Ed Nelson Books In Order

Publication Order of Cast in Time Books

Publication Order of The Richard Jackson Saga Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Ed Nelson
Ed Nelson has always wanted to become an author. He got his very first rejection letter in about 1965, and wishes that he’d saved it. For so many years the only writing that he did was technical in nature while pesky things like three kids, nine grandkids, and three great-grandkids came along. Ed’s technical writing was in the field of quality in several different journals.

Then something wonderful happened. He lost his job and was put out of work for nearly eight months. In order to keep from going crazy he wrote. He posted his stories on this online site, and lo and behold people were reading them and said some nice things about them. Fast forward almost eight years and he’s writing for the fun of it while being retired.

Much of what can be found in his stories is based on his life experiences. Give or take a lie or two here and there. The one fortunate thing in his career is that he got to travel around the whole world and has actually been to the locations he writes about.

During his younger days spelunking, hot air ballooning, white water rafting, skydiving, target shooting, and other goofy stuff were on the agenda. Now days the big adventure is riding his mower around his yard.

He has collected stamps, was lowly rated by the US Chess federation, and drove in road rallies. He built a dueling pistol and a Kentucky long rifle. He’s also a licensed HAM radio operator.

His true passion is reading. While trapped in a hotel room he would read the phone book. The TV would not even get turned on. He has averaged 200 books a year for the past sixty years. He knew that those long flights would be good for something.

Ed was born during an air raid in England during the Second World War. It’s probably the most interesting thing that he has ever done in his life. His mom never forgave him.

“The Beginning” is the first novel in the “Richard Jackson” series and was released in 2019. Bull riding in the rodeo, a western movie, bank robbery, rustlers, among some other events, happen while young Rick is going on a cross-country trip, hitchhiking from a small town in Ohio all the way to California. This alternate history is of what should have been rather than what has been.

With humor and wit, and without any teenage angst, we follow this young man’s coming of age in the late 1950s. Beginning during the summer before his freshman year, it follows him through his whole high school life, where he learns golf’s his game.

He finds fortune and fame as an inventor and gains wealth in Hollywood while searching for a girlfriend. Fame and wealth prove to be far easier than girls do.

The films, books, and songs of the 50s and 60s are nostalgic to some. The adventure and action are thrill to others. All of the readers are sure to enjoy the realistic flow of life, give or take a lie or two. Follow Rick from the excitement of his summer to the dullness of high school life as he proves that school is not always dull.

“School Days” is the second novel in the “Richard Jackson” series and was released in 2019. This novel shows Rick in the first semester of ninth grade. Using all the lessons that he learned on the road Rick makes his serious beginning on being an excellent student. He still must navigate all of the pitfalls of the Homecoming Dance, Sadie Hawkins day and some other dangers he encounters with the fair sex.

These thoughts he has about being a football star don’t go anywhere, however finds that chasing a little white ball around a field can actually be fun, and that being a hero isn’t all that it is cracked up to be.

For the young this is a coming of age adventure, for those that lived it a trip down memory lane, and for those with a search engine Easter Eggs galore.

“Hollywood” is the third novel in the “Richard Jackson” series and was released in 2019. Rick makes his debut in the movies. From being a supporting actor to a leading role this young man finds that being a movie star is actual work.

His invention of the adjustable faucet and electric hairdryer bring him money. The movies though bring him fame. Finding him a woman that is not some gold digger or hanger on proves rather difficult. It takes effort like being nice to them and actually listening to what they have to say as he gets to know the young lady.

“In the Movies” is the fourth novel in the “Richard Jackson” series and was released in 2019. Rick is firmly in the movies. We see him grow in his capabilities both in and out of the movies.

Rick finds that fame might not be all that it is cracked up to be. Finding girls is not all that hard, between an Old Flame, Boss’s Daughter, and a Bad Girl from Hollywood he’s got his hands full. Joined by his family California they buy this mansion with some hidden secrets.

The adventure continues ranging from a stampede to this group of bank robbers running right into the Square of Death.

“Baron” is the first novel in the “Cast in Time” series and was released in 2023. This Engineer finds himself in this alternate reality, 715 AD in Cornwall. He wakes up in a young Baron’s body.

A retired Lieutenant General, former head of the Army Corp of Engineers, lies dying while at the age of 92. Leading a full life, he’s a decorated veteran of Korea, World War II, and Vietnam.

The man’s love of Engineering has him taking university courses for his whole life. Once his health starts faltering, and he is no longer able to continue his education, MIT then awards him this honorary PhD in Professional Studenting.

He lies dying, after a long illness. His final thought is “What a waste of such fantastic knowledge”. While fading to black, that’s when the fun starts. He’s to build this modern civilization without even getting burned as a witch.