Rick Cook is a light fantasy author from the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, best known for his Wizardry series of books. His writing includes many jokes that are hard to appreciate without having a background in systems-level programming, though the books themselves can easily be enjoyed by readers without such a background.

Wizardry series

What "Wiz" Zumwalt could do with computers was magic on Earth. Then, one day the master computer hacker is called to a different world to help fight an evil known as the "Dark League". Suddenly, the "Wiz" finds himself in a place governed by magic - and in league with a red-headed witch who despises him.

1. Wizard's Bane (1989), ISBN 0-671-69803-6 (also available at Baen Free Library)
2. The Wizardry Compiled (1989), ISBN 0-671-69856-7 (also available at Baen Free Library)
3. The Wizardry Cursed (1991), ISBN 0-671-72049-X (available at webscription.net )
4. The Wizardry Consulted (1995), ISBN 0-671-87700-3 (available at webscription.net )
5. The Wizardry Quested (1996), ISBN 0-671-87708-9
6. The Wizardry Capitalized (2000), unpublished and unfinished
   • The Wiz Biz (1997), ISBN 0-671-87846-8 (consists of Wizard's Bane and The Wizardry Compiled together in one volume)
   • Wiz Biz II: Cursed and Consulted (2001), ISBN 0-671-31859-4 (consists of The Wizardry Cursed and The Wizardry Consulted together in one volume)

Cook was in the process of writing book 6 of this series (The Wizardry Capitalized), in spring 2000, when emergency heart surgery, and subsequent medication, interrupted him http://rickcooks.blogspot.com/2007/12/wiz-6-wizard-uncompleted.html. The novel remains uncompleted, and Cook asked for input on his blog site as to whether or not he should publish the unfinished work. In February 2008 he announced that he has decided to present the unfinished work online.http://rickcooks.blogspot.com/2008/02/wizardy-uncompleted-pt-ii.html

Other novels

• Limbo System (1989), ISBN 0-671-69835-4

  When an Earth ship enters a star system that should have been devoid of life, the crew discovers millions of aliens living in small space habitats. And if these strange creatures manage to steal Earth's faster-than-light drive technology, they will make Machiavelli look like a kindergartner.

• Mall Purchase Night (1993), ISBN 0-671-72198-4

  Black Oak Mall was built on an elven power source, the gateway between Earth and Faery, and on the eve before May Day

  May Day

  May Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures....

  
  , security guard Andy Westlin may be the only chance of stopping the worst Faery has to offer from overrunning the Earth. (The title of this book is a play on "Walpurgis Night

  Walpurgis Night

  Walpurgis Night is a traditional spring festival on 30 April or 1 May in large parts of Central and Northern Europe. It is often celebrated with dancing and with bonfires. It is exactly six months from All Hallows' Eve.-Name:...

  
  ". A friend of Cook's says he also considered the title, "A Mall and the Night Visitors.")

External links

• Bibliography on SciFan
  SciFan
  SciFan is an online database for fans of science fiction and fantasy books.The site provides detailed bibliographies, linking books together into series' where appropriate and, in turn, grouping series by universe...
  
  
• Baen Free Library – Wizard's Bane and The Wizardry Compiled available free
• The Wizardry Capitalized book posted online
• Rick Cook's Notebook – Rick Cook's personal blog site