Goodbye, Jim Baen (June 30, 2006)

[Bandit LOAF]

Publisher Jim Baen, a true giant in the literary science fiction field, passed away on Thursday. He was 62. The company he started, Baen Books, has been responsible for publishing the best of the best of modern science fiction (including David Weber's Honor Harrington series) and for significantly advancing the concept of unencrypted electronic publishing. Wing Commander fans know him best, however, for having published seven Wing Commander novels between 1992 and 1999. Freedom Flight, End Run, Fleet Action, Heart of the Tiger, The Price of Freedom, Action Stations and False Colors form the detailed core of what Wing Commander fans consider their own universe today. Rest in peace, Mr. Baen. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends - including the online community that he made his home. He made an important part of Wing Commander possible; he will be missed. Writer David Drake has posted a touching obituary for his friend at his web site.

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Original update published on June 30, 2006

 

[LeHah]

How completely sobering. The moment I read this, all I had to do was turn around and see that double-stacked row of Wing Commander books (and a copy of 1945) staring straight at me.

He did all of us WC fans a lot of good and I owe him a lot for all the hours of entertainment I've gotten from his books.

 

[Lt.Death100]

Unfortunately I've never read his WC novels. Is there any place I can get them?

 

[Worf]

Jim Baen has in general done a lot for publishing - a number of authors found their start with Baen Books.

He's done it again with the Baen Free Library, where people could *gasp* download unprotected electronic books for free in practically any usable format. This was the "hook" he used for the paid service where one could get parts of upcoming books again unprotected.

His passing will be missed - he's one of the few publishers willing to take risks.

 

[CataclysmX]

I have all the books as well, thanks mr Baen for being a great publisher. RIP.

Off topic note: Check the prices and the level of inflation over the years, oy!

 

[ChrisReid]

Unfortunately I've never read his WC novels. Is there any place I can get them?

They're pretty easy to find wherever you buy books. Amazon and Barnes and Noble stock them, Half.com and eBay have lots and they are in high circulation at used book stores.

 

[Lt.Death100]

They're pretty easy to find wherever you buy books. Amazon and Barnes and Noble stock them, Half.com and eBay have lots and they are in high circulation at used book stores.

That's strange cause the last time I checked B&N I couldn't find them. Guess I'll just check back there in case they were sold out.

 

[ChrisReid]

Well, individual stores probably aren't getting many new copies, but the website lists a couple, and they're only a couple dollars each at all the other places I listed.

 

[maniac89]

Unfortunately I've never read his WC novels. Is there any place I can get them?

I got End Run off eBay awhiles back... you should check there for other WC books, as Chris mentioned.

tHe mAnIaC