The Border Trilogy Reading Order
Here's the correct Border Trilogy reading order: every book in the right order, where to start, and answers to common questions.
Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy follows young cowboys in the American Southwest and Mexico in the late 1930s and 1940s. All the Pretty Horses follows John Grady Cole, The Crossing follows Billy Parham, and Cities of the Plain brings the two together. All the Pretty Horses won the National Book Award.
The Border Trilogy in Order
- All the Pretty HorsesBuy NowAudible1992
- The CrossingBuy NowAudible1994
- Cities of the PlainBuy NowAudible1998
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct Border Trilogy reading order?
Read All the Pretty Horses, then The Crossing, then Cities of the Plain. The first two books have different heroes and can each stand alone, but Cities of the Plain brings them together and needs both.
Is the Border Trilogy finished?
Yes. Cities of the Plain (1998) completes the trilogy.
Can I read The Crossing before All the Pretty Horses?
Yes. The Crossing has a different main character and stands on its own. But read both before Cities of the Plain, which unites John Grady Cole and Billy Parham.
Is Blood Meridian part of the Border Trilogy?
No. Blood Meridian (1985) is a separate novel set in the 1840s, though it's often read alongside the trilogy as McCarthy's other great Western.
Where should I start with Cormac McCarthy?
See our Cormac McCarthy where-to-start guide. All the Pretty Horses is one of the most approachable entry points.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Last updated: October 2026.