The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time is one of the most extraordinary works of fantasy ever published – a series that has topped the international bestseller lists and is now appearing in fourteen languages. Since 1990 these eight magnificent books have transported readers to a world so strikingly real, so rich in detail and complexity, it seems to rise from memory rather than the printed page.
This essential companion to The Wheel of Time is for everyone interested in the history and the background of this incredible series – never-before-told legends, previously unknown peoples and lands, exotic beasts and portents of what may come to pass.
With more than 70 full-colour paintings that include stunning new world maps, portraits of the central characters, landscapes, objects of Power and national flags, this comprehensive guide is indispensable to any fan of Robert Jordan.
Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan (real name James Oliver Rigney, Jr, 1948–2007) was born in Charleston, South Carolina, where he lived in a house built in 1797 with his wife Harriet, who works as a book editor. He was a graduate of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, with a degree in physics. He served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. A history buff, he also wrote dance and theater criticism. He enjoyed the outdoor sports of hunting, fishing, and sailing, and the indoor sports of poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting. Jordan described himself as a ”High Church” Episcopalian. He died of amyloidosis in 16th of September, 2007.
The Wheel of Time
Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time is a story that takes place both in our past and our future. In his fantasy world, the Dark One, the embodiment of pure evil, is breaking free from his prison. The overall plot is about a man who learns that he is the reincarnation of the world’s messiah and is once again destined to save the world from the Dark One – but possibly destroy it in the process. This saga is not only his story, but the story of an entire world’s struggle to deal with war and change, destruction and hope.
The Wheel of Time consists of fifteen primary books, and includes three additional books that complement the series but are not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.