William W. Johnstone Books in Order: The Complete Guide to Mountain Man, Ashes, Eagles and Every Western He Wrote

William W. Johnstone wrote fast, hard and without apology, and his catalog shows it. Between the classic Mountain Man westerns, the survivalist Ashes books, the horror novels and dozens of newer series carried on with J.A. Johnstone, the reading order can look like a wall of titles. Our catalog lists 102 series and 584 books under his name, which is exactly why readers search for a clear place to begin.

This guide sorts it out. You will find the four flagship series listed title by title, a quick map of every other major series, his horror and standalone novels, and a plain answer to the question most people ask first: which Johnstone book should I read first?

How William W. Johnstone’s Books Are Organized

Johnstone’s work falls into a few clear groups, and each one is meant to be read in its own publication order. You do not need to read the groups in any set sequence.

• Frontier westerns: the Mountain Man and First Mountain Man families, plus dozens of newer spin-off series
• Post-apocalyptic and survivalist fiction: the Ashes series, Code Name, Rig Warrior, Black Ops and Invasion USA
• Horror: the Satan Influenced books, The Devil series and standalone chillers such as Bats, Them and Watchers in the Woods
• Standalone thrillers and westerns: 32 novels from The Sanction (1981) to The Valley of the Three Forks (2026)
• Non-fiction: From the Ashes: America Reborn (1998)

Many titles after Johnstone’s death in 2004 are credited to William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone, who has carried the family’s western series forward.

The Mountain Man Series in Order (55 Books)

The Mountain Man series is the heart of the Johnstone catalog. It follows Smoke Jensen, a Colorado rancher and one of the fastest guns in the West, who was raised and trained by the legendary mountain man Preacher. In The Last Mountain Man, Smoke’s past and his fighting skills collide, setting up a run of books that follow him through range wars, betrayals and showdowns. In Wrath of the Mountain Man, a trusted town doctor betrays Smoke and a corrupt sheriff holds his friend hostage, and Smoke refuses to leave a brother behind.

The first dozen Mountain Man books set up Smoke Jensen’s world of range wars, revenge and loyalty. Here is what each one is about:

The Last Mountain Man (1984)

After his family is killed, a Missouri farm boy heads west, trained by the mountain man Preacher, to prepare for revenge on the men who spared him.

Return of the Mountain Man (1986)

Smoke Jensen tracks down the killers of his brother to Idaho Territory, where a town built on stolen gold harbours the outlaws his father once hunted.

Trail of the Mountain Man (1987)

A gold rush draws criminals to No-Name, Colorado, so Smoke recruits twenty seasoned fighters to defend the town as violence takes hold.

Revenge of the Mountain Man (1988)

Returning home, Smoke finds his wife badly wounded by gunmen and sets out to hunt down the attackers before they can finish the job.

Journey of the Mountain Man (1989)

Smoke rides to Montana to aid his cousin Fae, who is caught in a range war, joined by four old friends.

Law of the Mountain Man (1989)

An unseen enemy pulls Smoke toward Jud Vale’s dangerous gang, forcing him to pick a side in the fight.

War of the Mountain Man (1990)

Outlaw Max Higgins seizes Smoke’s wife and demands the town of Barlow as ransom, turning the conflict into a personal fight.

Code of the Mountain Man (1991)

Smoke, who had given up gunfighting to raise his family, returns to violence when Lee Slater’s gang shoots his wife Sally.

Pursuit of the Mountain Man (1991)

A German count arrives in the American West intending to hunt Smoke rather than game. Smoke must use his mountain knowledge to survive gunmen in Wyoming’s Rockies.

Blood of the Mountain Man (1992)

Smoke goes to Red Light, Montana, to settle his late sister’s estate, only to face a local tyrant who wants the gold under her land.

Courage of the Mountain Man (1992)

Smoke drives a large cattle herd into Montana, challenging rancher Clint Black’s dominance, and Black’s hired killers turn the trip into open combat.

Fury of the Mountain Man (1993)

Smoke travels to Mexico to help two old friends stop an outlaw’s crime spree, drawn in by his loyalty to them.

The complete reading order, including every later title, is below.

Read these in publication order:

1. The Last Mountain Man (1984)
2. Return of the Mountain Man (1986)
3. Trail of the Mountain Man (1987)
4. Revenge of the Mountain Man (1988)
5. Journey of the Mountain Man (1989)
6. Law of the Mountain Man (1989)
7. War of the Mountain Man (1990)
8. Code of the Mountain Man (1991)
9. Pursuit of the Mountain Man (1991)
10. Courage of the Mountain Man (1992)
11. Blood of the Mountain Man (1992)
12. Fury of the Mountain Man (1993)
13. Rage of the Mountain Man (1994)
14. Cunning of the Mountain Man (1994)
15. Power of the Mountain Man (1995)
16. Spirit of the Mountain Man (1995)
17. Ordeal of the Mountain Man (1996)
18. Triumph of the Mountain Man (1997)
19. Vengeance of the Mountain Man (1997)
20. Honor of the Mountain Man (1998)
21. Battle of the Mountain Man (1998)
22. Pride of the Mountain Man (1998)
23. Creed of the Mountain Man (1999)
24. Guns of the Mountain Man (1999)
25. Heart of the Mountain Man (2000)
26. Justice of the Mountain Man (2000)
27. Valor of the Mountain Man (2001)
28. Warpath of the Mountain Man (2002)
29. Trek of the Mountain Man (2002)
30. Quest of the Mountain Man (2003)
31. Ambush of the Mountain Man (2003)
32. Wrath of the Mountain Man (2004)
33. Destiny of the Mountain Man (2005)
34. Betrayal of the Mountain Man (2006)
35. Rampage of the Mountain Man (2007)
36. Violence of the Mountain Man (2008)
37. Savagery of the Mountain Man (2009)
38. Shootout of the Mountain Man (2010)
39. Assault of the Mountain Man (2011)
40. Strike of the Mountain Man (2012)
41. Butchery of the Mountain Man (2013)
42. Terror of the Mountain Man (2014)
43. Bloodshed of the Mountain Man (2015)
44. Brutal Night of the Mountain Man (2016)
45. Venom of the Mountain Man (2017)
46. Torture of the Mountain Man (2018)
47. Where There’s Fire, There’s Smoke (2019)
48. Bloody Trail of the Mountain Man (2019)
49. Texas Kill of the Mountain Man (2020)
50. Slaughter of the Mountain Man (2021)
51. Cruel Winter of the Mountain Man (2022)
52. Dark Night of the Mountain Man (2023)
53. Blood Bounty of the Mountain Man (2024)
54. As Good as Dead (2025)
55. Thunder of the Mountain Man (2025)

The First Mountain Man Series in Order (32 Books)

This series turns the spotlight on Preacher, the frontier legend who taught Smoke Jensen how to survive. It goes back to the legend behind the man and shows how Preacher earned his reputation in the Rocky Mountain West. Later titles carry his name directly, so they are easy to follow.

1. The First Mountain Man (1991)
2. Blood on the Divide (1992)
3. Absaroka Ambush (1993)
4. Forty Guns West (1993)
5. Cheyenne Challenge (1995)
6. Preacher and the Mountain Caesar (1995)
7. Blackfoot Messiah (1996)
8. Preacher (2002)
9. Preacher’s Peace (2003)
10. Preacher’s Justice (2004)
11. Preacher’s Journey (2005)
12. Preacher’s Fortune (2006)
13. Preacher’s Quest (2007)
14. Preacher’s Showdown (2008)
15. Preacher’s Pursuit (2009)
16. Preacher’s Fire (2009)
17. Preacher’s Assault (2011)
18. Preacher’s Fury (2012)
19. Preacher’s Massacre (2012)
20. Preacher’s Blood Hunt (2014)
21. Preacher’s Slaughter (2014)
22. Preacher’s Bloodbath (2015)
23. Preacher’s Hellstorm (2016)
24. Preacher’s Kill (2017)
25. Preacher’s Rage (2018)
26. Preacher’s Frenzy (2019)
27. Preacher’s Carnage (2020)
28. Preacher’s Inferno (2021)
29. Preacher’s Purge (2022)
30. Preacher’s Bloody Rampage (2023)
31. Preacher’s Strike (2024)
32. Preacher’s Hell (2026)

The Ashes Series in Order (34 Books)

Ashes is Johnstone’s best-known non-western series, a survivalist saga that follows Ben Raines as he fights to build a new society from the wreckage of a collapsed America. It opens with Out of the Ashes in 1983 and runs for three decades of action-heavy storytelling about survival, freedom and rebuilding civilization.

Here is what happens in the first eight Ashes books:

Out of the Ashes (1983)

After a nuclear war, Ben Raines searches for his lost family and meets survivors who help him start a resistance. Raiders and hostile government forces threaten his plans for a new society.

Anarchy in the Ashes (1984)

Raines and his Rebels try to restore order after nuclear and biological warfare. Mercenary Sam Hartline’s Russian army threatens to destroy their young nation.

Fire in the Ashes (1984)

Raines tries to build a new America, but government pressure pushes his Rebels into internal conflict. A dangerous group of mutants adds another threat.

Alone in the Ashes (1985)

Separated from his fighters, Raines crosses the wrecked country by himself. He evades gang leaders Cowboy Vic and Texas Red while deciding when to turn on his pursuers.

Blood in the Ashes (1985)

The Ninth Order, a violent cult, attacks Raines’s rebuilding effort and plants traitors among the Rebels, endangering him and his community.

Wind in the Ashes (1986)

From a hidden western base, Raines plans an assault on Russian invaders and the traitor Sam Hartline. He must fight without reinforcements, and the Rebels’ future rides on the result.

Smoke from the Ashes (1987)

The terrorist Khamasin attacks Raines’s Rebels as they rebuild. Starving cannibal mutants in the ruined cities force the survivors to defend themselves on several fronts.

Danger in the Ashes (1988)

While fighting cannibals, Raines faces a revived Ku Klux Klan. Its campaign of racial hatred adds an organised human enemy to the Rebels’ struggles.

The complete reading order, including every later title, is below.

1. Out of the Ashes (1983)
2. Fire in the Ashes (1984)
3. Anarchy in the Ashes (1984)
4. Blood in the Ashes (1985)
5. Alone in the Ashes (1985)
6. Wind in the Ashes (1986)
7. Smoke from the Ashes (1987)
8. Danger in the Ashes (1988)
9. Valor in the Ashes (1988)
10. Trapped in the Ashes (1989)
11. Death in the Ashes (1990)
12. Survival in the Ashes (1990)
13. Fury in the Ashes (1991)
14. Courage in the Ashes (1991)
15. Terror in the Ashes (1992)
16. Vengeance in the Ashes (1993)
17. Battle in the Ashes (1993)
18. Flames from the Ashes (1993)
19. Treason in the Ashes (1994)
20. D-Day in the Ashes (1994)
21. Betrayal in the Ashes (1996)
22. Chaos in the Ashes (1996)
23. Slaughter in the Ashes (1997)
24. Judgment in the Ashes (1997)
25. Ambush in the Ashes (1997)
26. Triumph in the Ashes (1998)
27. Hatred in the Ashes (1998)
28. Standoff in the Ashes (1998)
29. Crisis in the Ashes (1998)
30. Tyranny in the Ashes (2000)
31. Warriors from the Ashes (2001)
32. Destiny in the Ashes (2001)
33. Enemy in the Ashes (2002)
34. Escape from the Ashes (2003)

The Eagles Series in Order (18 Books)

The Eagles series is a western saga that runs from 1993 to 2013, with every title built around the word “Eagles.” It is a good pick if you want a long frontier series that sits just outside the main Jensen run, and it connects to the MacCallister books that follow.

The Eagles series follows the MacCallister family across the frontier. Here are the first eight books:

Eyes of Eagles (1993)

After being kidnapped as a boy and raised by the Shawnee, Jamie MacAllister reaches a Kentucky settlement. His bond with Kate Olmstead and clashes with powerful enemies send the couple farther west.

Dreams of Eagles (1994)

Jamie crosses Texas, Colorado and California during a shifting frontier. He joins Kit Carson on an army expedition toward the Pacific, where greed brings new dangers.

Talons of Eagles (1995)

The Civil War splits Jamie’s family, with his sons fighting on opposite sides. He leads Confederate fighters into battle and faces an enemy who vows to pursue him afterward.

Scream of Eagles (1996)

After his wife’s murder, Jamie hunts the Miles Nelson gang with his sons. The chase takes them from Atlantic City to the Colorado Rockies and toward Little Big Horn.

Rage of Eagles (1998)

Falcon MacCallister seeks revenge for his father’s killing and pursues the Noonan gang. The search draws him into Wyoming’s range wars and fights with dangerous gunmen.

Cry of Eagles (1999)

A clash with two ambitious young gunmen makes Falcon MacCallister a wanted man again. He evades a vengeful posse across the Southwest.

Song of Eagles (1999)

A cattle war pulls Falcon into New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. During the Lincoln County conflict, he meets Billy the Kid and must decide whether to trust the outlaw.

Blood of Eagles (2000)

Falcon tracks the outlaws who ambushed a wagon train, accompanied by a young Native American boy. His search through the Oklahoma Panhandle uncovers greed and betrayal tied to a new railway.

The complete reading order, including every later title, is below.

1. Eyes of Eagles (1993)
2. Dreams of Eagles (1994)
3. Talons of Eagles (1995)
4. Scream of Eagles (1996)
5. Rage of Eagles (1998)
6. Song of Eagles (1999)
7. Cry of Eagles (1999)
8. Blood of Eagles (2000)
9. Destiny of Eagles (2004)
10. Revenge of Eagles (2005)
11. Pride of Eagles (2006)
12. Crusade of Eagles (2007)
13. Thunder of Eagles (2008)
14. Bloodshed of Eagles (2009)
15. Slaughter of Eagles (2010)
16. Massacre of Eagles (2011)
17. Carnage of Eagles (2012)
18. Defiance of Eagles (2013)

Other Major Johnstone Western Series

Once you know which hero you like, these spin-offs let you keep going. Every series below should be read in its own publication order. The first book is listed so you know where to begin.

Johnstone’s Survivalist, Thriller and Horror Series

• Code Name (7 books, 2000 to 2005): a covert-action series that begins with Code Name: Payback.
• Dog Team (4 books, 1981 to 2010): begins with The Last of the Dog Team.
• Rig Warrior (4 books, 1987 to 2020): begins with Rig Warrior.
• Black Ops (4 books, 2006 to 2010): begins with American Jihad.
• Invasion USA (2 books, 2006): Invasion USA and Border War.
• Satan Influenced (14 books, 1983 to 1999): a horror series that begins with A Crying Shame and The Nursery.
• The Devil (5 books): begins with The Devil’s Kiss and continues with The Devil’s Heart, The Devil’s Touch, The Devil’s Cat and The Devil’s Laughter.

Johnstone Standalone Novels in Order

Johnstone also wrote standalone horror, thriller and western novels. The early ones are the most notable:

1. The Sanction (1981)
2. The Initiation (1982)
3. Dagger (1984), written under the pen name William Mason
4. Eagle Down (1985), also written as William Mason
5. Bloodland (1986)
6. Death Master (1987)
7. Watchers in the Woods (1991)
8. Them (1992)
9. Bats (1993)
10. Night Mask (1994)
11. What the Heart Knows (1995)
12. Breakdown (1997)
13. Ordeal (1998)
14. Vengeance Is Mine (2005)

Later standalones are credited to William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. They include The Blood of Patriots (2012), The Bleeding Edge (2012), Suicide Mission (2013), Stand Your Ground (2014), Tyranny (2015), Black Friday (2016), The Doomsday Bunker (2017), Trigger Warning (2018), The Scorching (2021), Down the Dark Streets (2022), The Wicked and the Dead (2024), Not My Home (2024), The Dead We Honor (2025), Hard Men to Kill (2025), The Last Ride of the Dirty Creek Gang (2026) and The Valley of the Three Forks (2026).

Where to Start With William W. Johnstone

• For classic western action: The Last Mountain Man (Mountain Man, book 1).
• For the Preacher origin story: The First Mountain Man (First Mountain Man, book 1).
• For post-apocalyptic survival fiction: Out of the Ashes (Ashes, book 1).
• For a long, bingeable western run: The Last Gunfighter, which begins with The Drifter.
• For horror: Bats, Them or the first Satan Influenced book.
• For a short, low-commitment sample: any of the early standalones, such as The Sanction.

Frequently Asked Questions About William W. Johnstone’s Books

What is the first William W. Johnstone book?

His earliest published novel is usually given as The Devil’s Kiss, the first book in The Devil horror series. Sources disagree about its exact first publication date, which is why this guide lists series by their own reading orders. The first book in his best-known western series is The Last Mountain Man (1984).

In what order should I read the Mountain Man books?

Read them in publication order, from The Last Mountain Man (1984) to Thunder of the Mountain Man (2025). The full list of 55 titles is above. Each book is largely self-contained, so skipping around is possible, but the order helps with recurring characters.

Should I read The First Mountain Man or The Last Mountain Man first?

Either works. The Last Mountain Man introduces Smoke Jensen, while The First Mountain Man focuses on Preacher, who raised him. Many readers start with Smoke and move to Preacher afterward.

How many books did William W. Johnstone write?

During his lifetime he wrote over 200 books. With the many titles released since his death in 2004 and credited to William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone, our catalog now counts 584 books across 102 series.

Who is J.A. Johnstone?

J.A. Johnstone is the writer credited alongside William W. Johnstone on titles published after his death in 2004. The partnership continues the family’s western series for new readers.

Did William W. Johnstone write under a pen name?

Yes. Two of his novels, Dagger and Eagle Down, were published under the pen name William Mason.

Are the Ashes books connected to the Mountain Man books?

No. Ashes is a separate post-apocalyptic series that follows Ben Raines. The Mountain Man, First Mountain Man and related Jensen series share characters and a world.

Which Johnstone series is the longest?

The Mountain Man series, with 55 books published between 1984 and 2025.

What Johnstone books are horror?

His horror includes Bats, Them, Watchers in the Woods, Night Mask, the 14-book Satan Influenced series and The Devil series.

Where can I find a complete William W. Johnstone checklist?

Use the series lists on this page as your checklist. We update this guide as new Johnstone titles are announced.

About William W. Johnstone

William Wallace Johnstone was born on October 28, 1938, in southern Missouri, the youngest of four children. He left school at fifteen to join a carnival, later finished high school, and went on to work as a deputy sheriff and a radio broadcaster before turning to writing full time. He began writing in 1970 and wrote more than 200 books before his death on February 8, 2004, at age 65.

His best-known creations are the Mountain Man and First Mountain Man westerns, the Ashes survivalist series and the Eagles saga. Since his death, J.A. Johnstone has carried on the family’s western series, which is why new Johnstone titles keep appearing every year. For a reader looking for a reliable, fast-moving western, that long shelf is a feature, not a bug.

My Take as a Reader

A catalog this large rewards a simple rule: pick one hero and stay with him. I would start with Smoke Jensen. The books move quickly, the villains are easy to dislike, and you can stop at any point and feel you got a complete story.

Final Note

William W. Johnstone left readers one of the largest and most approachable western catalogs in print. Start with The Last Mountain Man, The First Mountain Man or Out of the Ashes, follow the publication order above, and let the series you enjoy lead you to the next. Bookmark this page, because it grows whenever a new Johnstone title is announced.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.