Order of Book Series
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Robert A. Heinlein Books in Order

83 books are credited to Robert A. Heinlein, published between 1939 and 2025; 15 of them appeared after Robert A. Heinlein's death in 1988. The first book is Life Line (1939) and the newest is Delilah and the Space Rigger. Illustrated (2025). Publication order is the reading order below.

Robert A. Heinlein also publishes as Anson MacDonald, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside, Lyle Monroe, Simon York.

Books
83
Published
1939–2025
Confirmed
82 of 83 titles
Pages on record
16,415 in 49 of 83 books
Reading time
274–410 hours

Reading time is an estimate, not a recorded figure: 16,415 pages at 300 words a page, read at 200–300 words a minute, covering the 49 of 83 titles with a page count on record.

See all 83 books in order Printable Robert A. Heinlein checklist
Photo of Robert A. Heinlein, author

Robert A. Heinlein wrote science fiction from 1939, starting with the short story Life Line. Interplanetary voyages, space colonies, space opera and time travel are the recurring subjects, and the catalogue carries a Hugo Award winner. The Future History timeline groups a large part of the early work; the Juveniles were written for younger readers, and World As Myth came later. Eighty-two titles are catalogued, with editions dated through 2025.

How many Robert A. Heinlein books are there?

Robert A. Heinlein has 83 books, released between 1939 and 2025. 15 of them were published after Robert A. Heinlein's death in 1988. They include 5 separate series.

Robert A. Heinlein Books in Publication Order

The table lists all 83 Robert A. Heinlein books in the order they were published, with the release year, the page count where one is on record, and how many independent book listings confirm each title. Catalogue data as of September 2026.

  1. Cover of Life Line by Robert A. Heinlein, book 1 of the Robert A. Heinlein Short Story series (1939)
  2. Cover of Sixth Column / The Day After Tomorrow (As: Anson MacDonald) by Robert A. Heinlein (1941)
  3. Cover of Methuselah's Children by Robert A. Heinlein, book 4 of the Future History/Heinlein Timeline series (1941)
  4. Cover of Rocket Ship Galileo by Robert A. Heinlein, book 1 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1947)
  5. Cover of Beyond This Horizon (As: Anson MacDonald) by Robert A. Heinlein (1948)
  6. Cover of Space Cadet by Robert A. Heinlein, book 2 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1948)
  7. Cover of Red Planet by Robert A. Heinlein, book 3 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1949)
  8. Cover of Farmer in the Sky / Satellite Scout by Robert A. Heinlein, book 4 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1950)
  9. Cover of Destination Moon by Robert A. Heinlein, book 7 of the Robert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas series (1950)
  10. Cover of The Man Who Sold the Moon by Robert A. Heinlein, book 7 of the Future History/Heinlein Timeline series (1950)
  11. Cover of The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein, book 3 of the Robert A. Heinlein Standalone Novels series (1951)
  12. Cover of Between Planets / Planets in Combat by Robert A. Heinlein, book 5 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1951)
  13. Cover of The Green Hills of Earth by Robert A. Heinlein, book 8 of the Future History/Heinlein Timeline series (1951)
  14. Cover of Assignment in Eternity by Robert A. Heinlein, book 4 of the Robert A. Heinlein Short Story series (1953)
  15. Cover of Revolt in 2100 by Robert A. Heinlein, book 9 of the Future History/Heinlein Timeline series (1953)
  16. Cover of The Star Beast / Star Lummox by Robert A. Heinlein, book 8 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1954)
  17. Cover of Tunnel in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein, book 9 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1955)
  18. Cover of Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein, book 4 of the Robert A. Heinlein Standalone Novels series (1956)
  19. Cover of Time for the Stars by Robert A. Heinlein, book 10 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1956)
  20. Cover of The Door into Summer by Robert A. Heinlein, book 5 of the Robert A. Heinlein Standalone Novels series (1957)
  21. Cover of Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert A. Heinlein, book 11 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1957)
  22. Cover of Have Space Suit—Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein, book 12 of the Heinlein's Juveniles series (1958)
  23. Cover of Starship Troopers / Starship Soldier by Robert A. Heinlein (1959)
  24. Cover of The Menace from Earth by Robert A. Heinlein, book 6 of the Robert A. Heinlein Short Story series (1959)
  1. 1
    Life LineRobert A. Heinlein Short Story #11939 · confirmed 3/4
    1939–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  2. 2
    MisfitFuture History/Heinlein Timeline #11939 · 169 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1939169
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  3. 3
    The Roads Must RollRobert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas #11940 · confirmed 3/4
    1940–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  4. 4
    And He Built A Crooked House (Short Story)Robert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas #21940 · confirmed 1/4
    1940–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  5. 5
    Let There Be LightFuture History/Heinlein Timeline #21940 · confirmed 3/4
    1940–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  6. 6
    Blowups HappenFuture History/Heinlein Timeline #31940 · confirmed 3/4
    1940–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  7. 7
    Sixth Column / The Day After Tomorrow (As: Anson MacDonald)Robert A. Heinlein Standalone Novels #11941 · 256 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1941256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  8. 8
    UniverseRobert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas #31941 · confirmed 3/4
    1941–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  9. 9
    Logic of EmpireRobert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas #41941 · confirmed 3/4
    1941–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  10. 10
    Methuselah's ChildrenFuture History/Heinlein Timeline #41941 · confirmed 3/4
    1941–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  11. 11
    We Also Walk DogsFuture History/Heinlein Timeline #51941 · confirmed 3/4
    1941–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  12. 12
    Rocket Ship GalileoHeinlein's Juveniles #11947 · 211 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1947211
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  13. 13
    Beyond This Horizon (As: Anson MacDonald)Robert A. Heinlein Standalone Novels #21948 · confirmed 3/4
    1948–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  14. 14
    Ordeal in SpaceRobert A. Heinlein Short Story #21948 · confirmed 3/4
    1948–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  15. 15
    Space CadetHeinlein's Juveniles #21948 · 223 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1948223
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  16. 16
    Gentlemen, Be Seated!Robert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas #51948 · confirmed 3/4
    1948–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  17. 17
    Red PlanetHeinlein's Juveniles #31949 · confirmed 3/4
    1949–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  18. 18
    Nothing Ever Happens On The MoonRobert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas #61949 · confirmed 3/4
    1949–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  19. 19
    The Long WatchFuture History/Heinlein Timeline #61949 · confirmed 3/4
    1949–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  20. 20
    Waldo & Magic, Inc.Robert A. Heinlein Short Story #31950 · 294 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1950294
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  21. 21
    Farmer in the Sky / Satellite ScoutHeinlein's Juveniles #41950 · 224 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1950224
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  22. 22
    Destination MoonRobert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas #71950 · 145 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1950145
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  23. 23
    The Man Who Sold the MoonFuture History/Heinlein Timeline #71950 · 320 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1950320
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  24. 24
    The Puppet MastersRobert A. Heinlein Standalone Novels #31951 · confirmed 3/4
    1951–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  25. 25
    Between Planets / Planets in CombatHeinlein's Juveniles #51951 · 242 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1951242
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  26. 26
    The Green Hills of EarthFuture History/Heinlein Timeline #81951 · 288 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1951288
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  27. 27
    The Rolling Stones / Tramp Space Ship / Space Family StoneHeinlein's Juveniles #61952 · 309 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1952309
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  28. 28
    The Year of the JackpotRobert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas #81952 · confirmed 3/4
    1952–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  29. 29
    Assignment in EternityRobert A. Heinlein Short Story #41953 · 256 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1953256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  30. 30
    Starman JonesHeinlein's Juveniles #71953 · confirmed 3/4
    1953–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK

Robert A. Heinlein series and characters in order

The character linked below has its own reading-order page.

Robert A. Heinlein books grouped by series

Each title below is a row in the publication-order table above. None of these groups has a reading-order page of its own on this site.

Robert A. Heinlein Standalone Novels

17 books

17 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Robert A. Heinlein Short Story

15 books

15 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Robert A. Heinlein Short Stories/Novellas

12 books

12 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Heinlein's Juveniles in order

12 books
  1. 1. Rocket Ship Galileo
  2. 2. Space Cadet
  3. 3. Red Planet
  4. 4. Farmer in the Sky / Satellite Scout
  5. 5. Between Planets / Planets in Combat
  6. 6. The Rolling Stones / Tramp Space Ship / Space Family Stone
  7. 7. Starman Jones
  8. 8. The Star Beast / Star Lummox
  9. 9. Tunnel in the Sky
  10. 10. Time for the Stars
  11. 11. Citizen of the Galaxy
  12. 12. Have Space Suit—Will Travel

Future History/Heinlein Timeline in order

11 books
  1. 1. Misfit
  2. 2. Let There Be Light
  3. 3. Blowups Happen
  4. 4. Methuselah's Children
  5. 5. We Also Walk Dogs
  6. 6. The Long Watch
  7. 7. The Man Who Sold the Moon
  8. 8. The Green Hills of Earth
  9. 9. Revolt in 2100
  10. 10. Orphans of the Sky
  11. 11. The Past Through Tomorrow

Robert A. Heinlein Non-Fiction

7 books

7 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

World As Myth in order

4 books
  1. 1. Time Enough for Love
  2. 2. The Number of the Beast
  3. 3. The Cat Who Walks Through Walls
  4. 4. To Sail Beyond the Sunset

Robert A. Heinlein in order

2 books
  1. 1. Requiem
  2. 2. The Virginia Edition

Chap in order

1 book
  1. 1. The Notebooks of Lazarus Long

Future History - The Past Through Tomorrow in order

1 book
  1. 1. Space Jockey

Foundations of Fear Anthology

1 book

1 title published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Robert A. Heinlein Books in Chronological Order

By publication date, the Robert A. Heinlein books run from Life Line (1939) to Delilah and the Space Rigger. Illustrated (2025), the sequence in the table above. No separate story order is recorded for Robert A. Heinlein in the book listings this catalogue merges, so publication order is the only order on record.

Do you have to read Robert A. Heinlein books in order?

You only need to read Robert A. Heinlein books in order within each series: the books listed here span 5 separate series, and each series has its own publication order.

Where to start with Robert A. Heinlein

Start with Misfit (1939), the first Future History book. The earliest catalogued title overall is Life Line (1939).

What is the newest Robert A. Heinlein book?

Delilah and the Space Rigger. Illustrated (2025) is the newest Robert A. Heinlein book released so far.

Is there a new Robert A. Heinlein book coming?

No next Robert A. Heinlein book is announced in the catalogue, which is a gap in the listings it merges rather than a sign that the run has ended.

Awards Robert A. Heinlein has won

Wikidata records 20 awards and 19 nominations for Robert A. Heinlein. The most recent 12 are listed here. Each row states whether the title won or was shortlisted, and the year the award was given.

  • Retro Hugo Award for Best Novel2018Wonfor Beyond This Horizon
  • Retro Hugo Award for Best Novella2018Wonfor Waldo
  • Prometheus Award - Hall of Fame2017Wonfor Coventry
  • Retro Hugo Award for Best Novelette2016Wonfor The Roads Must Roll
  • Retro Hugo Award for Best Novella2016Wonfor "If This Goes On—"
  • Prometheus Award - Hall of Fame2003Wonfor Requiem
  • Retro Hugo Award for Best Novel2001Wonfor Farmer in the Sky
  • Retro Hugo Award for Best Novella2001Wonfor The Man Who Sold the Moon
  • Prometheus Award - Hall of Fame1998Wonfor Time Enough for Love
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame1998Won
  • Prometheus Award - Hall of Fame1996Wonfor Red Planet
  • Prometheus Award - Hall of Fame1987Wonfor Stranger in a Strange Land

Robert A. Heinlein at a glance

Died
Robert A. Heinlein died in 1988, according to Wikidata.
After death
Books credited to Robert A. Heinlein are still being published after Robert A. Heinlein's death in 1988; the newest appeared in 2025.
Release pace
Robert A. Heinlein books have appeared about one a year on average.
Length
16,415 pages across the 49 of 83 books with a recorded length, a median of 288 pages each.
Busiest decade
Most Robert A. Heinlein books, 24 of 83, were published in the 1950s.

What the Robert A. Heinlein books are about

53 of the 83 Robert A. Heinlein books carry subject tags in Open Library's catalogue. The subjects below are the ones that recur across them, most frequent first: science fiction is tagged on 44 of 53. The subjects are cataloguers’ headings, not a plot summary.