'Wheel of Time' author dead at 58

CNN ^ | 9/17/07 | AP

[Domandred]

Author Robert Jordan, whose "Wheel of Time" series of fantasy novels sold millions of copies, has died of a rare blood disease, his aide said Monday. He was 58.

Jordan, whose real name was James Oliver Rigney Jr., died Sunday at the Medical University of South Carolina of complications from primary amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, his personal assistant, Maria Simons, said. The disease attacks the body's major organs; in Jordan's case, it caused the walls of his heart to thicken.

[jonathanmo]

In the tradition of many recent series, my prediction is that the Wheel Of Time will continue, written by someone designated by the Jordan estate, and all loose ends will be tied up. Well, that's probably not possible, but some semblance of an ending will be done.

[Brucifer]

“Merv Griffinus”

LOL

[Old Professer]

Contagion is not an agent of this ailment; this is but another of the “auto-immune” diseases that remain unsolved as to cause.

[Crucis Country]

Taken from the "Lawdog Files". http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com Monday, September 17, 2007
Requiscat in Pacem

James Oliver Rigney, Jr
17OCT1948 to 16SEP2007

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Mr. Rigney served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a chopper pilot, receiving the Bronze Star with 'V' and cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with cluster and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm -- twice.

After his return, Mr. Rigney attended The Citadel, where he graduated with a degree in physics, then served the US Navy as a nuclear engineer.

A historian, hunter, pipe collector and true Southern Gentleman who lived in a house in Charleston built in 1797, Mr. Rigney also dallied as a writer.

Fond of his privacy, Mr. Rigney wrote under pen names: Regean O'Neal, Jackson O'Reilly and Chang Lung were some of those -- but he was probably best known as Robert Jordan.

Rest in Peace, sir.
LawDog

[Malsua]

and all loose ends will be tied up

I'd like to see someone like Dan Simmons do that. He always satisfies in that regard. I always felt a "but what happens to..." after every one.

[Belasarius]

Well, let me say that I and my son enjoyed the whole series. I don’t remember reading one and praying that it would be over soon. I’m not saying that it was writing for the ages but that I got my money’s worth for a little harmless diversion.

I was unaware that the author had such commendable service to our country but am glad to hear of it. I might start re-reading those things now.

[Portnoy]

I stopped reading the series about three books ago. I was just waiting for him to finally finish before attempting to read the read.

Sadly he lost his way around book 7. Wonder if they will release what he has already written?

[DesertSapper]

My condolences to his family.

I tried to wade through the Wheel of Time series but don't think I finished reading book 10. Jordan's writing grabbed me for most of the first 7 or 8 books in the series but seemed to be unable to conclude even minor sub-plots. That said, Jordan created some of the most interesting fiction characters ever written.

The Battle of Dumai's Wells (Lord of Chaos - book 6 I think) is one of the most memorable events I've read. I rank that scene up there with Tolkien's Battle of Helm's Deep. Wonderful writing.

[Mr. Jeeves]

The Battle of Dumai's Wells (Lord of Chaos - book 6 I think) is one of the most memorable events I've read. I rank that scene up there with Tolkien's Battle of Helm's Deep. Wonderful writing.

Yeah, that was a pretty good climax - unfortunately, that was also about the last good scene in the series. Books eight and ten were almost toally irrelevant to the larger story, eleven only a little better. Illness must have already been taking a toll on him.

[Hyzenthlay]

*sniff*

I just finished book 5 last night, and I’ve loved them... after books 1 and 2 it does get slow in places, but I enjoy having something it takes me a significant amount of time to read.