40K BOOKS - WHERE TO START? A COMPLETE BEGINNERS GUIDE | Warhammer 40,000 Lore Discuss

0:00 Intro & Where to Begin
7:38 Short Story Selections
10:33 Lighter Reads
15:04 Omnibus Editions
19:38 Final Thoughts

► Book Lists:
► Short stories

► Lighter Reads
Valdor: Birth of the Imperium
Dark Adeptus
Path of the Warrior

► Omnibus Reads
Eisenhorn Trilogy
Macharian Crusade Omnibus
Night Lords Omnibus

► BGM Credits:

This video is an opinion editorial commentary.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use purposes such as criticism, commentary, parody, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.

All works used in this video (Images, audio etc) belong to their respective authors
(This does not include the audio commentary or licensed BGM).

Games workshop, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer, 40k, Space Marine Etc are all Trademarks of Games Workshop Ltd. Games Workshop does not endorse or support the 'Lore' videos. All views and opinions expressed in this video belong to Luetin09 and in no way reflect the views or opinions of Games Workshop Ltd.

[Luetin]

This video has been requested so often I decided to finally make it - I only apologise that this was meant to be out yesterday to give more time for the Humble Sale, but my internet decided to stop working (of course) I have listed in the notes of the videos to links for every book suggestion - the humble sale - and audible. I hope you guys enjoy as I explain my thoughts about how to approach beginning to read into 40K lore, If you guys enjoy drop a like - maybe I can do this for other subjects and so in the future.

[Luetin]

For the impatient - If you want to get straight to the Book choices - Timestamps:
Short Collections 7:37
Middleweight Choices: 12:01
Trilogy Choices: 16:28

[Schlynn]

Started with the first book in the horus heresy. Shreded thru 12 books in 2 weeks. Took a break and am now making my way thru more. Seemed like a fine place to me to start.

[Indoor_Carrot]

Gaunt's Ghosts gives you a very visceral idea of what life is like for the common soldiers of the Imperium. The way Abnett writes the firefights in it are really detailed and can be easily visualised.

[thewaywardgrape]

Luetin -


If it ever came to the 'Astartes' channel creates a full length film, you should *absolutely* get involved in script, story, narration, plot etc. Could you imagine a collaboration 😁👌

[Werrf]

There's a step I think you're missing. If someone asks "Where should I get started in 40k?" my response isn't going to be a recommendation, it's to ask "Well, what kind of stories do you like?" If someone really likes grim-and-gritty war novels, I'm more likely to recommend Gaunt's Ghosts, if they prefer the Dresden Files I'd point them towards Ciaphas Cain.

Me, I've been peripherally aware of 40k since first edition; almost bought a box set from Argos, but never quite got around to it. I wasn't that keen on the black-on-black, style. I'm the guy who rolls his eyes and says "Yeah, right, " when I hear about Commissar Yarrick getting his arm torn off, for example. I needed something a bit more down-to-earth to introduce me to the universe, so my gateway was the Cain novels.

[ericochoa]

I'm a newcomer to warhammer 40k. I started with the gaunt's ghosts series. I'm half way through the 3rd book. Its incredible!! One thing I do often when reading it is that I will google images of the weapons and vehicles in the lore.

[pokejust]

Me:**Buys a "book" about 40k**
Later:
“Asmodai!”
“INTERROGATE?!”
“Our assumptions are confirmed!”
“WHAT”
“He has a suspicious book!”
“BOOK”
“He’s in cahoots with the Fallen!”
“FALLEN”
“Make him repent!”
**BANG**

[apinakapinastorba]

I started with Eisenhorn. Really enjoyed it. I like when a story refers to things I have no clue about, and do so in a matter they are ”general knowledge” of that culture. For me, it gives a story depth. Eisenhorn was spot on start for me.

[duncanself]

I'd actually be really interested in "the inner workings of the Tryanid hives"🤓
I've always wondered...

[jeremiahanderson]

You're doing great work here. I work in radio, in the US, and have spent my last few summers broadcasting Minor League Baseball for my region. I'm not a fan of baseball nor am I a fan of being stuck in a studio every day for four months to broadcast it. That said, and the point about this comment, is that I've much of my time in the studio reading 40K novels (more specifically Horus Heresy novels) and I greatly appreciate your work and attention to detail with your lore videos. There isn't necessarily a huge audience for this sort of thing but you've done some great work catering to those of us nerds that are into hearing your take on it. This is good, well-researched, stuff tastefully condensed into some great explanatory videos. It's very well done and very much appreciated. Keep it up! I'm always looking forward to your next video.

[USMC]

Personally I love my Guardians of the Covenant (Dark Angel Successors), and I wanted to learn more on the origins, organizational structure etc., of the Dark Angels. I started out with Horus Rising, and from there moved to book 6 (Decent of Angels). I have been on a constant crusade through Dark Angels books ever since. Before staring this crusade into 40k knowledge however it started with you Luetin09, and many others like you, to forge a baseline of information on what has happened, happening, and what may come to be. I will finish my endeavor of all Dark Angel lore and move on from there to new and exciting adventures.

[CBRN-]

Another tip: Go to the Black Library and start reading books peacefully there

And never mind the weird clowns in the library

[BloopityBloop]

I started off with "Heroes of the Space Marines". Fresh of DoW: Dark Crusade, I scoured bookstores everywhere in my area. I think I ended up going to one of the larger bookstores in the capital before I found a Warhammer 40k book.

I came back for more and I think my dad absolutely hates that bookstore till today.

[vasdklwje]

I honestly think Codex Space Marines is the best starting book to get into 40k. The codexes have a lot of information condensed in them, and can give you a lot of background for what you want to explore next.

[metalfatigue]

I’d recommend the Hero of the Imperium omnibus by Sandy Mitchell, following the (mis)adventure’s of commissar Caphius Cain and his malodorous aide Gunner Jurgen, essentially this is Blackadder meets 40k and is a somewhat lighter and humorous introduction to the universe, the three novels and three short stories introduce (at least from the imperial viewpoint) 5 different factions along with the Valhallan Imperial Guard regiment he serves with. It’s generally a good read and I quite enjoyed this take on the imperium and the 40k universe at large.

[zorodex]

Would highly recommend the audiobooks. A lot easier to digest on a commute or before going to sleep.

[willgreen]

Perfect! I’ve been looking for what to get next on audible so this couldn’t be a better time. Thanks luetin! Your videos are always great!

[nazgu]

My 40K literature adventure began when a friend offered me a printed copy of Eisenhorn trilogy. I had already been a fan of space/high tech sci-fi, so I found it to be a relatively easy reading, even though some aspects and terms were not very clear initially. I then proceeded to read a bunch of other books, including the first few of Heresy series, Ravenor trilogy, Ciaphas Cain, Gaunt's Ghosts and Grey Nights. I consider Eisenhorn/Ravenor to be the best books in 40k library, and good for beginners as well, as long as you are familiar with general space sci-fi genre.

[davidgribble]

I started with Horus rising and moved through in order until book 8 where I am now.