Perhaps that proves that Jordan did inspire both the average reader and writers as great as Martin. Martin, Game of Thrones author, praised Jordan’s writing style, saying, “His huge, ambitious Wheel of Time book series helped redefine the genre.” The two continued publishing together, with McDougal retaining her editorial role for Rigney’s entire career. The final three novels of the 14-book series-The Gathering Storm (2009), Towers of Midnight (2010), and A Memory of Light (2012)-were written by Brandon Sanderson, and he did an amazing job. Rigney died on September 16, 2007, before he could finish the series, only managing to finish 11 books in the Wheel of Time series. His first novel, The Fallon Blood, was published by Popham Press in 1980, a publishing company owned by his soon-to-be wife, Harriet McDougal. He needed something to pass the time, so he started writing. fell from a submarine and shattered his leg and knee. (Image credit: Jay Dobkin on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0) Robert Jordan’s signature printed on the title page of the published A Memory of Light. Following his graduation, James became a nuclear engineer in the U.S.

His military honors include two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, the Bronze Star with “V” and oak leaf cluster, and the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster.Īfter his two tours, he went to The Military College of South Carolina, The Citadel, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974. James died a distinguished vet, with two tours served in Vietnam as a helicopter gunner. He dropped out of Clemson University to enlist in the U.S. Robert Jordan, whose real name is James Oliver Rigney Jr., was born on October 17, 1948, in Charleston, South Carolina. Robert Jordan: The Genius Behind the 14 Wonders

The wheel of time series in order