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Douglas Adams

1952–2001

2 series 14 books in order 6 standalone books

Douglas Adams was a British science fiction writer and humorist born in Cambridge in March 1952. He was the creator of all the various manifestations of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Adams died unexpectedly in May 2001 of a sudden heart attack at the age of 49. His work is primarily associated with the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, which includes novels, radio plays, and television adaptations.

Born
1952
Known for
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Dirk Gently series

Series by Douglas Adams

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

6 books in order · 1979–2009 · Publication order

  1. Cover of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

    The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

    1979 · Douglas Adams

    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a 1979 science fiction comedy novel by Douglas Adams. It is based on the first four parts of his radio comedy…

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  2. Cover of The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

    The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

    1980 · Douglas Adams

    The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is the second book in Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy comedy science fiction "trilogy,"…

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  3. Cover of Life, the Universe and Everything

    Life, the Universe and Everything

    1982 · Douglas Adams

    This is the third book in the five-volume Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy science fiction 'trilogy' by British writer Douglas Adams. Its title…

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  4. Cover of So long, and thanks for all the fish

    So long, and thanks for all the fish

    1984 · Douglas Adams

    The fourth book of Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy "trilogy," its title is the message left by the dolphins when they departed Earth…

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  5. Cover of Mostly Harmless

    Mostly Harmless

    1992 · Douglas Adams

    The fifth volume in the Hitchhiker series, this 1992 novel by Douglas Adams follows Random, the daughter of Arthur Dent, as she leaves her remote…

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  6. Cover of And Another Thing...

    And Another Thing...

    2009

    This 2009 novel is the sixth and final installment of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy "trilogy of six books." Written by Eoin…

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Dirk Gently series

3 books in order · 1987–1996

  1. Cover of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

    Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

    1987 · Douglas Adams

    A 1987 novel by Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Per the book's own jacket description, it is a murderous…

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  2. Cover of The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

    The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

    1988 · Douglas Adams

    The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul is a 1988 humorous fantasy detective novel by Douglas Adams. It is the second book in the Dirk Gently series,…

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  3. Cover of The Salmon of Doubt

    The Salmon of Doubt

    1996 · Douglas Adams

    The Salmon of Doubt is a 2002 book by Douglas Adams, published after his death on Friday, May 11, 2001, at age forty-nine. It was assembled from…

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Standalone books

  1. Cover of Novels (Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy / Restaurant at the End of the Universe / Life, the Universe and Everything / So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish / Mostly Harmless)

    Novels (Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy / Restaurant at the End of the Universe / Life, the Universe and Everything / So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish / Mostly Harmless)

    2000

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  2. Cover of The Deeper Meaning of Liff

    The Deeper Meaning of Liff

    1995

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  3. Cover of Works (The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy / The Restaurant at the End of the Universe / Life, the Universe and Everything / So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish / Young Zaphod Plays it Safe)

    Works (The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy / The Restaurant at the End of the Universe / Life, the Universe and Everything / So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish / Young Zaphod Plays it Safe)

    1991

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  4. Cover of The meaning of Liff

    The meaning of Liff

    1984

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  5. Cover of Works (Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy / Restaurant at the End of the Universe / Life, the Universe and Everything / So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish / Mostly Harmless / Young Zaphod Plays it Safe)

    Works (Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy / Restaurant at the End of the Universe / Life, the Universe and Everything / So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish / Mostly Harmless / Young Zaphod Plays it Safe)

    Year unknown

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  6. Cover of Novels (Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy / Restaurant at the End of the Universe / Life, the Universe and Everything / So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish)

    Novels (Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy / Restaurant at the End of the Universe / Life, the Universe and Everything / So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish)

    Year unknown

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Frequently asked questions

How many books has Douglas Adams written?

We list 14 books by Douglas Adams across 2 series, published between 1979–2009 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Douglas Adams's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Douglas Adams's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.