Jack Campbell
Jack Campbell is the pen name of John G. Hemry, a retired United States Navy officer who writes military science fiction and science fantasy. Best known for the Lost Fleet series, Campbell brings authenticity to his space fleet operations drawn from his time at sea. Campbell’s writing spans multiple series including military space opera, science fantasy, and works of political intrigue.
The Lost Fleet series, Campbell’s most famous work, follows Captain John Geary who wakes from a century of suspended animation to find himself the senior surviving officer after a disastrous defeat, forced to lead Alliance fleet survivors home through enemy territory. The series is praised for its realistic portrayal of fleet operations, the psychological challenges of command, and the slow development of characters and relationships over multiple novels.
Biography
John G. Hemry served in the United States Navy for twenty years, retiring with the rank of Commander. His naval experience working in destroyer operations and naval intelligence gave him first-hand knowledge of fleet tactics, ship operations, and the realities of military command that has informed the realism of his fiction writing.
Campbell began writing in the late 1990s and published his first Lost Fleet novel in 2006. Since then he has written over twenty novels across multiple series, developing a reputation for detailed research, careful world-building, and realistic military operations in space settings. He lives in Maryland with his wife, fellow Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America President SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association) member SFWA.
Writing Style
Campbell’s military science fiction is known for its detailed attention to realistic naval operations translated to space, from tactics to communication to the psychological burdens of command. The series approach character development gradually, with arcs spanning multiple novels and relationships that evolve over time.
For the Pillars of Reality series, Campbell blends science fiction and fantasy elements, exploring themes of oppression, knowledge, and revolution. His writing combines action sequences with political intrigue and philosophical questions about freedom and authority.
Major Series
Pillars of Reality Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| The Dragons of Dorcastle | 2014 | Buy |
| The Hidden Masters of Marandur | 2015 | Buy |
| The Assassins of Altis | 2015 | Buy |
| The Pirates of Pacta Servanda | 2016 | Buy |
| The Servants of the Storm | 2016 | Buy |
| The Wrath of the Great Guilds | 2016 | Buy |