of World War II.
5. Killing Reagan (2015) – Details the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan and its long-term effects on his presidency.
6. Killing the Rising Sun (2016) – Chronicles the brutal Pacific theater of World War II and the decision to drop the atomic bomb.
7. Killing England (2017) – Focuses on the American Revolutionary War from the perspectives of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and King George III.
8. Killing the SS (2018) – Traces the post-WWII manhunt for Nazi war criminals like Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele.
9. Killing Crazy Horse (2020) – Examines the fierce conflicts between Native American tribes and the expanding United States.
10. Killing the Mob (2021) – Dives into the rise and fall of organized crime in America during the 20th century.
11. Killing the Killers (2022) – Details the global war on terror and the hunt for extremist leaders.
12. Killing the Legends (2022) – Explores the lives and untimely deaths of cultural icons Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Muhammad Ali.
13. Killing the Witches (2023) – Documents the Salem witch trials and the psychological forces that drove them.

The Chronological Reading Order

For readers who want to experience history as it unfolded, reading the series chronologically is a fantastic alternative. Here is how the books fit along history's timeline:

1. Killing Jesus (1st Century AD)
2. Killing the Witches (Late 17th Century – 1692 Salem)
3. Killing England (Late 18th Century – American Revolution)
4. Killing Crazy Horse (19th Century – American Indian Wars)
5. Killing Lincoln (Mid-19th Century – 1865)
6. Killing the Mob (Mid-20th Century – 1930s-1970s organized crime)
7. Killing the Rising Sun (Mid-20th Century – World War II Pacific)
8. Killing Patton (Mid-20th Century – 1945)
9. Killing the SS (Mid-to-Late 20th Century – Post-WWII)
10. Killing Kennedy (Mid-20th Century – 1963)
11. Killing Reagan (Late 20th Century – 1981)
12. Killing the Legends (Late 20th Century – 1970s-1980s)
13. Killing the Killers (21st Century – Post-9/11 War on Terror)

The Last Days Adaptations (For Younger Readers)

Due to the immense popularity of the main Killing series, O'Reilly adapted several titles for middle-grade and younger audiences. These versions focus more on the historical facts and less on some of the graphic details of the main series. They can be read alongside or instead of the main volumes:

• Lincoln's Last Days (2012)
• Kennedy's Last Days (2013)
• The Last Days of Jesus (2014)
• Hitler's Last Days (2015) – A unique adaptation focusing on the downfall of Nazi Germany.
• The Day the President Was Shot (2016) – Adaptation of the Reagan book.
• The Day the World Went Nuclear (2017) – Adaptation of the Rising Sun book.

The "Legends and Lies" Series

Co-authored with David Fisher, this series serves as a literary companion to the historical docuseries produced by O'Reilly. It seeks to separate fact from myth in major eras of American history. Please note that while some lists erroneously date the Civil War book to 1970 due to database errors, the correct publication sequence is as follows:

1. Legends and Lies: The Real West (2015)
2. Legends and Lies: The Patriots (2016)
3. Legends and Lies: The Civil War (2017)

The "Confronting" Series (The Next Chapter)

Starting in 2024, O'Reilly began a new non-fiction series titled "Confronting," which shifts the focus from "killing" key historical targets to confronting larger historical, political, and systemic issues. These books are co-authored with Martin Dugard and Josh Hammer:

• Confronting the Presidents (2024, with Martin Dugard) – A critical, non-partisan ranking and review of every American president.
• Confronting Evil: Assessing the Worst of the Worst (2025, with Josh Hammer) – Investigates notorious historical figures and modern-day threats.
• Confronting America: What Has to Change (Scheduled for 2026, with Josh Hammer) – Examines the contemporary political and cultural landscape of the United States.

Political Commentaries and Memoirs

Before his history series took off, O'Reilly was famous for his political opinion and commentary books, many of which tied into his former Fox News show, The O'Reilly Factor. If you are interested in his media career and personal life, these should be read in publication order:

• The O'Reilly Factor (2000)
• The No Spin Zone (2001)
• Who's Looking Out for You? (2003)
• A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity (2008) – His personal memoir detailing his upbringing and career path.
• Pinheads and Patriots (2010)

Standalone Fiction

O’Reilly has also dipped his toes into fiction writing, publishing a thriller titled Those Who Trespass in 1998. The novel focuses on a television journalist seeking revenge against those who derailed his career. Given its subject matter, it is widely considered to have drawn inspiration from O'Reilly's own early career in broadcast news.