Where to Start Reading Brian Kilmeade
If you are new to Brian Kilmeade’s work, the absolute best place to start is with George Washington's Secret Six (2013). Co-authored with Don Yaeger, this is the book that established Kilmeade as a master of narrative popular history. It focuses on the Culper Spy Ring, a covert group of ordinary citizens who risked everything to feed intelligence to George Washington during the Revolutionary War. It has all the hallmarks of his writing: fast-paced storytelling, a focus on overlooked historical figures, and a highly accessible, conversational tone.
For readers who prefer sports and motivational writing, the best entry point is his debut book, The Games Do Count (2004). This collection profiles prominent political, business, and cultural leaders, exploring how their early participation in sports shaped their character, work ethic, and ultimate success in life.
The American History Series: Chronological vs. Publication Order
One of the most satisfying aspects of Brian Kilmeade's historical books is that their publication order matches their chronological order. As Kilmeade has written his way through American history, he has moved forward in time from the Revolutionary War of the late 18th century to the Progressive Era of the early 20th century. This makes reading them in publication order an intuitive way to experience the chronological evolution of the United States.
Because each book is written as a self-contained narrative focusing on a specific conflict, relationship, or historical event, you do not need to read them in order to understand the plots. However, reading them chronologically provides a wonderful sense of historical continuity, showcasing how the challenges of one era laid the groundwork for the figures and conflicts of the next.
Brian Kilmeade's Books in Order of Publication
Here is the complete list of Brian Kilmeade's books in the order they were published, including his early sports collections and his popular narrative histories.
The Sports and Leadership Books
- The Games Do Count: America's Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports (2004) – A collection of interviews and profiles showing how sports helped shape leaders like Condoleezza Rice, Jon Stewart, and various military generals.
- It's How You Play the Game: The Powerful Sports Moments That Taught Lasting Values to America's Finest (2007) – A follow-up collection that details defining sporting moments in the lives of successful Americans, emphasizing teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship.
The American History Series
- George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution (2013) – Co-authored with Don Yaeger. Set during the Revolutionary War (1776–1783), this book uncovers the secret identities and dangerous operations of the Culper Spy Ring in New York.
- Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History (2015) – Co-authored with Don Yaeger. Set during the First Barbary War (1801–1805), this narrative follows President Jefferson's decision to deploy the young U.S. Navy to combat piracy off the coast of North Africa.
- Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America's Destiny (2017) – Co-authored with Don Yaeger. Set during the War of 1812, this book focuses on the pivotal 1815 Battle of New Orleans, where Andrew Jackson rallied a diverse coalition of soldiers to defeat the British military.
- Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers: The Texas Victory That Changed American History (2019) – Written solo by Kilmeade. Set during the Texas Revolution (1835–1836), this book details the fall of the Alamo and Sam Houston's subsequent military campaign that secured Texas independence.
- The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America’s Soul (2021) – Written solo by Kilmeade. Set during the Civil War era (1860s), this double biography traces the lives, conflicts, and eventual alliance of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass as they fought to end slavery and preserve the Union.
- Teddy and Booker T.: How Two American Icons Blazed a Path for Racial Equality (2023) – Written solo by Kilmeade. Set at the turn of the 20th century, this book explores the relationship between President Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington, focusing on their historic 1901 White House dinner and their efforts to advance civil rights.
- Uniting the States: Six Crucial Moments That Forged the American Miracle (Upcoming: October 13, 2026) – Written solo by Kilmeade. This upcoming release profiles six early American figures—including John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Washington, Captain Daniel Shays, Jefferson, and James Madison—to show how they navigated internal divisions to forge a unified nation.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Kilmeade's bibliography, here are a few practical tips to help guide your reading experience:
- Narrative Style: Kilmeade writes history like a thriller. He focuses heavily on dialogue, character motivations, and fast-paced sequences. If you prefer academic, dense, footnoted histories, these might feel a bit light. But if you want engaging, cinematic storytelling that makes history feel alive, this style is perfect.
- Co-Authorship Details: His first three history books (George Washington's Secret Six, Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates, and Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans) were co-authored with Don Yaeger. Starting with Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers in 2019, Kilmeade transitioned to writing his history books as a solo author.
- Standalones: None of these books feature cliffhangers or continuing plotlines. You can pick up any history book that interests you based entirely on the historical era or figures you want to learn about.