E. L. Doctorow books in order
Novelist, editor, professor
- Lived
- 1931–2015
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 21
E. L. Doctorow published 16 novels, 3 short story collections, 1 non-fiction book and 1 play, beginning with The Book of Daniel (1971). The best-known is Billy Bathgate M/TV (1989).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with E. L. Doctorow
Start here
Billy Bathgate M/TV
E. L. Doctorow's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Welcome to Hard Times (1960)
The Book of Daniel (1971)
Ragtime (1975)
Loon Lake (1980)
E.l. Doctorow, Essays and Conversations (1983)
World's Fair (1985)
Billy Bathgate (1989)
Billy Bathgate M/TV (1989)
The Waterworks (1994)
Bill Bathgate (1998)
City of God (2000)
Karoo (2004)
The March (2005)
Homer & Langley (2009)
Homer and Langley (2009)
Andrew's Brain (2014)
Short story collections in order
Lives of the Poets (1984)
Sweet Land Stories (2004)
All the Time in the World (Mar 2011)
Non-fiction in order
Creationists: Selected Essays (2006)
Plays in order
Drinks Before Dinner (1979)
Film and TV adaptations
- Ragtime (1981)Film · from Ragtime
- Billy Bathgate (1991)Film · from Billy Bathgate
About E. L. Doctorow
Edgar Lawrence Doctorow was an American novelist, editor, and professor, known for his historical fiction.
He wrote twelve novels, three volumes of short fiction and a stage drama, including the award-winning novels Ragtime (1975), Billy Bathgate (1989), and The March (2005). These, like many of his other works, placed fictional characters in recognizable historical contexts, with known historical figures, and often used different narrative styles. His stories were recognized for their originality and versatility, and Doctorow was praised for his audacity and imagination.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
E. L. Doctorow FAQ
- How many books has E. L. Doctorow written?
- E. L. Doctorow published 16 novels, 3 short story collections, 1 non-fiction book and 1 play that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read E. L. Doctorow's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Billy Bathgate M/TV.
- What is E. L. Doctorow's last book?
- Andrew's Brain (2014).
- What is E. L. Doctorow's most famous book?
- Billy Bathgate M/TV (1989) is E. L. Doctorow's most widely read book.
- Which E. L. Doctorow books have been adapted?
- 2 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Ragtime (film, 1981) and Billy Bathgate (film, 1991).
Authors like E. L. Doctorow
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.