Bill Baldwin

Bill (Merl. W, Jr.) Baldwin (born 1935) is an American science fiction writer. He writes militaristic space opera. His main series is about a male protagonist named Wilf Ansor Brim.

He graduated from The Mercersburg Academy and the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to writing space opera, he managed public relations writing for both military and commercial space institutes.

Until recently, he has been the president of the Wooden Boat Association of north Texas. He is also currently the managing editor of the magazine The Brass Bell of the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club. He and his wife, Pat, enjoy life in Dallas, Texas and Bemus Point, New York, under virtual control of two space-alien cats (Felis Horriblis), Bunthorne and Musetta (The Pumpkin Love Muffin).

Published works

The Helmsman Saga

*"The Helmsman" (1985))
*"Galactic Convoy" (1987)
*"The Trophy" (1990)
*"The Mercenaries" (1991)
*"The Defenders" (1992)
*"The Siege" (1994)
*"The Defiance" (1996)

This series began in 1985 but was later reprinted (in "Director's Cut Special Editions") by Timberwolf Press.

"The Turning Tide" is a sequel to "The Defiance" and is scheduled to be released in 2008.

Several books of the original Helmsman saga, "The Siege", "The Defenders" and "The Defiance" in particular, appear to reproduce (sometimes word for word, sometimes paraphrasing) large sections of a war autobiography titled "The Big Show" (written by Pierre Clostermann, published 1948, translated into English by Oliver Berthoud). "The Defenders" pages 79-83 (Warner Books paperback, 1992) resemble in form, chronological order and paraphrase almost the complete chapter titled "Radar At Dawn" from "The Big Show". More examples exist for anyone willing to spend the time to search the series.

Many similarities to other science fiction sources exist as well. For example, "Galactic Convoy" mentions a planet named Throon (identical to the capital world in the Star Kings books). Also, an attack against a space fort at the end of "The Mercenaries" contains several allusions to the attack on the Death Star.

Other Works

*"Camby's Legion" (1995)
*"The Enigma Strategy" (2006)

References

External links

* [http://www.billbaldwin.us/ Home page]
* [http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/bill-baldwin/ Biography]