If you mean Don Winslow’s Power of the Dog trilogy, the reading order is simple: The Power of the Dog, The Cartel, then The Border. That is the publication order and, for first-time readers, the best beginner order too.

  1. The Power of the Dog
  2. The Cartel
  3. The Border

If you’re comparing the power of the dog novel book vs screen difference reading order, the practical answer is that the “screen” part does not apply to this trilogy right now. Read the books in order, and you’re set.

Quick Reading Order

For Don Winslow’s trilogy, the quickest path is also the safest one:

  1. The Power of the Dog
  2. The Cartel
  3. The Border

That sequence works whether you read in print, on Kindle, or listen on Audible. It also works for book clubs, commuters, and anyone trying to follow the series without jumping around.

Publication order vs. beginner order: they are the same here.
Screen-first order: not applicable for this trilogy.
Best rule: start with book one and keep going in order.

Best Order for Beginners

If you’re new to the series, start with publication order. That’s the cleanest entry point, and it preserves the way the trilogy builds its larger story.

This is one of those series where starting in the middle can make the later books feel heavier than they should. The books assume you already know the world, the conflict, and the key players by the time you reach the later entries. For a first read, there’s no real advantage to trying to “skip ahead.”

If you only have time to test one book first, The Power of the Dog is still the right pick. It gives you the full tone of the series and tells you quickly whether you want to continue.

Book-by-Book Guide

Here’s the simplest spoiler-free way to think about each book.

Book Order Why it belongs here Best for
The Power of the Dog 1 Starts the trilogy and establishes the core setup First-time readers, audiobook samplers, series starters
The Cartel 2 Continues the story and widens the conflict Readers who want to keep going immediately
The Border 3 Closes out the trilogy Finishing the full arc in order

A few practical notes:

  • The Power of the Dog is the entry point. Don’t save it for later.
  • The Cartel is the book to read next, not a side story.
  • The Border should come last, after the first two.

If you like reading-path guides, you may also want these related pages:

Should You Read or Listen?

For this trilogy, either format works. The better choice is the one that fits your routine.

Choose Audible if:

  • you commute a lot,
  • you like listening while driving, walking, or doing chores,
  • you want a hands-free way to get through a long crime series.

Choose Kindle or print if:

  • you like highlighting names, places, and connections,
  • you want to flip back and check details,
  • you read more in short bursts and want a quick reference.

For a series this layered, Kindle can be especially useful if you like searchable notes and easy bookmarking. Print is great if you prefer a physical book in hand. Audible is strong if you want momentum and fewer interruptions. The key is not the format itself—it’s picking the one you’ll actually finish in order.

If you’re buying or borrowing, Amazon is a practical place to look for Kindle or print editions, and Audible is the obvious next stop if you want the audio version.

Where the Show or Movie Fits

Short answer: it doesn’t, at least not for this trilogy.

There is no confirmed screen adaptation of Don Winslow’s The Power of the Dog trilogy that changes the reading order or gives you a separate movie-first path. So if you’re trying to decide whether to watch first or read first, there isn’t a verified screen version to place in the sequence.

If you came here because of the film with the same title, that is a different story based on a different novel. It should not be used as a substitute guide for Don Winslow’s books.

So for this series, the screen answer is simple:

  • no screen order to track,
  • no movie-first reading path to plan around,
  • just read the trilogy in order.

Best Starting Point

Start with The Power of the Dog. That is the best starting point for every kind of reader, including audiobook listeners and commuters.

Why this works:

  • it gives you the intended entry into the trilogy,
  • it keeps the story structure intact,
  • it avoids confusion later on,
  • and it makes the rest of the series easier to follow.

If you’re choosing a format, think about your daily workflow:

  • Best for commuting: Audible
  • Best for notes and highlights: Kindle
  • Best for old-school reading: print

If you want to branch out after this trilogy, these are natural next reads and guides:

If you’re deciding between “what’s cheapest” and “what fits best,” the better choice is usually the format you’ll stick with. A good trilogy read is the one you actually finish.

FAQ

What is the correct order for The Power of the Dog books?
Read them as: The Power of the Dog, The Cartel, The Border.

Is publication order the same as beginner order?
Yes. For this trilogy, publication order is the best beginner order too.

Can I start with The Cartel?
You can, but it is not the best place to start. Book one gives you the cleanest entry and the strongest context.

Is there a screen adaptation I should watch first?
Not for this trilogy in any confirmed sense. There is no verified screen version to use as a reading shortcut.

Is the movie The Power of the Dog the same story as these books?
No. It is a separate story based on a different novel, so it does not change the order for Don Winslow’s trilogy.

Should I read it or listen to it on Audible?
Either works. Choose Audible for commuting and hands-free listening, or Kindle/print if you want easier reference and note-taking.