- Irving Wallace published 16 novels and 17 non-fiction books, for a total of 33 works.
- His first published book was the non-fiction work The Fabulous Originals in 1955. His first novel was The Sins of Philip Fleming in 1959.
- His books do not need to be read in any specific order as they are all standalone stories.
- Famous works include the novel The Chapman Report and the non-fiction bestseller The Book of Lists.
Trying to navigate the massive bibliography of a literary giant like Irving Wallace can feel like a puzzle. You might find one of his gripping paperbacks at a used bookstore and wonder, "Where does this fit in?" or "What should I read next?" If you're looking for a clear, chronological list of all Irving Wallace books in order, you've come to the right place.
Irving Wallace was a master of the meticulously researched, high-stakes thriller. His stories grabbed readers and refused to let go. This guide provides the complete reading list of his novels and non-fiction works, all laid out by their original publication dates, so you can dive into his fascinating world with confidence.
Who Was Irving Wallace? A Quick Look at the Master Storyteller
Before we get to the complete book list, it's helpful to understand the man behind the words. Irving Wallace (1916-1990) was an American author and screenwriter who became one of the most widely read writers of his generation. His success was staggering; his books sold an estimated 250 million copies globally and were translated into 31 different languages.
What made him so popular? Wallace had a unique formula. He combined the page-turning suspense of a thriller with the exhaustive detail of an investigative journalist. His topics were often bold and controversial for their time, touching on politics, global conspiracies, religion, and human sexuality with a frankness that captivated millions. He spent years, sometimes even a decade, researching a single novel to ensure every detail felt authentic. This dedication to research gave his fiction a weight and plausibility that made his incredible stories feel like they could actually happen.
While some literary critics looked down on his commercial success, readers couldn't get enough. His legacy is one of a masterful storyteller who understood how to blend fact and fiction into an irresistible package.
The Complete List of Irving Wallace Novels in Order of Publication
Irving Wallace's 16 novels are standalone stories, so you can jump in anywhere without feeling lost. However, reading them in publication order allows you to see the evolution of his style and the themes that fascinated him throughout his career. Here is every Irving Wallace novel in the order it was released.
The Sins of Philip Fleming (1959)
Wallace's debut novel is a departure from the grand-scale thrillers he would later become famous for. It's an intimate and intense psychological drama about a successful Hollywood screenwriter who, on the eve of his tenth wedding anniversary, finds himself impotent with his wife. The story explores his internal turmoil as he grapples with his masculinity, past relationships, and the pressures of his career. It's a character-driven piece that showcases Wallace's ability to get inside a character's head.
The Chapman Report (1960)
This is the book that truly launched Wallace into the stratosphere. Inspired by the Kinsey Reports on human sexuality, the novel follows a team of sociologists who descend upon a wealthy Los Angeles suburb to conduct a survey on the intimate lives of its female residents. The story is told through the eyes of several women whose lives are turned upside down by the survey's probing questions. It was incredibly controversial upon release for its candid discussion of female sexuality, and it quickly became a massive bestseller and was adapted into a major film.
The Prize (1962)
Set against the backdrop of the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm, this novel is a brilliant mix of international espionage, romance, and intellectual drama. It follows several Nobel laureates, including a hard-drinking American novelist who has lost his creative spark and a pair of German physicists with a dangerous secret. When an American scientist is seemingly kidnapped by KGB agents, the story kicks into high gear. The Prize is a classic Wallace thriller, full of twists, fascinating details about the Nobel institution, and high-stakes political intrigue.
The Three Sirens (1963)
An anthropological expedition to a remote Polynesian island uncovers a society untouched by modern civilization. This culture has a completely different approach to love, marriage, and sex, which challenges the beliefs of the American researchers observing them. The novel explores themes of cultural relativism and sexual freedom as the "civilized" visitors find their own lives and relationships profoundly changed by the island's customs. It's a thought-provoking story wrapped in an adventure.
The Man (1964)
What would happen if a Black man suddenly became President of the United States? In 1964, this was a radical premise. The novel follows Douglass Dilman, a Senator who becomes president through a freak accident in the line of succession. He must navigate a treacherous political landscape, facing down racism from his own cabinet, an impeachment attempt, and an international crisis. The Man was a timely and powerful political thriller that cemented Wallace's reputation as a writer willing to tackle big, important ideas.
The Plot (1967)
This globe-trotting thriller centers on a former U.S. District Attorney, Jay Doyle, who gets entangled in a conspiracy surrounding a disgraced former statesman. The plot involves stolen nuclear weapons, secret pacts made at the end of World War II, and a cast of characters from Paris to Moscow. It's a complex, multi-layered story that keeps readers guessing until the very end, showcasing Wallace's ability to weave together disparate historical threads into a cohesive and suspenseful narrative.
The Seven Minutes (1969)
Wallace returns to controversial territory with this courtroom drama centered on an obscenity trial. A bookseller is arrested for selling a notorious erotic novel called "The Seven Minutes," which is accused of inspiring a local youth to commit a violent crime. A brilliant defense attorney, Mike Barrett, takes the case, and the trial becomes a battleground over free speech, censorship, and the very definition of pornography. The novel delves deep into legal arguments and features a stunning twist ending. The effort involved in creating a story like this makes one appreciate tips for how to stay motivated as an indie author, even for a titan like Wallace.
The Word (1972)
Perhaps Wallace's most ambitious work, The Word is a theological thriller about the discovery of a new gospel supposedly written by James, the brother of Jesus. This "Papyri of James" could potentially rewrite the foundations of Christianity. A public relations executive is hired to publicize the discovery, but he soon finds himself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy to control the document's release. Wallace spent nearly a decade researching this book, and it shows in the incredible depth of historical and biblical detail.
The Fan Club (1974)
This dark and disturbing thriller explores the dark side of celebrity obsession. Four ordinary men, bonded by their shared fantasy of the world's sexiest movie star, Sharon Fields, decide to act on their desires. They kidnap her and hold her captive in a remote cabin, intending to live out their fantasies. The novel is a chilling and suspenseful look at toxic masculinity and the objectification of women, told from the perspectives of both the kidnappers and their terrified victim.
The R Document (1976)
In this chilling political thriller, the FBI Director conspires to pass a new amendment to the Constitution that would effectively suspend the Bill of Rights in times of national crisis. The only person standing in his way is the new Attorney General, Christopher Collins, who uncovers the conspiracy. The novel is a prescient warning about the erosion of civil liberties in the name of security, filled with political maneuvering and suspense.
The Pigeon Project (1979)
A brilliant scientist discovers a serum that can dramatically extend the human lifespan. But this discovery, instead of being a gift to humanity, sets off a frantic and deadly race between world superpowers to possess the secret. The scientist is forced to go on the run, pursued by agents who will stop at nothing to get the formula. It's a fast-paced scientific thriller that explores the ethical and political fallout of a world-changing discovery.
The Second Lady (1980)
The First Lady of the United States, Billie Bradford, is kidnapped by Soviet agents while on a trip to Moscow and replaced with a surgically-altered, highly trained actress. The imposter's mission is to uncover America's most sensitive secrets directly from the President. This espionage thriller is full of suspense as the real First Lady tries to escape her captors while the double plays a dangerous game in the White House.
The Almighty (1982)
Edward Armstead, the debauched heir to a global media empire, is tired of just reporting the news. He decides to start making the news by secretly orchestrating acts of terrorism and then having his newspapers exclusively report on them. His plan works brilliantly, and his paper's circulation skyrockets, but he soon loses control of the very chaos he created. The novel is a scathing critique of media sensationalism and the corrupting nature of power.
The Miracle (1984)
Set in the French town of Lourdes, famous for its supposed healing miracles, this novel follows a group of diverse characters who have gathered at the holy site. Among them are a skeptical journalist, a desperate mother with a sick child, and a Vatican investigator sent to verify a new apparition of the Virgin Mary. The story weaves their lives together as they search for faith, healing, and truth.
The Seventh Secret (1986)
What if Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun didn't die in the bunker in 1945? That's the explosive premise of this historical thriller. An Oxford historian discovers evidence suggesting the bodies found were doubles and that Hitler and his wife escaped. His investigation uncovers a modern-day neo-Nazi conspiracy to hide the truth, and he finds his own life in grave danger.
The Celestial Bed (1987)
Dr. Arnold Freeberg runs a controversial sex therapy clinic where surrogate partners are used to treat patients with sexual dysfunctions. His methods are unorthodox but effective. The novel follows the lives of several patients and surrogates, exploring the complexities of intimacy and relationships in a clinical setting. It's a mature and sensitive look at a complex subject.
The Golden Room (1988)
A successful author, Li-shih, is facing writer's block. He takes a job teaching a creative writing class, where he becomes fascinated by one of his students, a beautiful and mysterious woman who seems to be writing a thinly veiled autobiography about her life in a secret, high-class brothel. The author becomes obsessed with uncovering her story, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
The Guest of Honor (1989)
Wallace's final novel is a political thriller about the President of the United States being replaced by a lookalike. When the First Lady realizes her husband has been swapped, she must find a way to expose the imposter before he can enact a devastating political agenda. It's a classic Wallace plot full of suspense and intrigue.
Irving Wallace's Non-Fiction Books in Chronological Order
Alongside his blockbuster novels, Wallace was a prolific writer of non-fiction. He often collaborated with his children, David Wallechinsky and Amy Wallace, on these projects. His non-fiction works reflect his boundless curiosity about history, celebrity, and the stranger side of human nature. These books require an entirely different creative muscle, focusing on facts rather than plot, a challenge discussed in guides on how to write an outline for a book.
The Fabulous Originals (1955)
This book delves into the lives of the real people who inspired some of literature's most famous characters. Wallace uncovers the true stories behind figures like Robinson Crusoe and Sherlock Holmes.
The Square Pegs (1958)
A collection of biographical sketches about eccentric and unconventional Americans who dared to be different, from a man who declared himself Emperor of the United States to a woman who ran for president in the 19th century.
The Fabulous Showman (1959)
A detailed and entertaining biography of the legendary circus promoter and master of humbug, P.T. Barnum.
The Twenty-Seventh Wife (1961)
This book tells the incredible life story of Ann Eliza Young, a plural wife of Mormon leader Brigham Young who divorced him and became a vocal critic of polygamy. When writing about real people, authors often wonder can you write a book about someone without their permission? Wallace's biographical works show how to do so with meticulous research.
The Sunday Gentleman (1966)
A collection of Wallace's magazine articles and essays on a wide range of subjects, from his experiences in Hollywood to profiles of fascinating people he met on his travels.
The Writing of One Novel (1968)
An insightful look into Wallace's own creative process, specifically detailing the seven-year journey of writing his bestseller, The Prize.
The Nympho and Other Maniacs (1971)
A provocative collection of biographical essays about scandalous and liberated women throughout history whose sexual adventures shocked society.
The People's Almanac (1975)
The first in a series of incredibly popular reference books, this almanac is packed with unusual facts, lists, and stories that you won't find in a standard encyclopedia.
The Book of Lists (1977)
An absolute cultural phenomenon, this book is exactly what its title promises: a collection of fascinating, bizarre, and hilarious lists on every topic imaginable, from "15 Famous People Who Died in a Bizarre Manner" to "10 Famous Unsolved Crimes."
The Two: The Biography of The Original Siamese Twins (1978)
A biography of Chang and Eng Bunker, the conjoined twins from Siam who became international celebrities in the 19th century.
The People's Almanac No. 2 (1978)
More of the fascinating and obscure information that made the first volume a bestseller.
The Intimate Sex Lives of Famous People (1981)
A candid and well-researched look at the private lives and sexual habits of hundreds of historical figures, from movie stars to monarchs.
The Book of Lists, Vol. 2
A follow-up to the smash hit, featuring all-new lists on hundreds of new topics.
Significa (1983)
Another collection of esoteric knowledge and trivia, similar in spirit to The People's Almanac.
The Secret Sex Lives of Famous People (1993)
Published posthumously, this is likely a revised edition of The Intimate Sex Lives of Famous People, continuing his exploration of the private lives of the well-known.
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The Wallace Legacy: Film Adaptations and Enduring Popularity
Irving Wallace's high-concept plots were practically made for Hollywood. Several of his novels were adapted into successful films, bringing his stories to an even wider audience.
- The Chapman Report (1962): Directed by the legendary George Cukor, this film brought the controversial story of the sex survey to the big screen.
- The Prize (1963): A star-studded adaptation featuring Paul Newman, this film captured the espionage and glamour of the Nobel Prize thriller.
- The Seven Minutes (1971): This adaptation brought the intense courtroom drama over censorship and obscenity to life.
- The Man (1972): A TV movie starring James Earl Jones as President Douglass Dilman, this adaptation was a powerful and timely piece of political drama.
The adaptability of his work is a testament to his strong storytelling. It's no wonder many aspiring writers look to him for inspiration, seeking out resources like finding literary agents for screenwriters to follow a similar path.
Even decades after his passing, Irving Wallace's books remain in print and continue to find new readers. His ability to blend meticulous research with gripping, often controversial, storytelling created a formula for success that few have been able to replicate. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, this complete list gives you the perfect roadmap to explore the incredible literary world he created.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Irving Wallace's most famous book?
While several of his books were massive bestsellers, his most famous are likely The Chapman Report (1960) for its controversy and impact, and the non-fiction sensation The Book of Lists (1977), which became a cultural touchstone.
Do you have to read Irving Wallace's books in order?
No, you do not. All of Irving Wallace's 16 novels are standalone stories with their own unique plots and characters. You can pick up any book that sounds interesting to you and start there without needing any prior knowledge of his other works.
How many books did Irving Wallace write in total?
Irving Wallace was a prolific author who published a total of 33 books during his career. This includes 16 novels and 17 non-fiction works, many of which were co-authored with his family.
What genre did Irving Wallace write in?
Wallace is best known for writing thrillers, particularly political, historical, and espionage thrillers. However, his work often blended genres, incorporating elements of drama, romance, and even science fiction. His non-fiction works are primarily popular history and trivia collections.
Are Irving Wallace's books still in print?
Yes, many of his most popular titles are still in print and are also widely available as ebooks and audiobooks. You can also easily find used copies of his entire bibliography in secondhand bookstores and online, which speaks to his enduring popularity with readers.