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Joel Rosenberg

ジョエル・ローゼンバーグ

Jōeru Rōzenbāgu

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1954-05-01 （Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada）
Died
2011-06-02 （Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.） age 57
Nationality
Canada, United States
Languages
English
Religion
Unknown
Residence History
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada → Northwood, North Dakota, U.S. → Connecticut, U.S. → Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Handgun instructor, Gun rights activist
Active Years
1982-2011
Nominations
Prometheus Award Best Novel nominee (1992): D'Shai

Education

University of Connecticut
Social Work
Country: United States
Studied to be a social worker and counselor but turned to writing

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Sleeping Dragon

1983 Fantasy

First book in the Guardians of the Flame series where college students are transported to a fantasy role-playing world.

freedomabolition of slaveryself-defense

The Fire Duke

1995 Fantasy

First book in the Keepers of the Hidden Ways trilogy using Norse mythology elements.

mythologyadventurereal world vs fantasy

D'Shai

1991 Fantasy Mystery

Lightly humorous mystery set in an Asian-influenced fantasy world.

etiquetteculturemystery

Bibliography

  • The Sleeping Dragon (1983)
  • The Sword and the Chain (1984)
  • The Silver Crown (1985)
  • The Heir Apparent (1987)
  • The Warrior Lives (1988)
  • The Road to Ehvenor (1991)
  • The Road Home (1995)
  • Not Exactly the Three Musketeers (1999)
  • Not Quite Scaramouche (2001)
  • Not Really the Prisoner of Zenda (2003)
  • The Fire Duke (1995)
  • The Silver Stone (1996)
  • The Crimson Sky (1998)
  • Ties of Blood and Silver (1984)
  • Emile and the Dutchman (1985)
  • Not for Glory (1988)
  • Hero (1990)
  • D'Shai (1991)
  • Hour of the Octopus (1994)
  • Paladins (2004)
  • Knight Moves (2006)
  • Home Front (2003)
  • Family Matters (2004)
  • Murder in LaMut (2003, with Raymond E. Feist)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Detailed firearm and combat descriptionsRealistic fantasy world-buildingCharacter development focus
Recurring Motifs
freedom and libertyanti-slaveryright to bear armsprotecting childrencelebration of industrial revolution

Health

  • Diabetes
    生涯
    Required ongoing health management
  • Respiratory depression
    2011年6月
    Led to heart attack, brain damage, major organ failure, and death

Legacy

Canadian-American SF and fantasy author best known for the long-running Guardians of the Flame series. Also renowned as a gun rights advocate and handgun safety expert.

Quotes

  • "Boy I'd really love to be in the world of my game." And Joel literally woke up in the middle of the night and said, "Like hell you would. This is what it would really be like."
    Source: Wife Felicia Herman's interview (2011)

Trivia

  • Born in Winnipeg to a Canadian mother and American father, holding dual citizenship.
  • Older brother of Miami Herald reporter Carol Rosenberg.
  • Married Felicia Herman with two daughters.
  • Hobbies included backgammon, poker, bridge, and cooking.
  • Arrested in 2010 for openly carrying a handgun into Minneapolis City Hall, becoming a symbol for gun rights.