Thomas Hobbes published 2 novels, 5 non-fiction books, 1 poetry collection and 1 other book, beginning with Leviathan (1668).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Thomas Hobbes
Start here
Leviathan
Thomas Hobbes's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
De Corpore (1655)
Leviathan (1668)
Non-fiction in order
De Cive (1642)
Leviathan (1651)
The Questions Concerning Liberty, Necessity, and Chance (1656)
Behemoth (1680)
Behemoth, the History of the Causes of the Civil-wars of England (1682)
Poetry in order
De Mirabilibus Pecci (1678)
Other books in order
Elements of Philosophy, the First Section, Concerning Body (1656)
Free to read
All free classicsThe English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 04 (of 11)
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 01 (of 11)
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11)
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 03 (of 11)
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 05 (of 11)
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 06 (of 11)
The Plague of Athens, which hapned in the second year of the Peloponnesian Warre
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 07 (of 11)
About Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher and political theorist, best known for his 1651 book Leviathan, in which he expounds an influential formulation of social contract theory. He is considered to be one of the founders of modern political philosophy.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Thomas Hobbes FAQ
- How many books has Thomas Hobbes written?
- Thomas Hobbes published 2 novels, 5 non-fiction books, 1 poetry collection and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Thomas Hobbes's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Leviathan.
- What is Thomas Hobbes's last book?
- Behemoth (1680).
- What is Thomas Hobbes's most famous book?
- Leviathan (1668) is Thomas Hobbes's most widely read book.
- Can I read Thomas Hobbes's books for free?
- Yes. 9 books by Thomas Hobbes are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Thomas Hobbes
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.