History's Best Selling Books of 1968

Make way for the hits of 1968! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the swinging sixties phenomenon and the march of first-rate books. Crowd-pleasers such as Myra Breckinridge shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers A Small Town in Germany and Airport. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Gore Vidal and John le Carré, these trailblazing products spurred a pop-culture revolution across the nation and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Myra Breckinridge

   Released in 1968 by Gore Vidal, Little, Brown and Company

   Myra Breckinridge exploded onto the literary scene in 1968, a year synonymous with cultural upheaval and challenging norms. Gore Vidal’s audacious novel was an immediate sensation, not merely for its provocative title but for its unapologetic exploration of gender transformation, sexual identity, and a scathing critique of American society. It quickly became a runaway bestseller, captivating readers with its blend of outrageous humor, intellectual wit, and shocking premise. The book was more than just a popular read; it was a cultural flashpoint, igniting fierce debates and solidifying Vidal's reputation as a fearless provocateur who dared to expose the hypocrisies of his time, making it an indispensable artifact of the late 1960s counterculture.

2. A Small Town in Germany

   Released in 1968 by John le Carré, Victor Gollancz

   In 1968, John le Carré, already a master of the espionage genre following the immense success of "The Spy Who Came In from the Cold," launched "A Small Town in Germany," cementing his reputation as a chronicler of Cold War cynicism. The novel immediately captured the zeitgeist, appealing to a public increasingly disillusioned with simplistic narratives of good versus evil. Its intricate plot, set against the backdrop of Cold War Bonn, West Germany, offered a gritty, morally ambiguous counterpoint to the more glamorous spy thrillers of the era. It wasn't just a book; it was a cultural touchstone, a reflection of a world grappling with murky geopolitical alliances and the personal costs of statecraft.

3. Airport

   Released in 1968 by Arthur Hailey, Doubleday

   Arthur Hailey's 'Airport' burst onto the literary scene in 1968, immediately capturing the imagination of readers worldwide. At a time when air travel was becoming increasingly commonplace yet still held an aura of mystique and technical wonder, Hailey peeled back the curtain to reveal the intricate, often chaotic, world behind the glamour. The novel wasn't just a bestseller; it was a cultural phenomenon, redefining the disaster thriller genre and establishing Hailey as a master of the meticulously researched procedural novel. Its release tapped into public fascination with complex systems and high-stakes drama, propelling it to the top of bestseller lists and cementing its place as a quintessential read of the late 1960s.

4. Couples

   Released in 1968 by John Updike, Alfred A. Knopf

   John Updike's 'Couples' exploded onto the American literary scene in 1968, becoming an immediate and profound cultural phenomenon. Published amidst the tumultuous social shifts of the late 1960s, its frank exploration of infidelity and suburban ennui captivated—and often scandalized—readers. It was more than just a popular novel; it was a societal mirror, reflecting the burgeoning sexual revolution and the anxieties of the American middle class. Its controversial themes and explicit passages fueled heated discussions, cementing its status as one of the definitive novels of its era and a major bestseller that defined the changing landscape of American morality.

5. Preserve and Protect

   Released in 1968 by Allen Drury, Doubleday

   A political thriller set against the backdrop of a tumultuous American election, 'Preserve and Protect' by Allen Drury exploded onto the literary scene in 1968. Coming at a time of profound national unrest, with the Vietnam War raging and domestic divisions deepening, the novel offered readers a dramatic and often cynical glimpse into the corridors of power. As the fourth installment in Drury's acclaimed 'Advise and Consent' series, it capitalized on an established readership eager for more of his intricate political machinations. Its immediate popularity underscored a public fascination with Washington D.C.'s hidden battles, turning the book into a significant cultural touchstone for understanding the era's anxieties and political climate, cementing its status as a major bestseller in a year defined by dramatic events.

6. The Armies of the Night

   Released in 1968 by Norman Mailer, New American Library

   Published in 1968, 'The Armies of the Night' stands as a pivotal work of American literature, directly engaging with the profound social and political turmoil of the Vietnam War era. Its historical significance lies in its innovative approach to journalism, which transcended traditional reportage to offer a deeply personal yet incisive look at one of the decade's most defining protest events. Mailer's masterpiece not only documented the massive anti-war march on the Pentagon but also explored the moral and cultural schisms plaguing the nation, offering future generations a vivid and complex understanding of 1968's charged atmosphere and the burgeoning counterculture.

7. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

   Released in 1968 by Tom Wolfe, Farrar, Straus and Giroux

   Released in 1968, 'The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test' stands as a seminal work for its groundbreaking immersion into the nascent psychedelic counter-culture movement of the 1960s. Tom Wolfe’s innovative New Journalism style perfectly captured the chaotic, vibrant, and often elusive spirit of an era defined by social upheaval and experimentation. The book's publication was perfectly timed to articulate the burgeoning youth rebellion, providing both an insider's view and a critical examination of the shift from beatnik rebellion to the acid-fueled utopian aspirations of figures like Ken Kesey. Its impact was immediate, offering a defining narrative for a generation grappling with altered consciousness and societal norms.

8. The Salzburg Connection

   Released in 1968 by Helen MacInnes, Harcourt, Brace & World

   In 1968, as geopolitical tensions simmered globally, Helen MacInnes's 'The Salzburg Connection' burst onto the literary scene, capturing the imagination of readers worldwide. This spy thriller immediately established itself as a must-read, becoming a Publishers Weekly #3 Bestseller and a significant cultural phenomenon. Its intricate plot, set against the breathtaking yet ominous backdrop of the Austrian Alps, offered a timely escape into a world of Cold War intrigue, hidden pasts, and high-stakes espionage. The novel's ability to blend gripping suspense with a sophisticated narrative made it an instant classic and solidified MacInnes's reputation as a master of the genre, perfectly reflecting the anxieties and fascinations of its era.

9. The Tower of Babel

   Released in 1968 by Morris West, William Morrow and Company

   The Tower of Babel by Morris West burst onto the literary scene in 1968, immediately captivating readers with its timely and prescient exploration of the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Published just a year after the pivotal Six-Day War, the novel provided a fictional yet remarkably insightful lens into the complex geopolitical landscape that led to the conflict. It wasn't merely a book; it was a cultural phenomenon, tapping into the collective global anxiety about the volatile region. West, already a master of the political thriller, delivered a narrative that felt ripped from the headlines, making it an essential read for anyone trying to understand the intricate web of espionage, diplomacy, and religious fervor defining the era. Its rapid ascent to bestseller status underscored its powerful resonance with a world grappling with seemingly insurmountable divides.