Besides five novels, he has also written books on science, philosophy, history, literature, medicine and economics. He is the author of two series of short introductory books: Philosophers in 90 Minutes and The Big Idea: Scientists Who Changed the World.
His book on the history of chemistry entitled Mendeleyev's Dream (2000) was short-listed for the Aventis Prize, and his works have been translated into over two dozen languages.
His work on economic history Dr Strangelove's Game (2001) was chosen as a Google business book of the year. His book Ten Cities that Changed The World (2022) was chosen as a Waterstones History Book of the Year.
Strathern was a lecturer at Kingston University, where he taught philosophy and mathematics. He has one daughter.
Exploration by Land (Silk and Spices Routes Series; London: Belitha Press for UNESCO, 1993); published in Irish as Bóthar an tSíoda: taiscéalaíocht thar tír (Baile Átha Cliath [i.e. Dublin]: An Gúm, 2000)
Mendeleyev's Dream: The Quest for the Elements (London: Hamish Hamilton, 2000; US edn. New York: St. Martins Press, 2001; reissued London: Penguin, 2001). Selected as one of Bill Gates' '5 of my all-time favorite books'.[4]
『メディチ家:ルネサンスのゴッドファーザー』(ロンドン:ジョナサン・ケープ、2003年;ロンドン:ヴィンテージ・ブックスより2007年に再版);『メディチ家:イタリア・ルネサンスにおける権力、金、そして野心』(ニューヨーク:ペガサス・ブックス、2016年)としても出版;イタリア語版『I Medici: potere, denaro e ambizione』(I volti della storia、第427号;ピサ:ニュートン・コンプトン、2017年)およびロシア語版も出版
ヒューム (1711–76) in 90 Minutes (Philosophers in 90 Minutes シリーズ、ロンドン: コンスタブル、1996)。『The Essential Hume』(ヴァージン哲学者シリーズ、ロンドン:ヴァージン、2002年)として再発行。フランス語ではHume, je connais!として出版されました。 (Air de savoir. Série Les philosophes, je connais; Paris: Mallard Editions, 1998)