Terry Goodkind

Terry Goodkind was an American author, born in 1948, who passed away in 2020. He is primarily recognized for his epic fantasy series, The Sword of Truth, which achieved significant international success, selling millions of copies and being translated into numerous languages. This series was also adapted into a television show titled Legend of the Seeker. Goodkind also penned the contemporary suspense novel The Law of Nines, which contained connections to his fantasy world.

Despite initial disinterest in writing due to dyslexia, Goodkind pursued a writing career after working in various other fields, including cabinet making, violin building, and art. His first novel, Wizard's First Rule, was published in 1993 and was a significant commercial success. Goodkind's works often incorporated philosophical themes, particularly those inspired by Ayn Rand's Objectivism, which he integrated into his narratives and characters. This philosophical leaning sometimes led to controversy. He continued to publish numerous novels throughout his career, with many appearing on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Terry Goodkind's literary output is largely defined by his epic fantasy series, The Sword of Truth. He approached his writing with the belief that the fantasy genre provided an effective vehicle for exploring profound philosophical and human themes, rather than being confined to traditional fantasy tropes. Goodkind stated that his characters, such as Richard and Kahlan, were original creations intended to embody admirable qualities. A significant influence on his work was Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy. This influence is evident in the characters, plots, and themes of his books, with some novels, like Faith of the Fallen, explicitly echoing Objectivist principles and drawing parallels to Rand's novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. These philosophical elements sometimes sparked debate among his readership.

Goodkind's writing career began in earnest in 1993 with Wizard's First Rule, a novel that garnered significant attention and a substantial advance. He went on to publish a total of 17 novels and one novella. The majority of his books achieved bestseller status, with several, including Chainfire, Phantom, and Confessor, debuting high on The New York Times Best Seller list. Beyond The Sword of Truth, he authored the standalone novel The Law of Nines, which shared thematic and narrative links with his fantasy world. Goodkind also explored other series and standalone novels, demonstrating a consistent presence on bestseller lists throughout his career. His work was also adapted into the television series Legend of the Seeker, which aired for two seasons.

Born in 1948, Terry Goodkind grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. His early academic pursuits were hindered by dyslexia, which initially discouraged him from pursuing writing. Before establishing himself as an author, Goodkind engaged in a variety of professions. He worked as a cabinet maker and a builder of violins. Additionally, he was a marine and wildlife artist, finding success in selling his paintings through galleries. This diverse background provided him with a unique perspective that he later brought to his literary endeavors.

“To the people in the United States Intelligence Community, who, for decades, have valiantly fought to preserve life and liberty, while being ridiculed, condemned, demonized, and shackled by the jackals of evil.”