James Ward Popular Books

James Ward Biography & Facts

James Michael Ward III (May 23, 1951 – March 18, 2024) was an American game designer and fantasy author who worked for TSR, Inc. for more than 20 years, most notably on the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. He wrote various books relating to Dungeons & Dragons, including guidebooks such as Deities & Demigods, and novels including Pool of Radiance, based on the computer game of the same name. Early life and education Jim Ward was born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin to James Ward Jr. and Orabelle Ward. He attended University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he earned a double major in English and History. He then moved to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin: 109  and taught for five years at West Grant High School in Patch Grove, Wisconsin.During this time, Ward become interested in wargaming, and was drawn into the International Federation of Wargamers (IFW) founded by Gary Gygax in nearby Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In 1973, Gygax introduced some of the players to a new concept in wargaming — a game that would eventually become Dungeons & Dragons — where each player took on the role of one character in a fantasy setting that Gygax called Greyhawk. By the following year, Ward was one of these players, and created a wizard he named Leledibmob. During one session, Leledibmob urgently need an item that he had left behind, and Gygax created a new spell that allowed Leledibmob to retrieve the item. Gygax called the spell Drawmij's Instant Summons — "Drawmij" being "Jim Ward" spelled backwards. Dungeons & Dragons and TSR In 1974, Gygax and Don Kaye formed Tactical Studies Rules (TSR) in order to publish Dungeons & Dragons. When sales of the new game took off in 1975, TSR rapidly expanded its product line, and Ward started to design games and write material for them.: 24  In 1976, Ward worked with Rob Kuntz to produce Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes that expanded the original D&D game by introducing gods.: 8  On his own, Ward designed Metamorphosis Alpha (1976), which was the second science-fantasy role-playing game, and published as TSR's fourth role-playing game.: 9 In 1980, Ward left teaching to become a full-time employee of TSR and co-authored Deities & Demigods.: 382  In the early 1980s, Ward and Rose Estes formed an education department at TSR, planning to market classroom modules to teachers.: 14  At the 1983 EastCon convention, Ward ran Kuntz's adventure "The Maze of Xaene" as the D&D tournament module, although that module was never published by TSR.: 240 However, in 1984, TSR faced a financial crunch due to senior mismanagement, and Ward, along with dozens of other employees, was laid off. Ward continued to write products for TSR, which paid him in royalties. In 1986, TSR hired Ward back. Ward wrote Greyhawk Adventures (1988), a hardcover supplement that presented new rules for the Greyhawk setting.: 19 Ward, with David Cook, Steve Winter, and Mike Breault, co-wrote the Ruins of Adventure scenario that was adapted into the popular computer game Pool of Radiance.When TSR produced a second edition of AD&D (1989), Ward instituted changes such as removing assassins and half-orcs as player character options from the game, explaining this decision in Dragon #154 (February 1990) that "[a]voiding the Angry Mother Syndrome has become a good, basic guideline for all of the designers and editors at TSR, Inc"; Ward printed many replies from upset players in Dragon #158.: 23 Ward can be glimpsed early in the Dragon Strike tutorial video playing the man who is slapped in the face at the king's party.Ward designed the Spellfire collectible card game. Ward was eventually made the VP for Creative Services. In 1996, TSR suffered another financial crisis when an unanticipated number of books were returned by booksellers. Ward was ordered to lay off thirty editors and designers, but Ward instead resigned. The financial crisis would shortly result in the company being bought by Wizards of the Coast.: 30  After TSR Now a freelance designer, Ward created the Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game.Ward then co-founded the d20 company Fast Forward Entertainment with Timothy Brown, Lester Smith, John Danovich, and Sean Everett, and from 2000 to 2005, he was president of the company: 351 t of Fast Forward Entertainment, an independent game development company. Ward wrote Sete-Ka's Dream Quest (2006), an adventure gamebook published by Margaret Weis Productions.: 353  He wrote the Halcyon Blithe novel Dragonfrigate Wizard (Tor, 2006), which he considered one of his better and prouder creations.Ward then joined Troll Lord Games, writing supplements such as the boxed set Towers of Adventures (2008) and the Castles & Crusades supplement Of Gods & Monsters (2009); Ward was also made the editor for their Castles & Crusades magazine, The Crusader Journal.: 382  Ward also wrote the horror fantasy game Tainted Lands (2009), based on the "SIEGE" system from Castles & Crusades.: 382 Together with Frank Mentzer, Chris Clark and Tim Klark, Ward co-founded Eldritch Enterprises, which planned to publish a variety of general works as well as new creations for role-playing games.: 234 Ward wrote for Gygax Magazine beginning in 2013, including a new Metamorphosis Alpha adventure "They All Died at the International Space Station," which was also released as a standalone product. Ward was co-author of GiantLands by Wonderfilled, which was announced on Kickstarter in 2019 and shipped in 2022. Personal life In 1973, Ward married his high school sweetheart Janean M. Bray, and they had three sons together, Breck, James, and Theon.In 2010, Ward was diagnosed with a serious neurological disorder that required treatment at the Mayo Clinic. His friend Tim Kask helped to establish a fund to help Ward offset some of the medical bills.Ward died on March 18, 2024, at the age of 72. Legacy In 1989 Ward was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Hall of Fame. Selected works Fiction Dragonsword of Lankhmar (TSR, 1986), a pair of gamebooks starring Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser characters.: 367  Pool of Radiance, with Jane Cooper Hong, (TSR, 1989), a Forgotten Realms novel derived from the Pool of Radiance computer game. Pools of Darkness, with Anne K. Brown (TSR, 1992), the sequel to Pool of Radiance. Pool of Twilight, with Anne K. Brown (TSR, 1993), the third book in the Pool series. Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe (Tor Books, 2005). Sete-Ka's Dream Quest (Margaret Weis Productions, 2006). Dragonfrigate Wizard Halcyon Blithe (Tor Books, 2006). Time Twisters Anthology (Daw Books, 2006). The Curse of Time (Margaret Weis Productions, 2007).Role-playing games Metamorphosis Alpha (TSR, 1976),: 273  one of the first science fiction role-playing games.: 109  Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes, with Robert J. Kuntz (TSR, 1976), one of the first four rules supplements to the original edition of Dungeons & Dragons.: 109  Gamma World, with Gary Jaquet (TSR, 1978),: 273 .... Discover the James Ward popular books. Find the top 100 most popular James Ward books.

Best Seller James Ward Books of 2024

  • We Three Dragons synopsis, comments

    We Three Dragons

    Ed Greenwood, James M. Ward & Jeff Grubb

    A trio of dragon tales for the holiday season…The Knight, Before Christmasby Jeff GrubbA family celebrates their midwinter holiday with the poetic telling of the tale a bold knight...

  • How We Fight for Our Lives synopsis, comments

    How We Fight for Our Lives

    Saeed Jones

    From awardwinning poet Saeed Jones, How We Fight for Our Liveswinner of the Kirkus Prize and the Stonewall Book Awardis a “moving, bracingly honest memoir” (The New York Times Book...

  • Wycliffe and Death in a Salubrious Place synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and Death in a Salubrious Place

    W.J. Burley

    On the beautiful, tranquil Scilly Isles, a brutal murder is uncovered...There was no doubt at all that the girl was dead. The front of her skull and her facial bones had been splin...

  • Charco Harbour synopsis, comments

    Charco Harbour

    Godfrey Blunden

    The story of the legendary Captain James Cook.It is 1768. War has broken out in Europe and the British Admiralty wants a base in the Western Pacific.So Captain James Cook and a com...

  • Eddie James Ward v. State Texas synopsis, comments

    Eddie James Ward v. State Texas

    The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

    The record reflects that, shortly before 9:00 A.M. on July 9, 1969, two men entered the Texas Warrant Company in Austin, produced pistols, and announced a "holdup". The two gunmen ...

  • The Silver Wind synopsis, comments

    The Silver Wind

    Nina Allan

    Named as one of '50 Writers You Should Read Now' by The Guardian. From the awardwinning author of The Rift, Nina Allan, The Silver Wind is a remarkable narrative exploring the natu...

  • The 100 Best Romance Novels synopsis, comments

    The 100 Best Romance Novels

    Jennifer Lawler & Crimson Romance Editors

    "My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." Mr. Darcy, Pride and PrejudiceThe taboo affair of Jane and Mr. Rochester. The...

  • A Death in Rembrandt Square synopsis, comments

    A Death in Rembrandt Square

    Anja de Jager

    Guilty until proven innocent . . .It's hard for anyone to have their work scrutinised in public. For Amsterdambased detective Lotte Meerman, listening to the Right to Justice podc...

  • Wycliffe and the Guilt-Edged Alibi synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Guilt-Edged Alibi

    W.J. Burley

    A family feud leads to murder and Superintendent Wycliffe is on the case...Caroline Bryce came from the top of the social register in the tranquil town of Treen. So it was quite a...

  • We Are a Haunting synopsis, comments

    We Are a Haunting

    Tyriek White

    WINNER, The Center for Fiction First Novel PrizeBrooklyn Public Library Book Prize LonglistA Best Book of 2023 NPR, Electric Literature, Largehearted Boy, Black Girl Nerds, Le Noi...

  • Fifth Ward to Fourth Quarter synopsis, comments

    Fifth Ward to Fourth Quarter

    Delvin Williams

    After his release from the Green Bay Packers, realizing that his football career was abruptly over, Delvin Williams asked himself some hard questions: What happened to the game he ...

  • People State New York v. James K. Ward synopsis, comments

    People State New York v. James K. Ward

    Supreme Court of New York

    Ordered that the judgment is affirmed. The convictions challenged on this appeal stem from the violent death of a woman whose beaten and partially clad body was discover...

  • Navigate Your Stars synopsis, comments

    Navigate Your Stars

    Jesmyn Ward

    A revelatory, uplifting, and gorgeously illustrated meditation on dedication, hard work, and the power of perseverance from the beloved, New York Times bestselling, and twotime Nat...

  • Wycliffe and the Dunes Mystery synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Dunes Mystery

    W.J. Burley

    A highprofile murder investigation for Wycliffe, in Cornwall's heartland.Cochran Wilder disappeared fifteen years ago while on a walking holiday in Cornwall. Recently released from...

  • A Cold Case in Amsterdam Central synopsis, comments

    A Cold Case in Amsterdam Central

    Anja de Jager

    Having been shot in the shoulder in the line of duty, Dutch police detective Lotte Meerman returns to work after four months of painful recovery yet not all her colleagues are hap...

  • The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer synopsis, comments

    The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer

    Professor Trisha Greenhalgh & Dr Liz O’Riordan

    The book you can trust to support you at every stage of your treatment and beyondWinner of best 'Popular Medicine' book, BMA Medical Book Awards 2019 Professor Trisha Greenhalgh, ...

  • Manchild in the Promised Land synopsis, comments

    Manchild in the Promised Land

    Claude Brown

    With more than two million copies in print, Manchild in the Promised Land is one of the most remarkable autobiographies of our timethe definitive account of AfricanAmerican youth i...

  • A Room on the Route synopsis, comments

    A Room on the Route

    Godfrey Blunden

    This is the story of lives under the constant scrutiny of the N.K.V.D.Here is a monumental novel that shows how the fantastic Communist willtopower has led to the enslavement of th...

  • Iron Man synopsis, comments

    Iron Man

    Tony Iommi

    Black Sabbath is currently on “The End Tour,” which they have proclaimed as their final concert tour. Iron Man chronicles the story of both pioneering guitarist Tony Iommi and lege...

  • Serial synopsis, comments

    Serial

    Jim Lusby

    'This is the real Ireland, where pleasure and pain are inextricably linked' Val McDermidA brilliant breakthrough crime novel from one of the most respected names in the business......

  • Death on the Canal synopsis, comments

    Death on the Canal

    Anja de Jager

    '. . . a novel brilliantly evoking the isolation of a woman with an unbearable weight on her conscience' Sunday TimesWhere do your loyalties lie? With the truth or with your collea...

  • Ruby synopsis, comments

    Ruby

    Nina Allan

    Named as one of '50 Writers You Should Read Now' by The Guardian. From the awardwinning author of The Rift, Nina Allan, this early storycycle explores the lives touched on by the e...

  • Death at the Orange Locks synopsis, comments

    Death at the Orange Locks

    Anja de Jager

    'A novel brilliantly evoking the isolation of a woman with an unbearable weight on her conscience' Sunday Times Keeping it in the family...After her painful divorce four years ago,...

  • When Things Get Dark synopsis, comments

    When Things Get Dark

    Ellen Datlow, Joyce Carol Oates, Josh Malerman, Carmen Maria Machado & Paul Tremblay

    The Stoker Awardwinning chilling anthology of 18 short stories in tribute to the genius of Shirley Jackson, collecting today’s best horror writers. Featuring Joyce Carol Oates, Jos...

  • This Is the Book You Give Your Dad synopsis, comments

    This Is the Book You Give Your Dad

    Matt Goulet & Andrew Janik

    The quirky and charming illustrated book for the #1 man in your lifedad!is complete with all of the facts, fun, and knowledge he needs to become the King of Dads.Let’s face it: no ...

  • James Ward v. State Texas synopsis, comments

    James Ward v. State Texas

    Thirteenth District, Corpus Christi Court of Appeals of Texas

    A jury found appellant, James Ward, guilty of murder and assessed punishment at life imprisonment in the Texas Department of Corrections. Appellant challenges by three points of er...

  • Nine Inch Nails synopsis, comments

    Nine Inch Nails

    Martin Huxley

    Sound, throb, and a long low wail of pure, hard pain... Nine Inch Nails. The world's most disturbing rock band is in effect one man singer and songwriter Trent Reznor. Since steali...

  • Arkansas Mischief synopsis, comments

    Arkansas Mischief

    Jim McDougal

    Until his recent death in federal prison, Jim McDougal was the irrepressible ghost of the Clintons' Arkansas past. As Bill Clinton's political and business mentor, McDougal...

  • Every Commandment but the Fifth synopsis, comments

    Every Commandment but the Fifth

    James Ward

    Stewart is a worldclass worrier who forsakes his wife and career for a simpler existence. He falls further and further down the rungs of life, until he ends up in a tent city run b...

  • Tomlin synopsis, comments

    Tomlin

    John Harris & Tony Dungy

    In 2007, at the age of thirtyfour, Mike Tomlin was hired as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Replacing Hall of Famer Bill Cowherand two years removed from the team’s Supe...

  • Battlefield 4 synopsis, comments

    Battlefield 4

    Peter Grimsdale

    The explosive, actionpacked prequel to EA's megaselling video game, BATTLEFIELD 4.It's 3am and 20 below zero on the ChineseNorth Korean border. Shanghaibased CIA operative Laszlo K...

  • The Other Custers synopsis, comments

    The Other Custers

    Bill Yenne & George Armstrong Custer

    Not one, not two, but three Custer brothers died at the Little Bighornand so did their only sister's husband. Most do not realize that not one, not two, but three Custer brothers d...

  • A Cold Death in Amsterdam synopsis, comments

    A Cold Death in Amsterdam

    Anja de Jager

    The first Lotte Meerman mystery Amsterdambased Lotte Meerman is a cold case detective recovering from the emotional devastation of her previous investigation. She is angry and ment...

  • Wrongful Murder synopsis, comments

    Wrongful Murder

    James Ward

    “Wrongful Murder” is set in the snowy wastes of upstate New York’s Adirondacks. Lieutenant Thomas Shard, head of the Mohawk Country Sheriff’s Department’s criminal section, is an e...

  • The Bone Readers synopsis, comments

    The Bone Readers

    Jacob Ross

    WINNER OF THE JHALAK PRIZE'The Bone Readers is a pageturner, but its insights and language are equally testament to a literary novel of impressive depth and acuity' GuardianSecrets...

  • Suspicion of Murder synopsis, comments

    Suspicion of Murder

    James Ward

    "Suspicion of murder," is set in the snowy wastes of upstate New York's Adirondacks. Lt. Thomas Shard, head of Mohawk County Sheriff Department's criminal section, is an exstate tr...

  • Death in the Garage synopsis, comments

    Death in the Garage

    James Ward

    Leyden's richest man, biggest employer, largest philanthropist, and the sheriff's most important reelection campaign contributor, Stephen Harkness, is found dead in a remote, snow ...

  • The Diary of Samuel Ward synopsis, comments

    The Diary of Samuel Ward

    John W. Cowart

    Samuel Ward, a moderate Puritan, lived from 1577 to 1643. His life spanned from the reign of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, through that of King James. and into the days of Charles...

  • Narrowing the Field synopsis, comments

    Narrowing the Field

    A.P. McCoy

    MURDER, RIVALRY AND REVENGE...'Fast paced and unbeatable.' The LadyEverything seems to be going right for brilliant young jockey Duncan Claymore. A career on the up, a beautiful wi...

  • Why We Write About Ourselves synopsis, comments

    Why We Write About Ourselves

    Meredith Maran

    In the voices of twenty landmark memoiristsincluding New York Times bestselling authors Cheryl Strayed, Sue Monk Kidd, and Pat Conroya definitive text on the craft of autobiographi...

  • The Toll House synopsis, comments

    The Toll House

    Carly Reagon

    Discover the spinetingling ghost story everyone is raving about:'If you like a good ghost story put this chilling thriller to the very top of your reading list' Sarah Pearse autho...

  • Pomegranate synopsis, comments

    Pomegranate

    Helen Elaine Lee

    LONGLISTED FOR THE 2024 ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN FICTION The acclaimed author of The Serpent’s Gift returns with this “deep and beautiful” (Jaqueline Woodson, New Yo...

  • The Ghost That Haunted Itself synopsis, comments

    The Ghost That Haunted Itself

    Jan-Andrew Henderson

    Greyfrair's Cemetery in Edinburgh has a centuries old reputation for being haunted. Its gruesome history includes use as a mass prison, headstone removal, witchcraft, bodysnatching...