Where to Start with Chris Wallace
For readers looking to dive into the work of veteran journalist and television anchor Chris Wallace, the best starting point is undoubtedly Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World. Published in 2020, this book launched his highly popular "Countdown" series, establishing a signature narrative style that reads more like a fast-paced political thriller than a dry history text. By focusing on a tight timeline and shifting perspectives between key decision-makers and average citizens, it serves as the perfect introduction to his collaborative writing style with Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Mitch Weiss.
If you prefer modern military history, another excellent entry point is Countdown bin Laden, which tracks the high-stakes, 247-day hunt for the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks. For readers more interested in domestic political history, starting with Countdown 1960 provides a fascinating look at the close, tense presidential race between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
The "Countdown" Series in Order
Chris Wallace's historical thrillers are defined by their focused timeframes, building tension as they tick closer to a history-defining moment. While they are completely standalone books, reading them in order of publication allows you to follow how Wallace and Weiss refined their formula over time.
1. Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World (2020)
This book begins with the sudden death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the immediate swearing-in of Harry S. Truman, who is thrust into leadership unaware of the top-secret Manhattan Project. The narrative counts down the 116 days leading up to the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, profiling scientists, politicians, and the crew of the Enola Gay.
2. Countdown bin Laden: The Untold Story of the 247-Day Hunt to Bring the Mastermind of 9/11 to Justice (2021)
Shifting focus to modern history, this volume documents the hunt for Osama bin Laden. It covers the 247 days from the moment intelligence analysts located a potential lead on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, to the Navy SEAL raid. The book spotlights the intelligence officials, military planners, and the president who faced a high-stakes decision with incomplete information.
3. Countdown 1960: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of the 312 Days that Changed America's Politics Forever (2024)
This entry applies the countdown formula to the 1960 presidential campaign, chronicling the 312 days leading up to the election. It dissects the strategies of Kennedy and Nixon, the first televised debates, and the razor-thin margin of victory that reshaped modern political campaigns.
4. Countdown: Battle of the Bulge: The 40 Days of World War II That Crushed Hitler's Last Hope (Upcoming / December 2026)
The next scheduled release in the series takes readers back to World War II. It recounts the 40 days of Germany's final major counteroffensive on the Western Front in the winter of 1944. The book promises to shift between General Dwight D. Eisenhower's headquarters in Versailles and Adolf Hitler's Eagle's Nest, alongside stories from the front-line soldiers enduring subzero conditions.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Because the Countdown books are self-contained, chronological order is entirely optional, but it offers a chronological journey through key 20th-century events:
- Countdown 1945 (Set in the final days of WWII, 1945)
- Countdown: Battle of the Bulge (Though published later, the events take place in late 1944, just before the events of 1945)
- Countdown 1960 (Set during the 1960 election)
- Countdown bin Laden (Set in 2010–2011)
Reading chronologically can be a fun project for history enthusiasts, but reading in publication order is highly recommended for casual readers to appreciate the evolving polish of Wallace and Weiss's prose.
Earlier Non-Fiction and Biographical Works
Before establishing his Countdown series, Chris Wallace wrote biographical and political non-fiction drawing directly from his career as a broadcast journalist:
- First Lady: A Portrait of Nancy Reagan (1986): Written during Wallace's tenure as an NBC White House correspondent, this book was developed from television interviews and offers a close-up look at Nancy Reagan's influential role in the Reagan administration.
- Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage (2004): Drawing inspiration from John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage, Wallace profiles notable American presidents who made difficult, often unpopular choices for the greater good of the country.
What to Know Before You Start: The Name Confusion
A critical detail for readers searching libraries or online stores is the presence of other authors named Chris Wallace. Most notably, the 2020 political book How to Win an Election is frequently misattributed to the American journalist. It was actually written by Dr. Chris Wallace, a female political historian and professor at the University of Canberra who writes extensively on Australian politics. Always verify the publisher, author bio, or cover art to ensure you are getting the correct book.
Practical Reading Advice
All of Chris Wallace's historical works can be read as complete standalones. They do not share characters or plot lines, meaning you can easily pick up whichever historical topic interests you the most. Because his books are heavily grounded in first-hand accounts and documents, they serve as excellent gateways for readers who typically prefer fiction but want to explore real historical events in a highly engaging, readable format.