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BattleTech Game Systems => General BattleTech Discussion => Topic started by: Lysenko on 07 February 2012, 22:22:28

Title: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Lysenko on 07 February 2012, 22:22:28
I just wanted to pass along the news that Ardath Mayhar, author of The Sword and Dagger, died last Wednesday (1 FEB 2012). She was 81. Her biggest contribution to the fiction and universe was the concept of the "command circuit." She told me once that there had to be a way to send messages without dealing with Comstar. Thus, the Davion 'pony express in space' was created. :)

(http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/04/53/62/1227918/3/628x471.jpg)


Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine :
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
In memoria æterna erit iustus,
ab auditione mala non timebit.

Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Dave Talley on 07 February 2012, 22:59:40
also wrote a Fuzzy book
:-)

great author
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Lysenko on 07 February 2012, 23:02:11
That she did. She also wrote westerns, frontier stories, and fanatsy!

She was always packing heat, too. The other pistol she usually had in her purse was a long-barreled .22 revolver. :)
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Hersh67 on 07 February 2012, 23:03:33
Sigh.  You know this sort of thing will happen to all, the great and small, good and wicked, it just isn't pleasant when it happens.  Ms Mayhar, I only know you by the one book you wrote for BattleTech, but it was a very enjoyable one.  My thanks.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Hersh67 on 07 February 2012, 23:04:19
That she did. She also wrote westerns, frontier stories, and fanatsy!

She was always packing heat, too. The other pistol she usually had in her purse was a long-barreled .22 revolver. :)

Looks like a Walther in that picture.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Vallend on 07 February 2012, 23:06:32
I always wanted to get a copy of her novel "The Sword and Dagger" to read and have in my collection, but never found one for the right price. I did see a copy in a Battletech book collection on a popular bidding site and Had the winning bid till the last 20 seconds when someone snuck in on me and took it away. Every time I wander into one of those used book stores I always check for a copy.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Taron Storm on 07 February 2012, 23:07:03
Hers was the first Battletech novel I ever read.  That novel started me playing a game for the last 23 years.  Thank you Ms Mayhar.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: FedSunsBorn on 07 February 2012, 23:12:17
Rest in peace, Mrs. Mayhar, pioneer to so many things that have brought fun and joy to those on these Btech Boards.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: TS_Hawk on 07 February 2012, 23:33:01
Sadly I haven't read her novel yet.  but no matter who it is that has passed away it is always sad.  RIP young lady your legacy lives on in the books you have written and in your family.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: SteelRaven on 07 February 2012, 23:36:00
That is great pic to remember her by O0
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: David CGB on 07 February 2012, 23:46:58
wonder if the novel will come out on e-book
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Welshman on 07 February 2012, 23:53:25
Thank you for the posting. She had a very engaging writing style that I still fondly remember. I will have to dig up my copy and reread it to honor her memory.

Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Atlas3060 on 07 February 2012, 23:56:50
Battlecorps had an interview with her at one point so I'll have to find that and reread it in honor of her as well.

Set Jump coordinates to the unknown, Jump. Goodbye ma'am.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Stormlion1 on 08 February 2012, 00:06:41
The one novel I don't own, maybe TPTB should get a limited run made up in her honor and put it out.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: worktroll on 08 February 2012, 00:24:50
Thoughts for her family and friends. And much appreciation for her role in setting up a rip-roaring universe we still love today.

W.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: blackjack on 08 February 2012, 01:16:01
A truly sad day...... She will be missed.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Lorcan Nagle on 08 February 2012, 02:32:04
I can't say I especially enjoyed The Sword and the Dagger, but her contribution to BattleTech can't be ignored.  Every death is a tragedy, no matter who they are.  RIP.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Medron Pryde on 08 February 2012, 02:46:32
I also only knew here for the one book.

I shall miss her and I hope she is smiling down on us now.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Frabby on 08 February 2012, 04:01:39
I also knew her for only "that one BT book" - incidentially, the first BT book I ever read. Took me all of... 3 hours I think to read it back to back, and I was hooked and grabbed the next BT book (Thunder Rift) that day.

For all those who haven't read it, there's a detailed plot synopsis over at Sarna.net: The Sword and the Dagger (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/The_Sword_and_the_Dagger)

The article also covers her brief essay about "Writing BattleTech: The Sword and the Dagger". From what she said there, it seems the book was written under a special contract different from all other BT book authors and that contract is the reason why FASA (or FanPro, or now Topps/IMR/CGL) could never re-publish it in English.

Rest in Peace, Ardath Mayhar.

Edit: Lysenko, where did you get that picture from?
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: foxbat on 08 February 2012, 07:19:45
The Sword and the Dagger was my favorite among the 6 BT novels that were translated in French, and that were the first BT fiction I ever read and hooked me to the BT Universe. My condolences to her family, and ùmy thanks for such great moments. May her rest in peace.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Martius on 08 February 2012, 09:24:39
I enjoyed  The Sword and the Dagger.

Wish you the best wherever you are now, Ardath Mayhar.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: elizibar on 08 February 2012, 09:27:00
Man, I guess I should go find a copy of Sword and the Dagger to read.  It's one of the many books I still haven't read. :(
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Lysenko on 08 February 2012, 10:57:23
@Frabby: The pic came from an article last year on mysantonio.com about finding more shuttle debris at Lake Nacogdoches last year (Nacogdoches is near Chireno where she was from). She's just mentioned in the pic roll. that pic is exactly what she looked like when I first met in 1995 when I went into her bookstore "The View From Orbit."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Drought-uncoversfuel-tank-from-shuttle-1699327.php#photo-1227918 (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Drought-uncoversfuel-tank-from-shuttle-1699327.php#photo-1227918)

I was looking for a copy of "The Sword and the Dagger" and didn't know I was asking the author if they had any BT novels! /that conversion began a friendship with a wonderful lady. I just taled to her about 2 weeks before she died, and while she was "feeling poorly," I was firmly convinced that she'd outlive me. She had grit. :)

Edit: oh, and the pic is #89 of 106 on the pic roll.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: rafale56 on 08 February 2012, 11:49:22
I, too, get hooked into Battletech universe thanks to Ardath Mayhar and that marvelous novel that was Sword and Dagger....

RIP and many thanks for all :(
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Vallend on 08 February 2012, 11:56:41
Lysenko it must of been a thrill for you to meet her and get to know her. May she RIP.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: God and Davion on 08 February 2012, 13:20:57
Toughts and prayers!
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Tizona on 08 February 2012, 15:10:54
I read The Sword and the Dagger for the first time five years ago. After almost 20 years since the Warrior trilogy introduced me to Battletech, it was as being face to face with a universe reborn. It was as intense as that first time.

Thank you, Mrs. Mayhar.

R.I.P.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: trboturtle on 08 February 2012, 16:55:29
New Battletech state Blog about her passing,,,, :'(

Craig
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Rorke on 08 February 2012, 17:01:55
That is great pic to remember her by O0

Indeed it is and i'm sorry to hear the news.

I managed to find a copy of the book a few years ago, and while rough in places
i enjoyed it.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: va_wanderer on 08 February 2012, 18:00:47
That novel, along with the Grey Death books was my intro to Battletech fiction.

It's a sign about how long you've been around when the writers you loved reading pass away in their old age. First McCaffrey, now this.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Brainburn on 08 February 2012, 18:59:43
Wow, was reading it again when passed. I started reading the books again in chronological order.
How unfortunate..

Brainburn
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: TS_Hawk on 08 February 2012, 21:44:32
Well like I said I never read this book.  And when I went looking for it, the price at certain sites has really pushed it up after her passing. I will have to wait but I will get this book and read it.  But I will look for some of her other work too.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Hersh67 on 08 February 2012, 21:47:50
Sword & Dagger is pretty close to the Holy Grail of BT books.  I was fortunate enough to have a friend who had it lend it to me.  Actually finding a copy is pretty darn lucky...
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Wrangler on 08 February 2012, 21:50:52
I received copy of Ms. Mayhar's book last year and hadn't had the time to read it.  It sad to hear her die....I'll try make time now to read it.   I hope her journey elsewhere will be more rewarding.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Thantos13 on 08 February 2012, 22:04:16
Interestingly enough, hers was the last dead tree BT book I bought (I own the whole collection now). Sorry to her of her passing.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: avon1985 on 12 February 2012, 22:06:39
Thanks for the post.  Hers was the first BT novel I read.  Reread it again just last year.  The Victor was my favorite mech for a long time because of her.  Rest in peace.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Doug Glendower on 18 February 2012, 20:00:44
I can't say I enjoyed Sword and Dagger, but not because of the writing. It's a bit like Phantom Menace, lots of good pieces, which kinda fit together awkwardly. Still, some great images in the book, like the Davion-Liao Aerospace fight at the beginning, the command circuit, and the Davion training Gauntlets. Kinda wish she'd gotten a second crack at the series.

Thanks for the words, Ardath, we'll try to keep 'em alive for you.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Top Sergeant on 19 February 2012, 08:22:47
That is great pic to remember her by O0

Agreed!
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Hawkeye Jim on 19 February 2012, 11:32:11
I think "Sword and Dagger" was the first BT book I read as well. Must have been a pretty good one to have generated such an interest in more. I see what you mean about the price. Ye Gods! Try an interlibrary loan to get one. Those are usually free.
Title: Re: Ardath Mayhar (1930-2012)
Post by: Banzai on 20 February 2012, 16:34:41
I am a long time dying,
but my heart, cross-hatched with scars,
has never flinched from blows.

-From "Requium for the Living" by Ardath Mayhar.

A fitting elegy for a self-proclaimed Mean Little Old Lady at Work.

I always enjoyed her poetry. Rest in peace, dear lady.  You earned it.