Books that arrived without their authors
A reference directory of 109 works published anonymously or under unresolved bylines, from Sumerian laments to last decade's political tell-alls. Every attribution is status-labeled and sourced. Every public domain work links to a free full text. The mysteries that remain unsolved are reported as mysteries, not solved by speculation.
Browse by authorship status
Later revealed
29 works
Still unknown
68 works
Pseudonym known
6 works
Disputed
6 works
Later revealed
Anonymous publications whose authors are now part of the documented record.
- Later revealed
A Warning
The 2019 book credited to Anonymous, a senior Trump administration official. Miles Taylor revealed himself as the author in 2020.
- Later revealed
O: A Presidential Novel
The 2011 novel of a presidential campaign published as by Anonymous, someone 'in the room'. Press analysis identified former McCain aide Mark Salter.
- Later revealed
Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing the War on Terror
The 2004 critique of the war on terror published as 'Anonymous'. Its author was identified in the press as CIA analyst Michael Scheuer, who acknowledged the book.
- Later revealed
Through Our Enemies' Eyes
The 2003 study of bin Laden published as 'Anonymous', required by the author's CIA employment. Michael Scheuer was identified and acknowledged the book.
- Later revealed
A Woman in Berlin
An anonymous diary of a woman's survival in Berlin during the Soviet occupation of 1945. The diarist was identified after her death as journalist Marta Hillers.
- Later revealed
The Bride Stripped Bare
The 2003 erotic novel of a wife's secret life, submitted for anonymous publication. The press identified Nikki Gemmell just before publication, and she acknowledged it.
Still unknown
Works whose authors have never been identified. These entries report the open questions as they stand.
- Still unknown
The Incest Diary
A 2017 memoir of childhood sexual abuse by a father, published anonymously to protect its author. The anonymity is deliberate and is respected here.
- Still unknown
Letting Ana Go
A 2013 young adult novel in diary form about anorexia, published by Simon and Schuster under the byline Anonymous, in the tradition of Go Ask Alice.
- Still unknown
Lucy in the Sky
A 2012 young adult diary novel of a teenager's descent into drug use, published under the byline Anonymous in the Go Ask Alice tradition.
- Still unknown
Bourbon Kid
A supernatural horror series begun in 2000 with The Book with No Name, published by an author who has remained anonymous by choice ever since.
- Still unknown
Diary of an Oxygen Thief
A 2006 confessional novel published anonymously in Amsterdam, narrated by an advertising man who recounts cruelty and comeuppance. Its author has remained anonymous.
- Still unknown
The Strange Death of Adolf Hitler
A 1939 book claiming Hitler died in 1938 and was replaced by doubles, published anonymously as a purported insider account. Its author was never identified.
Browse by era
Before 1700
56 works
The 1700s
8 works
The 1800s
24 works
Early 1900s
5 works
Mid 1900s
2 works
Contemporary
14 works
Guides
- Famous anonymous books that were later revealed
- Why authors write anonymously
- The great unsolved authorship mysteries
How this directory works: methodology, theeditorial standards including the no-deanonymization rule, and the open data API.