Tanith First and Only – Gaunt’s Ghosts

“Gaunt’s Ghosts” is a series of military science fiction novels by Dan Abnett, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The series follows the exploits of Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and the Tanith First-and-Only, a regiment of Imperial Guard troops known as the Ghosts.

The Ghosts are from the planet Tanith, which is destroyed by the forces of Chaos, leading to the regiment becoming a ghostly presence in the war against the enemies of the Imperium. The series spans multiple campaigns and battles, showcasing the grim and gritty nature of warfare in the 41st millennium.

Throughout the series, Gaunt and his Ghosts face a variety of challenges, including traitorous commanders, insidious Chaos plots, and the horrors of war on a galactic scale. The series is known for its strong characterization, engaging storytelling, and gritty depiction of warfare in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

The Gaunt’s Ghosts series is extensive, so here’s a general reading order to get you started:

1. First and Only – This is the first novel in the series and introduces Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and the Tanith First-and-Only regiment.
2. Ghostmaker – Follows the Ghosts as they participate in various campaigns and battles.
3. Necropolis – The Ghosts are deployed to the city of Vervunhive, which is under siege by the forces of Chaos.
4. Honour Guard – Gaunt and the Ghosts are assigned to protect a high-ranking Imperial official.
5. The Guns of Tanith – The heretical forces of Chaos fight back in the Sabbat Worlds Crusade, cutting off Imperial forces. Gaunt and his men must recapture the key world Phantine, in order to save the Emperor’s beleaguered forces.
6. Straight Silver – The Ghosts are sent on a mission behind enemy lines.
7. Sabbat Martyr – The Ghosts are involved in a major campaign on the planet of Hagia.
8. Traitor General – Gaunt and the Ghosts pursue a traitor through dangerous territory.
9. His Last Command – Gaunt faces challenges to his leadership of the Ghosts.
10. The Armour of Contempt – The Ghosts are sent to a hostile world to recover a valuable asset.
11. Only in Death – The Ghosts face a desperate last stand against overwhelming odds.
12. Blood Pact – Gaunt and the Ghosts battle against the Chaos forces of the Blood Pact.
13. Salvation’s Reach – The Ghosts undertake a dangerous mission into uncharted space.
14. The Warmaster – Gaunt and the Ghosts face their greatest challenge yet as the Sabbat Worlds Crusade reaches its climax.
15. Anarch – The aftermath of the Sabbat Worlds Crusade and its impact on Gaunt and the Ghosts.

This list provides a general order, but some books and short stories can be read out of sequence without losing the overall narrative arc.