# The Dark Tower, which books and what order? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 16, 2003, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-tower-which-books-and-what-order/169061 "2003-04-16T12:47:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Second](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Second](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Second)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-tower-which-books-and-what-order/169061/1 "2003-04-16T12:47:26Z")
After reading RawkStah’s [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=173643) which mentions that the DT series is finished and that the gunslinger will be rewritten, has me wanting to dive back into the series anew. My first read through I only read the canon books, DT 1-4. Only later did I realize many of his other works has links to the DT universe. So what order would be best to read? Including all the other books relating to DT. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-tower-which-books-and-what-order/169061/2 "2003-04-16T15:00:47Z")
These aren’t in order, as I haven’t read all of them myself. _The Stand_ - has a lot of material about Randall Flagg. _The Talisman_ and _Black House_ - has a character that goes back and forth between our world and Roland’s. _Insomnia_ - has (I believe) more info on Flagg (or Walter - I believe they’re the same, no?). _Eye of the Dragon_ - good intro to the character of Walter, set in Roland’s world. Written more in the style of _The Gunslinger_, if that’s your bag. _'Salem’s Lot_ - has a character that looks to play a part in Dark Tower V. _Hearts in Atlantis_ - has a character known as a “Beam Breaker” - good supplementary info on the nature of the Tower. _Everything’s Eventual_ - contains a short story about Roland. Not necessary for the story, but hey, it’s Roland! That’s all I have off the top of my head. These are the major works - there are of course, like the rest of King’s work - various references and nods in his other books scattered throughout. ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-tower-which-books-and-what-order/169061/3 "2003-04-16T16:14:27Z")
In this case, I think the order makes quite little difference (although I would start with The Stand as a good foundation for anything). IMHO none of the other books have anything completely vital to the story, it’s just small tastes here and their throughout his works. Like a side order of fries so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_of\_the\_CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Earl\_of\_the\_CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_of_the_CC)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-tower-which-books-and-what-order/169061/4 "2003-04-16T20:48:55Z")
Wait a minute. I’ve read the first DT, The Gunslinger, and The Stand. Are you telling me Randall Flagg is the same person as the man in black? :eek: Wow. Er… Randall Flagg seems a lot more… Evil, in The Stand. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-tower-which-books-and-what-order/169061/5 "2003-04-16T20:51:24Z")
Keep reading! ---
**Author:** ![Second](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Second](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Second)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-tower-which-books-and-what-order/169061/6 "2003-04-16T22:17:52Z")
Thank you for the responses :). I’m going to pick up the stand on the way home from work today. Thanx much. ---
**Author:** ![bjohn13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@bjohn13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bjohn13)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dark-tower-which-books-and-what-order/169061/7 "2003-04-17T03:14:12Z")
I’ve read everything King has ever written…and my all time favorite is _The Stand_. Interestingly enough, I don’t really consider myself a fan. I’m actually very critical of his work… _The Stand_ is the only one of his books that I have read more than once.