Jane Jacobs books in order
American–Canadian journalist, author, and activist
- Lived
- 1916–2006
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 11
Jane Jacobs published 2 novels, 6 non-fiction books and 3 other books, beginning with The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Jane Jacobs
Start here
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
Jane Jacobs's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961)
Edge of Empire (2002)
Non-fiction in order
The Economy of Cities (1969)
The Question of Separatism (1980)
Cities and the Wealth of Nations (1984)
Systems of Survival (1992)
The Nature of Economies (2000)
Dark Age Ahead (May 2004)
Other books in order
Canadian Cities and Sovereignty Association (1980)
A School Teacher In Old Alaska (1997)
Buildings Must Die (2014)
About Jane Jacobs
Jane Isabel Jacobs was an American-Canadian journalist, author, theorist, and activist who influenced urban studies, sociology, and economics. Her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961) argued that "urban renewal" and "slum clearance" did not respect the needs of city-dwellers.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Jane Jacobs FAQ
- How many books has Jane Jacobs written?
- Jane Jacobs published 2 novels, 6 non-fiction books and 3 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Jane Jacobs's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Death and Life of Great American Cities.
- What is Jane Jacobs's last book?
- Dark Age Ahead (2004).
- What is Jane Jacobs's most famous book?
- The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961) is Jane Jacobs's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.