In the Anabasis, Xenophon is relating events he himself played a part in - hence the many geographical and ethnographic details. The Anabasis itself - the march into the interior of the Persian state - takes up the first six books; then there is a description of the battle of Cunaxa; but the bulk of the narrative covers what happened during the retreat through enemy territory, by inaccessible trackways, to the Black Sea coast. This was the famous "Descent of the Ten Thousand".

In the Hellenica, he is relating Greek history from 411 to 362: it takes him seven books. He describes the events of the Peloponnesian War, from the point at which Thucydides stopped: the period of the Thirty Tyrants at Athens; the restoration of democratic rule; and the developments leading to the gradual rise of Theban power, culminating in the battle of Mantinea. The book ends with a statement that Xenophon in person was the writer until that moment (the battle of Mantinea). Xenophon saw history as historical flow (historiae perpetua). This is evident in the way he opens the Hellenica (with the word "then", implying continuity with Thucydides' History) and the way he closes it (with the words "And here I finish the historical tale. As for what is to come, let some other person see to it").

His Agesilaus is an encomium of the Spartan king. So much did Xenophon admire him, that he followed the king to battle against his own land.

Xenophon's fondness for Sparta led him to investigate the Spartan state in his book the Constitution of the Spartans. Here he singles out the principles laid down by Lycurgus. He then examines them and the Spartan institution of double kingship as the historical basis of the city's power, ideals whose relinquishment led to Sparta's downfall.
Xenophon's admiration for the Spartan state has led some scholars to think that the key text The Constitution of the Athenians was written by Xenophon, because of its carping tone: however, the general consensus is that it was by some nameless oligarch. This does not diminish its importance, since the writer, who does not name himself, gives us an extremely graphic picture of the Athenian democracy going about its business. Indeed, he/she explains in his preface that even if he personally disagrees with this form of government, that will show that the Athenians, in choosing it, were right to act as they did.

In his Ways and Means he deals with economic conditions at Athens, setting out ways of improving the city's economy.

In the eight books of his Cyropaedia he says very little about Cyrus' upbringing, preferring to concentrate on the story of Cyrus the Elder - the latter's boyhood, rise to power, and reign. The work is full of instructive tales; and the choice of incidents, and the way they are presented, are meant to give us a portrait not of the historical Cyrus, but of the ideal ruler.

The Cavalry Commander and On Horsemanship are manuals for a leader of cavalry and for any rider needing to keep his mount in good condition.

Xenophon's Oeconomicus is a mine of information for scholars. The speaker is one Ischomachus, a well-to-do landowner who has just married. He describes - to Socrates - his daily programme and the division of tasks between his slaves, in minute detail. Even more important than the many sidelights on the Athenian life-style at the time in his description, is the work's value as an overview of the life of an Athenian woman.

The four books of the Memorabilia contain Socratic dialogues and incidents involving Socrates. Xenophon admired him and was influenced by him. The Socratica also include Socrates' Apologia. To the same group belongs Xenophon's Symposium, describing a party at the house of Callias, with Socrates making an oratorical speech on pleasurable and spiritual love.

Hieron is an imaginary dialogue between the poet Simonides and Hieron tyrannos of Sicily, on the nature and potential of sole power.

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