The Fires of Heaven

James Oliver Rigney Jr. (October 17, 1948 – September 16, 2007), known by his pen name Robert Jordan, was an American author known for his epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Jordan developed a passion for storytelling and served two tours in Vietnam before pursuing a writing career in 1977. Jordan is best known for The Wheel of Time, a sprawling fantasy saga that combines intricate world-building, complex characters, and a richly detailed magic system. The series spans fourteen books and a prequel novel, with the first volume, [The Eye of the World], published in 1990. The narrative explores themes of prophecy, destiny, and the struggle between good and evil, set in a meticulously crafted world with its own history, cultures, and languages. After Jordan's passing in 2007, fellow fantasy author [Brandon Sanderson]was chosen to complete the series using Jordan's extensive notes and outlines. The final three books were published between 2009 and 2013, bringing the epic saga to a conclusion. Jordan was one of several writers who contributed to the Conan the Barbarian series, with his works considered among the best by fans. He wrote seven Conan novels, and compiled a well-known Conan Chronology. In addition to his fantasy writing, Jordan used various pseudonyms for different genres: Reagan O'Neal for historical novels set during the American Revolution, Jackson O'Reilly for a western novel, and Chang Lung for his dance and theater criticism. Jordan's ability to create immersive worlds and compelling characters has earned him a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades. His work on The Wheel of Time series has sold over 90 million copies worldwide and was adapted into a television series by Amazon Prime Video in 2021. His favorite authors included: [Robert A. Heinlein], [John D. MacDonald], [Louis L'Amour], [Jane Austen], [Charles Dickens], [Mark Twain], and [Montaigne]. Fantasy authors he enjoyed included: [Tad Williams], [Robert Holdstock], [Raymond E. Feist], [Janny Wurts], [Barry Hughart], and [C. S. Friedman]. (Sources:,,)