The Wheel of Time Companion

by Robert Jordan, Harriet McDougal, Alan Romanczuk, Maria Simons

The definitive encyclopedia for #1 New York Times bestselling series

Since its debut in 1990, The Wheel of Time® by Robert Jordan has captivated millions of readers around the globe with its scope, originality, and compelling characters. Over the course of fifteen books and millions of words, the world that Jordan created grew in depth and complexity. However, only a fraction of what Jordan imagined ended up on the page, the rest going into his personal files.

Now The Wheel of Time Companion sheds light on some of the most intriguing aspects of the world, including biographies and motivations of many characters that never made it into the books, but helped bring Jordan’s world to life.

Included in the volume in an A-to-Z format are:

• An entry for each named character
• An inclusive dictionary of the Old Tongue
• New maps of the Last Battle
• New portraits of many characters
• Histories and customs of the nations of the world
• The strength level of many channelers
• Descriptions of the flora and fauna unique to the world
• And much more!

The Wheel of Time Companion will be required reading for The Wheel of Time’s millions of fans.

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Non-fiction

Release date: October 29, 2015

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Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan, the legendary author behind The Wheel of Time series, crafted one of the most intricate and expansive fantasy universes ever to grace the genre. Born James Oliver Rigney Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1948, his early life seemed far removed from the epic world-building and mysticism that would later define his literary career. His love for storytelling, however, began early, nurtured by his voracious reading habits and an interest in history and mythology.

Jordan’s path to becoming a literary giant was hardly linear. Before settling into a career as a novelist, he earned a degree in physics from The Citadel and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. It was during this period that Jordan began to develop his distinctive storytelling style, drawing from the discipline of strategy, the depth of historical study, and a fascination with the complexities of human nature. These influences would later form the backbone of The Wheel of Time — a series that transcends mere fantasy to explore themes of fate, leadership, and the cyclical nature of time.

The Wheel of Time began its journey in 1990 with the publication of The Eye of the World, and what followed was a monumental 14-book saga, along with a prequel, that spanned decades and captivated millions. Jordan’s ability to create richly detailed worlds, nuanced characters, and intricate political landscapes earned him a reputation as one of the foremost figures in epic fantasy. His work resonated deeply with readers, particularly for its complex magic system and the way it wove together themes of destiny, morality, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Jordan’s writing is renowned for its deep immersion into character psychology and the subtle interplay of light and dark in his sprawling world. His novels are a study in patience — unfolding at a deliberate pace that rewards readers with layers of meaning. But it’s his ability to evoke raw emotion, alongside carefully plotted battles and strategies, that truly set his work apart from other fantasy sagas. His exploration of female characters, in particular, was groundbreaking at the time, with many of his female protagonists occupying positions of strength, leadership, and complexity rarely seen in genre fiction.

Though Jordan passed away in 2007, leaving the Wheel of Time series incomplete, his legacy endures. Brandon Sanderson was entrusted with finishing the saga, a testament to the profound impact Jordan had on the literary world. His works have not only shaped the landscape of fantasy but also inspired television adaptations, graphic novels, and a dedicated fanbase whose passion for his world continues to burn bright.

Jordan’s final words to his fans were simple yet profound: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” He leaves behind a literary universe filled with depth, richness, and a promise of discovery for generations to come.

In the ever-expanding world of fantasy literature, Robert Jordan’s name remains synonymous with intricate storytelling, bold imagination, and a mastery of the genre’s finest traditions.

Photo: Jeanne Collins / CC BY 3.0

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 — considered a complete series. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.