Ossie Davis books in order
American actor, director, poet, playwright, writer, and social activist
- Lived
- 1917–2005
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 5
Ossie Davis published 2 non-fiction books, 2 children's books and 1 play, beginning with Purlie Victorious (1961). The best-known is Escape to Freedom (1976).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Ossie Davis
Start here
Escape to Freedom
Ossie Davis's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
With Ossie and Ruby (1998)
Life Lit by Some Large Vision (2006)
Children's books in order
Escape to Freedom (1976)
Just Like Martin (1992)
Plays in order
Purlie Victorious (1961)
About Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis was an American actor, director, writer, and activist. He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, from 1948 until his death. He received numerous accolades including an Emmy, a Grammy and a Writers Guild of America Award as well as nominations for four additional Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and Tony Award. Davis was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994 and received the National Medal of Arts in 1995, then Kennedy Center Honors in 2004.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Ossie Davis FAQ
- How many books has Ossie Davis written?
- Ossie Davis published 2 non-fiction books, 2 children's books and 1 play that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Ossie Davis's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Escape to Freedom.
- What is Ossie Davis's last book?
- Life Lit by Some Large Vision (2006).
- What is Ossie Davis's most famous book?
- Escape to Freedom (1976) is Ossie Davis's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.