Titles
The biggest books on NYT Hardcover Fiction that entered the chart in the 1980s, ranked by Weeks at #1. Click a column to re-sort.
Book Power is the book's own figure: each week on the list is worth its position as a share of a full list — a #1 week is 14.5, a #6 week is 7.3, a #16 week is 1.8 — added up over the run. No credit split and no discount for what else the author had charting. What a book earned each author is on the author pages.
Ranked by Weeks at #1, part of the ChartReign Power model — not a list published by anyone else. How it works →
| # | Title | Book Power | Weeks at #1 | Top-ten weeks | Weeks on list | Peak | On list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The CovenantJames A. Michener | 464.8 | 25 | 37 | 41 | #1Nov 1980 | Oct 1980 → Aug 1981 |
| 2 | SpaceJames A. Michener | 409.2 | 22 | 31 | 39 | #1Oct 1982 | Oct 1982 → Jul 1983 |
| 3 | The Parsifal MosaicRobert Ludlum | 404.8 | 16 | 31 | 44 | #1Mar 1982 | Mar 1982 → Feb 1983 |
| 4 | The Bourne IdentityRobert Ludlum | 367.3 | 16 | 30 | 33 | #1Mar 1980 | Mar 1980 → Oct 1980 |
| 5 | Noble HouseJames Clavell | 497.2 | 15 | 43 | 47 | #1May 1981 | May 1981 → Mar 1982 |
| 6 | ItStephen King | 369.4 | 14 | 30 | 35 | #1Sep 1986 | Sep 1986 → May 1987 |
| 7 | An Indecent ObsessionColleen McCullough | 359.5 | 14 | 28 | 33 | #1Nov 1981 | Oct 1981 → Jun 1982 |
| 8 | The Aquitaine ProgressionRobert Ludlum | 353.7 | 13 | 29 | 34 | #1Mar 1984 | Mar 1984 → Nov 1984 |
| 9 | Pet SemataryStephen King | 349.2 | 13 | 28 | 32 | #1Nov 1983 | Nov 1983 → Jun 1984 |
| 10 | The Cardinal of the KremlinTom Clancy | 426.2 | 12 | 34 | 41 | #1Aug 1988 | Aug 1988 → Jul 1989 |
| 11 | PolandJames A. Michener | 404.0 | 12 | 33 | 38 | #1Sep 1983 | Sep 1983 → May 1984 |
| 12 | The Little Drummer GirlJohn le Carré | 342.7 | 12 | 29 | 34 | #1Mar 1983 | Mar 1983 → Nov 1983 |
| 13 | The TalismanStephen King & Peter Straub | 266.9 | 12 | 20 | 23 | #1Oct 1984 | Oct 1984 → Apr 1985 |
| 14 | The Mammoth HuntersJean M. Auel | 391.3 | 11 | 30 | 47 | #1Nov 1985 | Nov 1985 → Oct 1986 |
| 15 | Rage of AngelsSidney Sheldon | 353.1 | 11 | 37 | 42 | #1Jul 1980 | Jun 1980 → Apr 1981 |
| 16 | The Sands of TimeSidney Sheldon | 244.4 | 11 | 21 | 23 | #1Nov 1988 | Nov 1988 → Apr 1989 |
| 17 | Skeleton CrewStephen King | 284.8 | 10 | 25 | 32 | #1Jun 1985 | Jun 1985 → Jan 1986 |
| 18 | The Russia HouseJohn le Carré | 234.5 | 10 | 19 | 21 | #1Jun 1989 | Jun 1989 → Oct 1989 |
| 19 | Clear and Present DangerTom Clancy | 414.1 | 9 | 39 | 45 | #1Sep 1989 | Sep 1989 → Jul 1990 |
| 20 | If Tomorrow ComesSidney Sheldon | 329.7 | 9 | 32 | 36 | #1Feb 1985 | Jan 1985 → Sep 1985 |
| 21 | Fine ThingsDanielle Steel | 251.6 | 9 | 24 | 26 | #1Mar 1987 | Mar 1987 → Sep 1987 |
| 22 | The Satanic VersesSalman Rushdie | 224.0 | 9 | 19 | 24 | #1Mar 1989 | Mar 1989 → Aug 1989 |
| 23 | The Bonfire of the VanitiesTom Wolfe | 537.3 | 8 | 51 | 56 | #1Jan 1988 | Nov 1987 → Nov 1988 |
| 24 | Presumed InnocentScott Turow | 461.8 | 8 | 43 | 44 | #1Jul 1987 | Jun 1987 → Apr 1988 |
| 25 | The Hotel New HampshireJohn Irving | 368.1 | 8 | 33 | 40 | #1Sep 1981 | Sep 1981 → Jun 1982 |
| 26 | The Bourne SupremacyRobert Ludlum | 306.4 | 8 | 30 | 32 | #1Mar 1986 | Mar 1986 → Oct 1986 |
| 27 | The Icarus AgendaRobert Ludlum | 269.6 | 8 | 22 | 27 | #1Mar 1988 | Mar 1988 → Sep 1988 |
| 28 | The TommyknockersStephen King | 248.9 | 8 | 20 | 23 | #1Nov 1987 | Nov 1987 → May 1988 |
| 29 | . . . and Ladies of the Club,Helen Hooven Santmyer | 329.7 | 7 | 33 | 38 | #1Jul 1984 | Jun 1984 → Mar 1985 |
| 30 | Windmills of the GodsSidney Sheldon | 313.8 | 7 | 31 | 32 | #1Feb 1987 | Feb 1987 → Sep 1987 |
| 31 | MiseryStephen King | 253.5 | 7 | 21 | 30 | #1Jun 1987 | Jun 1987 → Jan 1988 |
| 32 | Return of the JediJoan D. Vinge | 250.6 | 7 | 24 | 31 | #1Jun 1983 | Jun 1983 → Jan 1984 |
| 33 | DaddyDanielle Steel | 208.6 | 7 | 17 | 22 | #1Nov 1989 | Nov 1989 → Apr 1990 |
| 34 | ZoyaDanielle Steel | 204.4 | 7 | 18 | 23 | #1May 1988 | May 1988 → Jan 1989 |
| 35 | Lake Wobegon DaysGarrison Keillor | 510.9 | 6 | 45 | 48 | #1Sep 1985 | Sep 1985 → Jul 1986 |
| 36 | Red Storm RisingTom Clancy | 496.5 | 6 | 45 | 50 | #1Aug 1986 | Aug 1986 → Jul 1987 |
| 37 | TexasJames A. Michener | 276.6 | 6 | 25 | 29 | #1Oct 1985 | Oct 1985 → Apr 1986 |
| 38 | The Fourth ProtocolFrederick Forsyth | 261.6 | 6 | 26 | 29 | #1Sep 1984 | Aug 1984 → Mar 1985 |
| 39 | The Dark HalfStephen King | 189.9 | 6 | 15 | 19 | #1Nov 1989 | Nov 1989 → Mar 1990 |
| 40 | The Name of the RoseUmberto Eco | 442.3 | 5 | 41 | 47 | #1Aug 1983 | Jun 1983 → May 1984 |
| 41 | Princess DaisyJudith Krantz | 358.4 | 5 | 33 | 36 | #1Feb 1980 | Feb 1980 → Oct 1980 |
| 42 | Patriot GamesTom Clancy | 332.5 | 5 | 36 | 38 | #1Aug 1987 | Aug 1987 → Apr 1988 |
| 43 | CujoStephen King | 302.1 | 5 | 26 | 33 | #1Aug 1981 | Aug 1981 → Apr 1982 |
| 44 | AlaskaJames A. Michener | 297.7 | 5 | 30 | 33 | #1Jul 1988 | Jul 1988 → Feb 1989 |
| 45 | KaleidoscopeDanielle Steel | 263.9 | 5 | 23 | 26 | #1Oct 1987 | Oct 1987 → Apr 1988 |
| 46 | The Prodigal DaughterJeffrey Archer | 207.9 | 5 | 18 | 22 | #1Jul 1982 | Jun 1982 → Nov 1982 |
| 47 | A Perfect SpyJohn le Carré | 199.6 | 5 | 17 | 24 | #1May 1986 | Apr 1986 → Jan 1987 |
| 48 | Master of the GameSidney Sheldon | 341.3 | 4 | 32 | 38 | #1Sep 1982 | Sep 1982 → May 1983 |
| 49 | WanderlustDanielle Steel | 243.4 | 4 | 25 | 28 | #1Jul 1986 | Jul 1986 → Jan 1987 |
| 50 | Last of the BreedLouis L'Amour | 205.6 | 4 | 19 | 26 | #1Jun 1986 | Jun 1986 → Jan 1987 |
| 51 | WhirlwindJames Clavell | 200.3 | 4 | 18 | 22 | #1Nov 1986 | Nov 1986 → Apr 1987 |
| 52 | ThinnerRichard Bachman | 191.4 | 4 | 21 | 25 | #1Apr 1985 | Mar 1985 → Aug 1985 |
| 53 | StarDanielle Steel | 183.6 | 4 | 15 | 17 | #1Feb 1989 | Feb 1989 → Jun 1989 |
| 54 | Full CircleDanielle Steel | 177.8 | 4 | 16 | 20 | #1Jun 1984 | May 1984 → Oct 1984 |
| 55 | Family AlbumDanielle Steel | 169.7 | 4 | 15 | 23 | #1Mar 1985 | Mar 1985 → Aug 1985 |
| 56 | FirestarterStephen King | 339.7 | 3 | 32 | 35 | #1Sep 1980 | Aug 1980 → Apr 1981 |
| 57 | North and SouthJohn Jakes | 284.3 | 3 | 29 | 33 | #1Feb 1982 | Feb 1982 → Sep 1982 |
| 58 | Different SeasonsStephen King | 220.5 | 3 | 25 | 32 | #1Aug 1982 | Aug 1982 → Mar 1983 |
| 59 | The Queen of the DamnedAnne Rice | 160.9 | 3 | 15 | 17 | #1Oct 1988 | Oct 1988 → Feb 1989 |
| 60 | First Among EqualsJeffrey Archer | 156.4 | 3 | 14 | 18 | #1Aug 1984 | Aug 1984 → Feb 1985 |
| 61 | MidnightDean R. Koontz | 105.7 | 3 | 10 | 12 | #1Feb 1989 | Jan 1989 → Apr 1989 |
| 62 | Gorky ParkMartin Cruz Smith | 383.0 | 2 | 38 | 45 | #1Apr 1981 | Apr 1981 → Feb 1982 |
| 63 | The Key to RebeccaKen Follett | 312.6 | 2 | 29 | 30 | #1Oct 1980 | Sep 1980 → Apr 1981 |
| 64 | The SicilianMario Puzo | 223.5 | 2 | 18 | 23 | #1Jan 1985 | Nov 1984 → May 1985 |
| 65 | I'll Take ManhattanJudith Krantz | 196.4 | 2 | 20 | 24 | #1May 1986 | Apr 1986 → Oct 1986 |
| 66 | While My Pretty One SleepsMary Higgins Clark | 187.2 | 2 | 18 | 21 | #1May 1989 | May 1989 → Oct 1989 |
| 67 | Lie Down with LionsKen Follett | 184.3 | 2 | 19 | 24 | #1Feb 1986 | Feb 1986 → Jul 1986 |
| 68 | LuckyJackie Collins | 170.2 | 2 | 16 | 23 | #1Sep 1985 | Aug 1985 → Feb 1986 |
| 69 | Polar StarMartin Cruz Smith | 149.7 | 2 | 13 | 15 | #1Aug 1989 | Jul 1989 → Oct 1989 |
| 70 | Who Killed the Robins Family?Bill Adler & Thomas Chastain | 285.5 | 1 | 33 | 35 | #1Jan 1984 | Sep 1983 → Apr 1984 |
| 71 | The Eyes of the DragonStephen King | 213.6 | 1 | 20 | 26 | #1Feb 1987 | Feb 1987 → Jul 1987 |
| 72 | Mistral's DaughterJudith Krantz | 212.3 | 1 | 20 | 23 | #1Feb 1983 | Nov 1982 → Apr 1983 |
| 73 | The Man from St. PetersburgKen Follett | 205.9 | 1 | 20 | 23 | #1Jun 1982 | May 1982 → Oct 1982 |
| 74 | The Haunted MesaLouis L'Amour | 186.9 | 1 | 18 | 20 | #1May 1987 | May 1987 → Sep 1987 |
| 75 | The Cider House RulesJohn Irving | 177.0 | 1 | 17 | 21 | #1Jun 1985 | May 1985 → Oct 1985 |
| 76 | Jubal SackettLouis L'Amour | 148.0 | 1 | 16 | 19 | #1Jun 1985 | May 1985 → Sep 1985 |
| 77 | Hold the DreamBarbara Taylor Bradford | 137.6 | 1 | 16 | 19 | #1Jun 1985 | May 1985 → Sep 1985 |
| 78 | The Return of the JediJoan D. Vinge | 14.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | #1Jun 1983 | Jun 1983 |
| 79 | The Valley of HorsesJean M. Auel | 330.2 | 0 | 33 | 47 | #2Sep 1982 | Sep 1982 → Aug 1983 |
| 80 | MasqueradeKit Williams | 279.9 | 0 | 31 | 43 | #2Mar 1981 | Jan 1981 → Feb 1982 |
| 81 | The Hunt for Red OctoberTom Clancy | 266.4 | 0 | 29 | 29 | #2Jul 1985 | Mar 1985 → Oct 1985 |
| 82 | ChristineStephen King | 263.0 | 0 | 26 | 32 | #2Apr 1983 | Apr 1983 → Nov 1983 |
| 83 | The Joy Luck ClubAmy Tan | 257.0 | 0 | 29 | 35 | #3May 1989 | Apr 1989 → Apr 1990 |
| 84 | The Prince of TidesPat Conroy | 253.8 | 0 | 31 | 50 | #4Oct 1986 | Oct 1986 → Nov 1987 |
| 85 | The Devil's AlternativeFrederick Forsyth | 252.5 | 0 | 25 | 29 | #2Feb 1980 | Feb 1980 → Aug 1980 |
| 86 | The Polar ExpressChris Van Allsburg | 247.0 | 0 | 32 | 34 | #3Dec 1988 | Dec 1985 → Jan 1992 |
| 87 | Random WindsBelva Plain | 243.8 | 0 | 23 | 28 | #2Jun 1980 | May 1980 → Nov 1980 |
| 88 | LincolnGore Vidal | 241.8 | 0 | 26 | 33 | #2Jul 1984 | Jun 1984 → Feb 1985 |
| 89 | Love in the Time of CholeraGabriel Garcia Marquez | 240.2 | 0 | 26 | 39 | #2May 1988 | Apr 1988 → Feb 1989 |
| 90 | E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial StorybookWilliam Kotzwinkle | 235.3 | 0 | 26 | 32 | #2Sep 1982 | Aug 1982 → Apr 1983 |
| 91 | The Butter Battle BookDr. Seuss | 235.1 | 0 | 27 | 39 | #2Apr 1984 | Mar 1984 → Jan 1985 |
| 92 | ChangesDanielle Steel | 223.6 | 0 | 24 | 28 | #2Sep 1983 | Sep 1983 → Mar 1984 |
| 93 | 2010: Odyssey TwoArthur C. Clarke | 221.9 | 0 | 21 | 24 | #2Dec 1982 | Nov 1982 → Apr 1983 |
| 94 | Spring MoonBette Bao Lord | 209.9 | 0 | 26 | 29 | #2Jan 1982 | Nov 1981 → Jun 1982 |
| 95 | Breathing LessonsAnne Tyler | 208.8 | 0 | 21 | 33 | #2Oct 1988 | Sep 1988 → May 1989 |
| 96 | The Shell SeekersRosamunde Pilcher | 196.2 | 0 | 25 | 47 | #6Apr 1988 | Feb 1988 → Jan 1989 |
| 97 | ContactCarl Sagan | 195.7 | 0 | 23 | 24 | #3Oct 1985 | Oct 1985 → Mar 1986 |
| 98 | The HajLeon Uris | 190.4 | 0 | 19 | 24 | #2Apr 1984 | Apr 1984 → Sep 1984 |
| 99 | The Fifth HorsemanLarry Collins & Dominique Lapierre | 189.9 | 0 | 23 | 28 | #3Sep 1980 | Sep 1980 → Mar 1981 |
| 100 | Love and WarJohn Jakes | 188.9 | 0 | 18 | 21 | #2Nov 1984 | Oct 1984 → Mar 1985 |