Picture a rugged American storyteller who swapped forest trails for interstellar adventures—meet John Dalmas! Born John Robert Jones, this science fiction maestro spun vivid tales of mercenaries, barbarians, and alien worlds, blending his ecologist’s eye with a paratrooper’s grit. From his breakout novel The Yngling to the philosophical depths of The Regiment, Dalmas captivated readers with worlds that felt as real as the mountains he once roamed.
His life was as colorful as his stories: a WWII paratrooper, smokejumper, and forestry researcher who turned to writing after a spark of inspiration in 1968. With 27 novels and a knack for weaving Eastern philosophies into military sci-fi, Dalmas left an indelible mark until his passing in 2017 at 90.
The Making of John Dalmas
Born on December 3, 1926, in Minnesota, John Robert Jones grew up with a love for the outdoors, shaping his path as a forester. After serving as a parachute infantryman in WWII, he worked as a logger, merchant seaman, and smokejumper, parachuting to fight forest fires. At Michigan State University, he studied forestry but sneaked in creative writing courses, igniting a passion for storytelling. A poorly written novel, Brak the Barbarian, spurred him to try his hand at sci-fi, leading to his first sale, The Yngling, to Analog in 1969.
His career as a research ecologist for the U.S. Forest Service, where he published over 20 papers on high-elevation forests, gave him a unique lens. This expertise seeped into his fiction, crafting alien landscapes with scientific authenticity that grounded his fantastical narratives.
John Dalmas’s Unforgettable Stories
Dalmas’s bibliography is a treasure trove of military sci-fi, space opera, and fantasy, often laced with philosophical undertones. His debut, The Yngling (1969), follows Nils Jarnhann, a post-apocalyptic hero with paranormal powers, navigating a barbarian Europe. The series, including Homecoming and The Yngling in Yamato, blends Norse mythology with psi abilities, earning praise for its enduring adventure.
The Regiment series, starting with The Regiment (1987), is a fan favorite, chronicling mercenaries from the desert planet Tyss. Trained by the T’swa, these warriors embody a philosophy called T’sel, reflecting Dalmas’s interest in martial arts and Eastern thought. The series, including The White Regiment and The Regiment’s War, explores duty and metaphysics in gritty colonial wars. The Lion of Farside (1995) shifts gears to fantasy, where farmer Curtis Macurdy chases his kidnapped wife into a magical realm, showcasing Dalmas’s versatility. The Second Coming (2004) imagines God reincarnated as a Black Canadian engineer, blending humor with spiritual depth.
His style—vivid, grounded, and layered with irony—transforms space-opera tropes into thoughtful narratives. Critics noted his ability to craft relatable “grunts” over flashy officers, making his stories resonate with readers who craved authenticity.
Why John Dalmas Matters
John Dalmas brought a forester’s precision and a soldier’s heart to science fiction, creating worlds where ecology and ethics intertwined. His influence shines in the military sci-fi subgenre, inspiring authors to blend philosophy with action. Fans cherished his T’swa culture and Nils Jarnhann’s enlightened heroism, which offered a hopeful vision of human potential. Though not a household name, his 27 novels and convention appearances endeared him to a loyal following, cementing his legacy as a storyteller who made the cosmos feel like home.
His ecological insights also presciently highlighted humanity’s relationship with alien environments, a theme that resonates in today’s eco-conscious sci-fi. Dalmas’s work reminds us that even in distant galaxies, the human spirit—and a good story—endures.
- Born: December 3, 1926, Minnesota
- Died: June 15, 2017, Spokane, Washington
- Key Works: The Yngling, The Regiment, The Lion of Farside, The Second Coming
- Fun Fact: He attended over 100 sci-fi conventions, often charming fans with his wit.
Snag The Regiment or The Yngling and dive into John Dalmas’s thrilling sci-fi universe—your next adventure awaits!