Though written later, many of these stories act as prequels or side-stories involving the patriarch of the Hardin clan during the height of the cattle boom.
Edson famously linked his characters to other fictional universes (like Sherlock Holmes or Tarzan). Keep an eye out for these "Wold Newton" style Easter eggs. jt edson books in chronological order
The Rio Libertad, The Texan, The Making of a Lawman, Young Ole Devil. 2. The Civil War Era (1861 – 1865) Though written later, many of these stories act
If reading in strict timeline order feels too chaotic, most fans recommend reading The Floating Outfit books in their published order first, as the "history" was often retconned or expanded upon in later prequel novels. The Rio Libertad, The Texan, The Making of
The Devil Gun, The Colt and the Sabre, The Rebels, The Bloody Border, Kill Dusty Fog! 3. The Floating Outfit Series (Late 1860s – 1880s)
The prolific J.T. Edson wrote over 130 Western novels, famously creating a "Floating Outfit" of characters that pop up across different series. While he wrote them over several decades, the internal timeline of his universe—stretching from the Texas Revolution to the late 19th century—is what most fans want to follow.