Rest in Peace, Jerry Pournelle

Adventures Fantastic is deeply saddened to report that Jerry Pournelle passed away in his sleep this morning, September 8, 2017.  Pournelle was born on August 7, 1933.

I never had the chance to meet Mr. Pournelle.  He was a noted science fiction author, both on his own and in collaboration with Larry Niven.  Some of his better known works include the Falkenberg’s Legion series, King David’s Spaceship, and Janissaries. Among his collaborations with Larry Niven are the novels The Mote in God’s Eye, Lucifer’s Hammer, and Footfall.

Pournelle was also the editor on a number of anthology series, foremost among them the There Shall Be War series.

I would like to extend my condolences to Jerry Pournelle’s family, friends, fans, and his collaborator Larry Niven.

9 thoughts on “Rest in Peace, Jerry Pournelle

  1. Matthew

    The only thing I’ve read by Pournelle is Mote in God’s Eye which he co-wrote with Larry Niven, but I enjoyed that a lot.

    Reply
    1. Keith West Post author

      I’ve been intending to read that one for years and have never gotten around to it. I’ve read a number of his other collaborations with Niven, as well as a bit of his solo work. It’s been too long since I have, though.

      Reply
      1. Matthew

        From what I remember it was pretty good, but the ending had it’s problems. I also remember that way back in the 90s Amazons was filled reviews complaining about what we now call “micro-aggressions.” The more things change…

        Reply
    1. Keith West Post author

      I had heard that, but thanks for the reminder. I loved his work when I was a teenager. I’m swamped at the moment, so it might be a day or so before I can post something.

      Reply
      1. Matthew

        I know you probably did not intend this, but saying “swamped” when talking about the creator of Swamp Things death is kind of blackly humorous.

        Reply
        1. Keith West Post author

          You’re right, that was completely unintentional. I apologize for any offense I may have given anyone. I’m fighting sinus crud today, and the synapses aren’t firing properly. Swamp Thing (the Wein/Wrightson version) was a little before my time. I didn’t really read ST until Alan Moore took over, so I tend to think of that incarnation of the character when I think about the writing. I remember Wein for his work on later comics.

          Reply
          1. Matthew

            I didn’t think you were trying to be offensive and it’s possible no one but me would have noticed, but I did not want any misunderstandings.

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