Illinois Authors

University of Nebraska Press Lincoln : 1983

An Ambush of Shadows is the fifth book in the classic series of postapocalyptic novels about the people of Pelbar. Despite the tentative peace established in the eleven hundred years since the destruction of the United States, the Tantal tribe remains ready for battle. After their disastrous defeat by the Pelbar tribes at Northwall, the slaveholding Tantal have kept their distance. But since the Pelbar forces began moving northward to colonize the shores of the Bitter Sea, the Tantal forces have been on the attack.Then one day, a roving tribe of Tantal warriors kidnaps a young girl during a raid on Pelbar explorers. The child is Raydi, daughter of Stel Westrun, Pelbar master craftsman, reinventor of the steamboat, and son of the leader of the Pelbar city-state Pelbarigan. Stel vows to reclaim his daughter and seek revenge, becoming the single-minded foe of all things Tantal.

University of Nebraska Press Lincoln : 2005

One thousand years after a devastating and chaotic series of nuclear exchanges, all that is left of the United States of America are scattered, warring tribes and small city-states. One of the latter is Pelbar—proud, civilized, and intolerant of change and new ideas. Rebels and troublemakers are sentenced to a year of exile at the massive midwestern fortress of Northwall, defending Pelbar against the fierce Shumai and Sentani tribes. Restless and brilliant Jestak is a visionary who has seen and learned too much in his distant travels to be content with life in Pelbarigan. During his exile at Northwall, he makes contact with Pelbar’s age-old enemies and risks all to rescue his beloved Tia from nomads armed with long-lost weapons from before the atomic holocaust. Jestak’s daring quest for love brings profound changes to his world.The Breaking of Northwall is the first in a series of seven classic postapocalyptic novels about the Pelbar people. Williams’s fascinating and uniquely optimistic vision of an America long after a nuclear war has enthralled readers for decades.

Ballantine New York : 1981

More than one thousand years in the future, the conservative borders of Pelbar society continue to crumble as the people of Pelbar conduct trade, form friendships, and intermarry with members of the tribes now settled peacefully around the citadel of Northwall. Not all agree with the changes, however, and long instead for the old times of conflict and rigid order. Igniting the tension is the discovery of a mysterious subterranean shelter, where the descendants of survivors of the long-ago nuclear war live. A young woman from the shelter and the shocking revelations she brings precipitate a crisis that will profoundly affect the futures of plainsmen and citadelfolk alike.The Dome in the Forest is the third volume and one of the most exciting tales in the Pelbar Cycle, a classic series of seven postapocalyptic novels about the people of Pelbar.

University of Nebraska Press Lincoln : 2005

One thousand years after “the time of fire,” a gentle craftsman and flute player forsakes both his true love and birthright to seek the fabled Shining Sea. Stel, born of proud but rigid Pelbar culture, embarks on an epic quest across an America dramatically changed by a long-ago nuclear war. Following him is his beloved wife, Ahroe, equally determined to find Stel, avoid disgrace, and share her own precious secret.The Ends of the Circle is the second novel in the highly praised Pelbar Cycle, a classic series of postapocalyptic novels about the people of the Pelbar. Imaginative and reflective, this rousing tale introduces Stel—engineer and poet, adventurer and musician—one of the most memorable characters in modern postapocalyptic fiction.

University of Nebraska Press Lincoln : 1982

Eleven hundred years after the apocalyptic destruction of the United States of America, peace between the remaining warring tribes has finally been achieved. Despite this peace, the Pelbar stronghold Threerivers retains its secretive and reclusive ways, keeping its distance from the other remaining tribes and guarding against change. A strict matriarchy, Threerivers remains the most conservative Pelbar community under the unquestioned and unyielding rule of its leader, Udge.Life in Threerivers continues without change until two young twin brothers, Brudoer and Gamwyn, accidentally initiate events that threaten the established order. The resulting chain of consequences sends Gamwyn on a quest to the far reaches of this postapocalyptic world. Within Threerivers, Brudoer’s imprisonment threatens the long-established matriarchal rule of the Pelbar stronghold.The Fall of the Shell is the fourth book in the classic series of postapocalyptic novels about the people of Pelbar

Ballantine New York : 1989

Umber, a Gorbudoc scientist, breaks his people's code of honor by choosing enslavement rather than death, but behind what looks like selfish motivation on his part is a plan to slave Landsdrum's people.

Bison Books 2006

Twenty years after the great battle at Northwall, the disparate warring tribes are moving toward a peaceful unity for the first time since before the Time of the Fire. With the comfort of peace, the running bands of nomadic Shumai Axemen are settling down and forgoing their traditional ways. So Tor, last of the great Shumai Axemen, takes his nephew Tristal on a last run to teach the boy the Way of the Axeman.But Tristal will have to survive deadly encounters, endure a seductive captivity, and even suffer enslavement before he learns that there is more to the Axeman's skill than just a sound arm and a handy opponent.The Song of the Axe is the sixth book in the classic series of postapocalyptic novels about the people of Pelbar. Paul O. Williams's fascinating and optimistic vision of an America long after a series of cataclysmic events has enthralled readers for decades.

University of Nebraska Press Lincoln : 2006

After eleven hundred years of struggle, the warring tribes that survived the apocalyptic destruction of the United States have finally united, forming the peaceful Heart River Federation. But three eastern cities remain outside the federation. Led by Innanigani forces, these last rogue tribes seek western victories and rich lands from the Heart River Federation. In their desire for land, the tribes unleash yet another war. Yet this war is different, for Innanigan is the last renegade state in North America. If a just peace can be negotiated, the continent might be united again for the first time in a millennium. But if the conflict continues, civilization might be lost forever.The Sword of Forbearance is the seventh and final book in the classic series of postapocalyptic novels about the people of Pelbar. Paul O. Williams's fascinating and optimistic vision of an America long after a series of cataclysmic events has enthralled readers for decades.

The Earnshaw Press 2007