Emil Ludwig published 2 novels, 10 non-fiction books, 1 play and 8 other books, beginning with Bismarck (1921). The best-known is Cleopatra (1937).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Emil Ludwig
Start here
Cleopatra
Emil Ludwig's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
The Son Of Man (1928)
The Nile (1936)
Non-fiction in order
Goethe (1926)
Wilhelm Hohenzollern, the Last of the Kaisers (1926)
Genius and Character (1927)
The Son of Man, the Story of Jesus (1928)
Lincoln (1930)
Nine Etched from Life (1934)
Cleopatra (1937)
The Germans (1941)
The Torch of Freedom (1943)
Mackenzie King (1944)
Plays in order
Bismarck (1921)
Other books in order
Bismarck the Story of a Fighter (1927)
July '14 (1929)
Defender of Democracy (1935)
Roosevelt (1938)
Bolivar (1942)
Beethoven (1943)
Of Life and Love (1945)
Abraham Lincoln (1949)
About Emil Ludwig
Emil Ludwig was a German-Swiss author, known for his biographies and study of historical "greats."
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Emil Ludwig FAQ
- How many books has Emil Ludwig written?
- Emil Ludwig published 2 novels, 10 non-fiction books, 1 play and 8 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Emil Ludwig's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Cleopatra.
- What is Emil Ludwig's last book?
- Mackenzie King (1944).
- What is Emil Ludwig's most famous book?
- Cleopatra (1937) is Emil Ludwig's most widely read book.
Authors like Emil Ludwig
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.