Author Guide · Investigative Journalism
Books Written by
Jane Mayer has spent four decades investigating power in Washington: the unravelling of Ronald Reagan's second term over the Iran-contra affair, the confirmation of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, the Bush administration's interrogation and detention policies after September 11, and the network of wealthy donors who funded conservative politics from outside the party system. A staff writer at The New Yorker since 1995, she is one of the most decorated investigative reporters in America. This guide covers all four of her books in order, and where to start.
By Lisanne Swart · 4 books · Investigative journalism · 1988–2016 · Updated October 2026
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Quick answer
Jane Mayer has published four books: Landslide (1988, with Doyle McManus), on Reagan's second term; Strange Justice (1994, with Jill Abramson), on the Clarence Thomas confirmation; The Dark Side (2008), on the war on terror; and Dark Money (2016), on billionaire funding of conservative politics. The last two are her solo books and the most widely read.
Where to Start with Jane Mayer
If you want the famous one
→ Dark Money (2016).
If you want the war on terror
→ The Dark Side (2008).
If you want earlier Washington
→ Strange Justice (1994).
All 4 Jane Mayer Books, in Order
Landslide
Written with Doyle McManus: inside the Reagan White House after the 1984 landslide, and how the Iran-contra affair unravelled his second term.
Strange Justice
Written with Jill Abramson: the 1991 nomination and confirmation of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court and Anita Hill's allegations of sexual harassment, which Thomas denied. It was a National Book Award finalist and was adapted as a television film.
The Dark Side
How decisions inside the Bush administration after September 11 led to secret prisons, harsh interrogation and the treatment of detainees at Guantánamo, and the officials who argued against them. It was a National Book Award finalist and one of The New York Times's ten best books of the year.
Dark Money
How a network of wealthy conservative donors, led by Charles and David Koch, funded think tanks, academic programmes, advocacy groups and campaigns over several decades. It became a bestseller and a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist; its subjects disputed its portrayal of them.
How Many Books Did Jane Mayer Write?
Four books between 1988 and 2016, the first two written with co-authors.
- Co-written — Landslide (1988) and Strange Justice (1994). Read the entries →
- Solo — The Dark Side (2008) and Dark Money (2016). Read the entries →
In What Order to Read Jane Mayer
Her books are not a series and each stands alone. Dark Money is the most widely read; The Dark Side is often considered her strongest piece of reporting.
A reading path
1. Dark Money (2016)
2. The Dark Side (2008)
3. Strange Justice (1994)
4. Landslide (1988)
Quick facts about Jane Mayer
- Born
- 1955, New York City
- Works for
- The New Yorker, staff writer since 1995; previously The Wall Street Journal
- Lives
- Washington, D.C.
- Prizes
- George Polk Award; John Chancellor Award; Toner Prize; I. F. Stone Medal; Guggenheim Fellowship
- Books
- 4, from 1988 to 2016
How Jane Mayer Works: Documents and Insiders
Mayer's investigations rest on internal documents and on insiders, often officials or former employees, who explain how decisions were made behind closed doors.
She writes long, carefully sourced narratives about institutions and the people inside them, and her books frequently began as articles in The New Yorker.
Jane Mayer on Dark Money, on Radio Times
Listen to the interview on WHYY →
Jane Mayer talks about Dark Money on WHYY's Radio Times, 2016.Frequently asked questions about Jane Mayer's books
How many books has Jane Mayer written?
Jane Mayer has published four books: Landslide (1988), Strange Justice (1994), The Dark Side (2008) and Dark Money (2016).
What is Dark Money about?
Dark Money (2016) investigates how wealthy conservative donors, led by Charles and David Koch, funded a network of organisations to shape American politics.
What is The Dark Side about?
The Dark Side (2008) traces how the Bush administration's policies after September 11 led to secret detention and harsh interrogation, and the internal opposition to them.
Footnotes
Bibliography last verified 1 October 2026.
This list was not put together by a machine.
The notes are all mine,
and the books are all hers.
Lisanne x
Written by Lisanne Swart, who has curated reading lists and author guides at lisanneswart.com since 2021.
See more on her personal bookshelf.
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