New Website for Jerry Pournelle

There's a new website to promote the works of the late SF author, Jerry Pournelle. I've been a fan of his stories since reading his first works (published under the pen name, Wade Curtis) in Analog many years ago. His collaborations with Larrry Niven, especially Lucifer's Hammer and Footfall, were best sellers and are rightly regarded as classic of the field. He was also a prominent computer journalist whose monthly column in Byte was essential reading for many years.

This review of one of his first novels, A Spaceship for the King, published shortly after his death, contains a summary and appreciation of his career. This almost exactly mirrors what I wrote about him on learning the news of his death.

Pournelle was a man of strong political beliefs. While he did not hew to any specific political doctrine, other than his own, his views often skewed far right of center. He was fierce in defending his ideas and in attacking critics, and developed a reputation as a curmudgeon on electronic media even before the Internet was as widespread and all-encompassing as it is now. Because of his politics, he was a polarizing figure within the science fiction community, drawing strong reactions from many of his peers. For myself, while I often strongly disagreed with his opinions and conclusions, I always learned something from his vigorous defense of his ideas.

The new web site is relatively sparse in content right now, but does contain links to several of his best known works, including the last novel in his popular Jannissairies series, which will be published in June.

The new site includes rare family images, never-before-told stories, over 50 years of Science Fiction Conventions, exclusive content and essays. The new site is titled Jerry Pournelle’s Chaos Manor for Science Fiction & Fact and will offer critical review of the author’s politics, science, space exploration, philosophy and activism.

In support of this new venue, there is also a new Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/JerryPournelleChaosManor.

Designed to stimulate discussion and make Dr. Pournelle’s writings relevant for 2020, the Facebook Group will include surveys, controversial quotes, and guided conversations. It is planned to be controversial.

I'll be keeping an eye on the site and the Facebook page for updates.