Origins of The Wheel of Time

The Legends and Mythologies That Inspired Robert Jordan

By: Michael Livingston, Harriet McDougal - contributor, Robert Jordan

Narrated by: Harriet McDougal, Kate Reading, Michael Kramer, Michael Livingston

This program includes a bonus interview with Rosamund Pike.

“Jordan has come to dominate the world Tolkien began to reveal.”—The New York Times on The Wheel of Time® series

Explore never-before-seen insights into the Wheel of Time, including:

—An alternate scene from an early draft of The Eye of the World

—The long-awaited backstory of Nakomi

Take a deep dive into the real-world history and mythology that inspired the world of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time®. Origins of The Wheel of Time is written by Michael Livingston, Secretary-General of the United States Commission on Military History and professor of medieval literature at The Citadel, with a Foreword by Harriet McDougal, Robert Jordan's editor, widow, and executor of his estate.

This companion to the internationally bestselling series will delve into the creation of Robert Jordan’s masterpiece, drawing from interviews and an unprecedented examination of his unpublished notes. Michael Livingston tells the behind-the-scenes story of who Jordan was, how he worked, and why he holds such an important place in modern literature.

The second part of the book is a glossary to the “real world” in The Wheel of Time. King Arthur is in The Wheel of Time. Merlin, too. But so are Alexander the Great and the Apollo Space Program, the Norse gods and Napoleon’s greatest defeat—and so much more.

Origins of The Wheel of Time will provide exciting knowledge and insights to both new and longtime fans looking to either expand their understanding of the series or unearth the real-life influences that Jordan utilized in his world building—all in one, accessible audiobook.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Michael Livingston (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

If you read The Wheel of Time, this is a must-read!

10/10 recommend for ANYONE who has finished The Wheel Of Time. Though the explanations of the real-world references in WoT were fascinating, my favorite parts were about Robert Jordan himself, a legend in his own right.

Historical basis for writing The Wheel of Time

This was a fabulous book which details the historical basis of the elements Jordan used when writing The Wheel of Time series. It contains MANY spoilers, so do not listen to this first!! 😁

Great look into this world

I already loved wheel of time but this really helps see where this wild world came from. Great info for fans.

A fan’s delight

If you have read the entire series and looking for the stories, names, and battles that influenced the creation of the book series and it’s rich world then you will love this book.

It also includes a chapter on Robert Jordan’s personal history that’s really interesting.

The book is full spoilers so don’t read even the biography if you haven’t finished the series. Major secrets are discussed without warning.

excellent background and forward

sometimes you need to understand what you're favorite author was thinking after reading the series so many times you can complete the sentence of the narrator.