Lonesome Dove Reading Order

Here's the correct Lonesome Dove reading order: every book in the right order, where to start, and answers to common questions.

Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove saga follows Texas Rangers Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Woodrow F. Call across fifty years of the American West. McMurtry wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lonesome Dove first, then a sequel and two prequels, which is why people argue about the right reading order.

Our Recommendation: Read Lonesome Dove First Read Lonesome Dove first; it's the best book and the prequels assume you know how it ends. Then either continue in publication order (Streets of Laredo, Dead Man's Walk, Comanche Moon) or read the prequels and finish with Streets of Laredo. First-time readers shouldn't start with Dead Man's Walk.

Chronological Order (Story Order)

Follows Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call from young Texas Rangers to old men.

  1. Dead Man's WalkBuy NowAudible1995
  2. Comanche MoonBuy NowAudible1997
  3. Lonesome DoveBuy NowAudible1985
  4. Streets of LaredoBuy NowAudible1993
Own the Complete Series Buying the whole series at once is usually cheaper than individual books, and box sets make a great gift. See Lonesome Dove box set options on Amazon ›

Publication Order

The order McMurtry wrote them. Lonesome Dove won the Pulitzer Prize.

  1. Lonesome DoveBuy NowAudible1985
  2. Streets of LaredoBuy NowAudible1993
  3. Dead Man's WalkBuy NowAudible1995
  4. Comanche MoonBuy NowAudible1997

Lonesome Dove TV Watch Order

For the miniseries that follow McMurtry's books, watch in story order: Dead Man's Walk (1996), Comanche Moon (2008), Lonesome Dove (1989), then Streets of Laredo (1995). Return to Lonesome Dove (1993) and the syndicated Lonesome Dove: The Series were not based on McMurtry's novels and don't match the books, so treat them as optional. The 1989 Lonesome Dove miniseries is the one to watch if you only watch one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct Lonesome Dove reading order?

Read Lonesome Dove first; it's the best book and the prequels assume you know how it ends. Then either continue in publication order (Streets of Laredo, Dead Man's Walk, Comanche Moon) or read the prequels and finish with Streets of Laredo. First-time readers shouldn't start with Dead Man's Walk.

Is the Lonesome Dove series finished?

Yes. All four Lonesome Dove novels are published.

Should I read Lonesome Dove in chronological order?

Not on a first read. Lonesome Dove was written first and is the heart of the saga; the prequels are richer once you know what happens to Gus and Call. Chronological order works well for a re-read.

Is Streets of Laredo worth reading?

It's a darker, sparer sequel that follows Call after Lonesome Dove. Many readers save it for last, since it closes the saga chronologically.

What order should I watch the Lonesome Dove miniseries in?

In story order: Dead Man's Walk, Comanche Moon, Lonesome Dove, Streets of Laredo. Return to Lonesome Dove isn't based on a McMurtry book.

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