Origins of the Wheel of Time: The Legends and Mythologies That Inspired Robert Jordan

This book does not contain the information as advertised in the write up on the jacket of the book. Not even remotely.

Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed. The hardcover version costs quite a bit, and since I live in South America, it ends up costing even more. I expected, at least, that the hardcover would have what is advertised as the cover, but the book itself is a black hardcover with a paper cover as the front and back ends. Will still read, but a bit disappointed...

I've been reading The Wheel of Time since I was fifteen, always enjoying some new discovery or rediscovery of something Robert Jordan had hidden over decades of re-reads. So, I didn't expect to learn much from this new book beyond a bit of history and novelty. Instead, I walked away feeling that Michael Livingston had given us fans a guide to gaining a deeper understanding of who Robert Jordan was and how he wove our own cultures and mythologies into the books. I felt the pull of wanting to examine the books again, so kudos to Livingston for that!Plus, we now know the identify of Nakomi, but are left with even more to unravel with that reveal! That's the best kind of Wheel of Time mystery, one that never ends, which reminds me of Jordan's message to his fans:"One thing—don't think you've reached bottom in your digging. I tried to make the books fairly simple on the surface, and quite complex underneath. You've dug up a number of points that I thought I had buried well enough that they wouldn't come to light for some time yet (don't expect me to say which ones), and you've also dug up one or two that I never buried in the first place (no hints there, either). Jordan's Law, I think, can better be stated along these lines: "Ah, you think you know how the game goes now? Very good, gentlemen. What say we increase the bets just to make it interesting?"– 1993, Letter to Tom McCormickLivingston followed in Jordan's footsteps by giving fans a worthwhile read, but with so many more layers than that for those willing to dig.

For those who have been drawn into the world created by Robert Jordan, this book delves into the many literary and mythological sources that Jordan drew upon. It also explains how his experiences in Vietnam were influential. This is a well written and enjoyable read. For those who are discovering the Wheel of Time through Amazon Prime's excellent adaptation, this book provides an entry point into what is a very complex world.

If you are an obsessive fan, you'll love this book. But even casual fans will enjoy the history and autobiography that starts the book.