Paul O. Williams (1935–2009)
Author of The Breaking of Northwall
About the Author
Paul O. Williams is a professor emeritus of English at Principia College.
Disambiguation Notice:
Same person wrote the fantasy and the poetry.
Image credit: Paul O. Williams
Series
Works by Paul O. Williams
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Williams, Paul Osborne
- Birthdate
- 1935-01-17
- Date of death
- 2009-06-02
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Chatham, New Jersey, USA
- Place of death
- Elsah, Illinois, USA
- Places of residence
- Elsah, Illinois, USA
- Occupations
- professor emeritus (English|Principia College in Elsah|Illinois)
- Organizations
- Haiku Society of America (president, 1999)
Tanka Society of America (vice president, 2000)
Principia College - Awards and honors
- John W. Campbell Award (1983)
- Disambiguation notice
- Same person wrote the fantasy and the poetry.
Members
Reviews
Lists
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 17
- Members
- 1,790
- Popularity
- #14,378
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 39
- ISBNs
- 58
- Languages
- 2
- Favorited
- 5
Paul O. Williams is best known for his Haiku, essays in the Christian Science Monitor, and one seven-book series of post-apocalyptic science fiction. The Breaking of Northwall, the first volume of the Pelbar Cycle, is set a thousand years after a nuclear disaster. North America is now inhabited by tribes that do not share a common language. Some are village dwellers, while others are nomadic horsemen. Slavery and warfare are routine. The bow and arrow are the latest in weaponry. We follow Jestak, a young man exiled from his peaceful metalworking village of Pelbar. His travels teach him skills from multiple cultures. He becomes a change agent wherever he goes. Jestak is a likable hero, and the many cultures he visits are well-differentiated. The North American economy stretches credulity. We seem to have metalworking without mining, for example. I am not sure what accounts for the ability of horses to survive and thrive after the nukes. But these are quibbles. The Breaking of Northwall is an engrossing adventure with no pretensions as future history. 4 stars.… (more)