diff --git a/zebra-network/src/address_book.rs b/zebra-network/src/address_book.rs
index 07d40a6c..9e15dce0 100644
--- a/zebra-network/src/address_book.rs
+++ b/zebra-network/src/address_book.rs
@@ -113,8 +113,20 @@ impl AddressBook {
 
     /// Returns an iterator that drains entries from the address book, removing
     /// them in order from most recent to least recent.
-    pub fn drain_recent<'a>(&'a mut self) -> impl Iterator<Item = MetaAddr> + 'a {
-        Drain { book: self }
+    pub fn drain_newest<'a>(&'a mut self) -> impl Iterator<Item = MetaAddr> + 'a {
+        Drain {
+            book: self,
+            newest_first: true,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Returns an iterator that drains entries from the address book, removing
+    /// them in order from most recent to least recent.
+    pub fn drain_oldest<'a>(&'a mut self) -> impl Iterator<Item = MetaAddr> + 'a {
+        Drain {
+            book: self,
+            newest_first: false,
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -131,18 +143,23 @@ impl Extend<MetaAddr> for AddressBook {
 
 struct Drain<'a> {
     book: &'a mut AddressBook,
+    newest_first: bool,
 }
 
 impl<'a> Iterator for Drain<'a> {
     type Item = MetaAddr;
 
     fn next(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
-        let most_recent = self.book.by_time.iter().next()?.clone();
-        self.book.by_time.remove(&most_recent);
+        let next_item = if self.newest_first {
+            self.book.by_time.iter().next()?.clone()
+        } else {
+            self.book.by_time.iter().rev().next()?.clone()
+        };
+        self.book.by_time.remove(&next_item);
         self.book
             .by_addr
-            .remove(&most_recent.addr)
+            .remove(&next_item.addr)
             .expect("cannot have by_time entry without by_addr entry");
-        Some(most_recent)
+        Some(next_item)
     }
 }
diff --git a/zebrad/src/commands/connect.rs b/zebrad/src/commands/connect.rs
index 6bc5893f..5da2876c 100644
--- a/zebrad/src/commands/connect.rs
+++ b/zebrad/src/commands/connect.rs
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ impl ConnectCmd {
             );
         }
 
-        let addrs = all_addrs.drain_recent().collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        let addrs = all_addrs.drain_newest().collect::<Vec<_>>();
 
         info!(addrs.len = addrs.len(), ab.len = all_addrs.peers().count());
         let mut head = Vec::new();