Books On Board

Dan Jones Books in Order

  • 14 Books
  • 2009 – 2024 Published

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Reading order
3 of 3 reading orders shown

Where to Start with Dan Jones

Dan Jones has a unique talent for writing history that reads like an action-packed screenplay. Because his work spans both historical fiction and narrative non-fiction, the best place to start depends entirely on what you are looking for:

  • For Fiction Lovers: Start with Essex Dogs. It is the opening volume of his gritty, fast-paced trilogy following a company of mercenaries during the Hundred Years’ War.
  • For British History Buffs: Start with The Plantagenets. This is his breakout bestseller that charts the rise and fall of the dynasty that shaped medieval England.
  • For World History Enthusiasts: Start with Powers and Thrones. This massive, engaging book acts as a comprehensive one-volume history of the entire Middle Ages, making it the perfect foundation before diving into more specific topics.

The Essex Dogs Trilogy (Fiction)

Dan Jones made his historical fiction debut with a trilogy that follows a tight-knit platoon of soldiers (the "Essex Dogs") navigating the mud, blood, and politics of the Hundred Years’ War. Unlike his non-fiction, these books must be read in publication and chronological order to follow the characters' overarching arcs and the progression of the war.

  1. Essex Dogs (2023) – Introduces the mercenaries as they land on the beaches of Normandy in 1346, culminating in the brutal Battle of Crécy.
  2. Wolves of Winter (2024) – Picks up the story during the harsh winter campaign as the Dogs besiege Calais, dealing with shifting alliances and constant threats.
  3. Lion Hearts (2025) – The final installment, which follows the survivors into the later stages of the conflict and provides a dramatic conclusion to the trilogy.

The English Monarchs & Dynasties Sequence (Non-Fiction)

If you want to read Dan Jones’s non-fiction books about English history in chronological order of the historical events they describe, follow this path. This sequence takes you from the signing of the Magna Carta through the rise of the Tudor dynasty.

  • Magna Carta: The Making and Legacy of the Great Charter (2014) & A Realm Divided: A Year in the Life of Plantagenet England (2015) – These two companion works zoom in on the year 1215. They detail the reign of King John and the daily life of ordinary people caught in the baron wars.
  • The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England (2012) – The flagship narrative that covers the broad sweep of the dynasty from Henry II to Richard II (1154 to 1399).
  • Summer of Blood: The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 (2009) – A vivid, fast-paced deep dive into the chaotic and violent summer rebellion that shook the young King Richard II's reign.
  • Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King (2024) – A detailed study of Henry V, centering on his military brilliance and the legendary Battle of Agincourt during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years' War.
  • The Wars of the Roses / The Hollow Crown (2014) – This book picks up exactly where The Plantagenets ends, tracing the fall of the House of Lancaster, the bloody civil wars, and the ultimate rise of the Tudors around 1500.

The Crusaders & Global Medieval History

For readers who want to move beyond England, Jones has written several sweeping books focusing on religious warfare, global empires, and the broader medieval world. These are all standalone works that can be read in any order, though reading them in order of historical scope is highly satisfying.

  • Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages (2021) – The ultimate starting point for global medieval history, spanning a thousand years from the fall of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance.
  • The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors (2017) – A gripping history of the legendary military order, stripping away the myths to tell the real story of their rise, influence, and sudden destruction.
  • Crusaders: The Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Lands (2019) – A comprehensive narrative of the Crusades told through a diverse cast of characters, including kings, poets, soldiers, and scholars on both sides of the conflict.

Collaborations & Special Projects

Aside from his traditional historical narratives, Dan Jones has worked on unique collaborative projects and retellings that offer a different perspective on history:

  • The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings (2022) – A translation and retelling of a chilling 15th-century ghost story originally written by a monk at Byland Abbey. It is a slim, atmospheric volume perfect for a seasonal read.
  • The Color of Time: A New History of the World, 1850–1960 (2018) & The World Aflame: The Long War, 1914–1945 (2019) – Written in collaboration with artist Marina Amaral, these books pair Jones’s narrative summaries with beautifully colorized historical photographs to bring the modern era to life.

Frequently Asked

What is the difference between The Hollow Crown and The Wars of the Roses?

They are the exact same book. It was published in the United Kingdom under the title The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses and the Rise of the Tudors, while in the United States it was released as The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors.

Do I need to read the Essex Dogs books in order?

Yes. Unlike his standalone history books, the Essex Dogs trilogy follows a continuous narrative and the personal development of a specific group of mercenary soldiers during the Hundred Years' War. You should start with Essex Dogs, follow with Wolves of Winter, and finish with Lion Hearts.

Is A Realm Divided the same book as Magna Carta?

No, but they are closely related. Magna Carta focuses specifically on the political document and its immediate context, whereas A Realm Divided offers a broader social history of England during that same year, 1215. In some US editions, elements of these two books were packaged together.

What is the correct chronological order for Dan Jones's English history books?

To read them chronologically by historical era, start with Magna Carta / A Realm Divided (1215), followed by The Plantagenets (1154–1399). You can read Summer of Blood (1381) as a deep dive during this period, followed by Henry V (early 1400s), and conclude with The Wars of the Roses / The Hollow Crown (1399–1500).

Are Dan Jones's books suitable for beginners?

Yes, absolutely. One of Dan Jones's strengths is his highly narrative, dramatic writing style that avoids dry academic jargon. Powers and Thrones is highly recommended as a first book for anyone new to medieval history, as it provides a fantastic overview of the entire era.