Commander Grimes Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Commander Grimes books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

About the Commander Grimes Series

The Commander Grimes series by A. Bertram Chandler is a space adventure saga that combines classic science fiction with a love of exploration and independence. Inspired by Chandler’s own life at sea as a merchant marine officer, these books have a sense of movement, isolation and wonder. The main character, John Grimes, is often called the “Hornblower of Space”—a nod to his journey from naval officer to free-roaming captain on the edges of the galaxy. Most of the series is set on the Rim Worlds and starts with The Rim of Space and introduces you to a tough and often harsh frontier where humanity meets strange new civilisations, each with their own charm and dangers. From tea-drinking lizards to mind-bending psychic radios, the universe Chandler creates is quirky, imaginative and unforgettable.

But the heart of the series is Grimes himself. He’s not your typical space hero—he fails, he drinks, he questions authority and often finds himself stuck between duty and personal freedom. Books like To Keep the Ship and The Far Traveler get inside his head and show a man who is flawed but determined to hold on to what matters. Chandler’s writing avoids the over-the-top masculinity of many sci-fi stories of the era and instead gives us character-driven stories with wit, romance, danger and just the right amount of humour. With themes of rebellion, lost civilisations and the loneliness of command, the Commander Grimes books are a nostalgic but fresh read.

Whether you’re a fan of classic space operas or just discovering this world for the first time, step aboard and sail the stars. It’s not just about space—it’s about finding your place in it.