Barbara Taylor Bradford Books In Order

Publication Order of Emma Harte Books

Publication Order of House Of Dravenel/Ravenscar Books

Publication Order of Cavendon Hall Books

Publication Order of House of Falconer Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Barbara Taylor Bradford was a bestselling British American author best known for writing one of the top ten bestselling novels of all time. Her renown is such that she has managed to produce numerous bestsellers in Britain as well as America, placing her in a somewhat exclusive club.

Biography

Born May 1933, Barbara Taylor Bradford was the daughter of Freda and Winston Taylor. She has often spoken of the saturation of love she enjoyed from her mother, Freda having lost her son, Vivian, Barbara’s older brother, to meningitis.

Born in the Leeds, Yorkshire, England, Barbara attended the same nursery school as Alan Bennett, another well known writer from Yorkshire. One of her most cherished memories from this time was receiving a handwritten letter of thanks from Clement Churchhill (the wife of Winston Churchill) in response to the proceeds she had raised after holding a jumble sale at school and donated to the ‘Aid Russia’ fund, possibly in reaction to the role her father played in the First World War (during which the engineer lost a leg).

Despite her relatively unimportant position in society during her youth, there was evidence (discovered later by her biographer) to support the claim that Barbara Taylor Bradford’s mother was the illegitimate daughter of local Yorkshire aristocrat Frederick Robinson 2nd Marques of Ripon, Freda’s mother having worked as a servant in the household of the Marques.

Barbara has admitted to having initially reacted furiously at Piers Dudgeon’s (her biographer) discovery, though she came to accept the situation as it was.

Barbara Taylor Bradford met her husband, Robert Bradford (an American film producer) on a blind date and through the efforts of screenwriter Jack Davies. They were married in 1963 (Christmas Eve) and moved to the United States, with Barbara eventually acquiring citizenship in 1992.

The couple has no children.

When asked about her interest in writing, Barbara has often spoken of her passion as having emerged at the age of ten, when she sent a story she had written to a magazine and eventually received payment for it. Barbara didn’t pursue education beyond the age of 15, entering the typing pool and eventually becoming a reporter for the Yorkshire evening Post, working alongside the renowned Keith Waterhouse.

At age 20, she made her way to London, by then working as the Fashion Editor of Woman’s Own, a magazine; following a spell as a columnist for the London Evening news, Barbara remembers her initial efforts at writing fiction as being frustrating, specifically the four suspense novels she pursued and abandoned, this failure threatening her with images of the unfulfilled dreams she might later come to regret if she managed to spend her youth without writing a single novel.

Barbara has earned numerous awards during her lifetime, including doctorates from institutes like the Leeds University and Sienna College as well as the Order of the British Empire, awarded to her by Queen Elizabeth II, Barbara having been included on the Queen’s honors list of individuals that had contributed immensely to literature in 2007.

Often speaking of the admiration she held for Cornelius Ryan (an Irish Historian and author she has always considered to be her literary mentor), Barbara obsessed over Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy and the Bronte sisters during her younger days, with Ryan providing her the support and courage she needed to pursue writing.

She has also professed admiration for contemporary authors like Ruth Rendell, P.D James and Bernard Cornwell. Barbara Taylor Bradford’s immense wealth has been known to spark many a rumor, the most common being the two thousand pairs of shoes she is purported to own and the lake at her former house in Connecticut that she supposedly heated to benefit her swans.

Literary Career

Barbara’s first novel was ‘A Woman of Substance’. It is also her most financially successful novel, ranked among the ten bestselling novels of all time; Bradford’s works have sold nearly one hundred million copies worldwide, and are currently translated into more than forty languages.

Up to ten of her books have been adapted in mini-series and Television movies under the guidance of her Husband, producer Robert Bradford, these including ‘Hold the Dream’, ‘A Woman of Substance’ and ‘Act of Will’. Most of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s books seem to follow a similar pattern, starting with a woman of fairly humble origin who manages to rise in the business arena through hard work and sacrifice.

It has become her signature, writing fiction that emphasizes the strength of women and their role in society.

A Woman of Substance

The first in The Emma Harte Saga, following the fortunes of a retail empire and the business related machination unfolding behind the scenes across three generations, ‘A Woman of Substance’ introduces Fairley Hall in the village of Yorkshire, within which Emma Harte, a young but resourceful servant girl works. Determined to succeed, she hones her skills in a world filled with treachery as she learns to survive in the midst of hardships, becoming a woman that will make her mark on the world.

This most famous story that so many women have come to love tells of Emma Harte’s rise from poverty to wealth, becoming a giant among the wealthy on the world stage as she crafts an empire that will survive tragedy, failed marriages and war, even while combating the greed and envy of those around her.

Even while attracting criticism for being too verbose (especially regarding the numerous pages assigned to the description of mundane elements like Emma’s furniture) and the many questions it leaves unanswered, lovers of Barbara Taylor Bradford will find the novel spellbinding in its efforts to chronicle Emma Harte’s determination to succeed.

Hold the dream

The second book in the Emma Harte Saga continues its heroine’s struggles in the arena of business as she stands against internal and external elements determined to foil her dreams. Having built her empire through strength of mind and a willingness to sacrifice, Emma will have to make the difficult decision to relinquish control of her empire to her granddaughter.

However, for Paula McGill Fairley, this new found wealth and power isn’t without its difficulties; she will have to contend against greed and jealousy, scandalous lies and even treachery from those closest to her heart. She will be forced to defend against the threat to her legacy with everything in her arsenal, even while striving to not lose sight of those most important facets of life.

Even with the wordy nature of her writing and the unnecessary injection of effort into describing the mundane, Barbara’s second novel manages to successfully delight in telling this story of difficulty and triumph during the early years of a young woman.

11 Responses to “Barbara Taylor Bradford”

1. Jo Norman: 9 months ago

   I own and have read all of your books. I was wondering when your next book will be published in the future? I so enjoy your stories. Jo Norman

   Reply
2. Patricia S. Loftin: 10 months ago

   I own every book you have written and wish to thank you for all the hours of destressing and pleasure you have provided me. Worked in Corporate Offices 35 years and my time was at a premium. Would only give my time to something I felt I was gaining a valuable experience from, one of life’s lessons.

   Reply
3. Fran: 2 years ago

   Please relay my thanks and appreciation. I love the film adaptations from 1990s and earlier. Always makes my day! Well wishes sent!

   Reply
4. Suzanne Offitto: 2 years ago

   Is there a sequel to Power of a Woman ?
   I absolutely love all her books

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   • Graeme: 2 years ago

     Not at this time

     Reply
5. Cadee: 3 years ago

   I have read EVERY book written by her and am anxiously awaiting the third book in the Falconer Series. Thrilled to see the prequel A Man of Honor being written. More to enjoy. Perhaps she wrote this in HONOR of her late husband. Wish her the VERY BEST.

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6. MaryLucy McGrath: 4 years ago

   I too am inquiring about the third Falconer book? When can we expect it. BTB we have met many years ago when I lived at 898 Park Ave NYC and you were at 888 Park. I have read many of your books and just started up again with James and Alexis. I hope the third is coming soon. Please let me know. Thanks, MLM

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   • Jane LaBerge: 1 month ago

     I have nearly every book. Working on buying all! I’m saddened by the news of our loss. A very talented woman. A woman I wish I had met.
     Condolences to her family and friends!

     Reply
7. Judy Dever: 4 years ago

   Will there be another book in the FAlconer series and if so When?

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   • Doris G Peiffer: 3 years ago

     Is there a third book in the Falconer series?

     Reply
     • Graeme: 3 years ago

       Not at this time

       Reply