Photo of Larry Niven
Open Library

Larry Niven

6 series 50 books in order 1966–2005

Laurence van Cott Niven, known as Larry Niven, is an American science fiction writer born in Los Angeles in 1938. His best-known work is Ringworld (1970), winner of Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. He was named the 2015 recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award by the Science Fiction Writers of America. His work is primarily hard science fiction featuring big science concepts and theoretical physics, often blended with detective fiction and adventure. His fantasy series The Magic Goes Away treats magic as a non-renewable resource.

Born
1938
Active years
1966–2005
Known for
Ringworld series, CoDominium, Known Space, The State

Series by Larry Niven

Ringworld series

4 books in order · 1970–2004 · Publication order

  1. Cover of Ringworld

    Ringworld

    1970 · Larry Niven

    Ringworld is a 1970 science fiction novel by Larry Niven set in his Known Space universe. The story follows Louis Wu and his companions as they…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  2. The Ringworld Engineers

    1979 · Larry Niven

    The Ringworld Engineers is a 1979 science fiction novel by American writer Larry Niven. It is the first sequel to Niven's Ringworld and was nominated…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  3. Cover of The Ringworld throne

    The Ringworld throne

    1996 · Larry Niven

    The 1996 novel by Larry Niven returns to the Ringworld, an immense artificial habitat created by an advanced civilization. The story brings together…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  4. Cover of Ringworld's Children

    Ringworld's Children

    2004 · Larry Niven

    A 2004 novel by Larry Niven. Explorer Louise Wu becomes enmeshed in interplanetary and interspecies intrigue on the Ringworld, a vast engineered…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon

CoDominium

5 books in order · 1974–1993

Known Space

9 books in order · 1966–1980

  1. Cover of World of Ptavvs

    World of Ptavvs

    1966 · Larry Niven

    A 1966 novel by Larry Niven. "Get out of my mind!" Nothing quite prepared telepath Larry Greenberg for mind-to-mind contact with an alien.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  2. Cover of A Gift from Earth

    A Gift from Earth

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    The world called Mount Lookitthat, shrouded in lethal mists, was never meant for humans, but colonization could not be reversed, and settlers…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  3. Cover of All the Myriad Ways

    All the Myriad Ways

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    This is a collection of fourteen short stories and essays by science fiction author Larry Niven, originally published in 1971. It includes titles…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  4. Cover of Protector

    Protector

    1973 · Larry Niven

    Phssthpok the Pak had been traveling most of his 32,000 years on a mission to save, develop, and protect a group of Pak breeders sent into space some…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  5. Cover of Tales of Known Space

    Tales of Known Space

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    This is a science fiction collection by American writer Larry Niven, gathering thirteen short stories published between 1964 and 1975, all set in…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  6. Cover of The long arm of Gil Hamilton

    The long arm of Gil Hamilton

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon

The State

3 books in order · 1976–1987

The Draco Tavern

28 books in order · 1979

  1. The Subject Is Closed

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    The Subject Is Closed is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 1 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  2. Grammar Lesson

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    Grammar Lesson is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 2 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  3. Assimilating Our Culture, That's What They're Doing!

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    Assimilating Our Culture, That's What They're Doing! is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 3 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  4. The Schumann Computer

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    The Schumann Computer is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 4 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  5. The Green Marauder

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    The Green Marauder is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 5 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  6. The Real Thing

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    The Real Thing is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 6 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  7. War Movie

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    War Movie is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 7 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  8. Limits

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    Limits is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 8 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  9. Table Manners

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    Table Manners is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 9 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  10. One Night at the Draco Tavern

    Year unknown · Larry Niven

    One Night at the Draco Tavern is a book by Larry Niven. It is book 10 of the series The Draco Tavern.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
Show all 28 The Draco Tavern books in order →

The Magic Goes Away

4 books in order · 1978–2005

  1. Cover of The Magic Goes Away

    The Magic Goes Away

    1978 · Larry Niven

    Selfish, short-sighted magicians have exhausted the mana that once moved the world, and magic is fading. As even the most powerful spells lose their…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  2. The Magic May Return

    1981 · Larry Niven

    The Magic May Return is a 1981 book by Larry Niven. It is book 2 of the series The Magic Goes Away.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon
  3. Cover of More Magic

    More Magic

    1984 · Larry Niven

    More Magic is a 1984 book by Larry Niven. It is book 3 of the series The Magic Goes Away.

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

How many books has Larry Niven written?

We list 50 books by Larry Niven across 6 series, published between 1966–2005 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Larry Niven's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “Ringworld.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Larry Niven's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Bibliography and reading orders compiled from verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.