The Original Shannara Series is a fantasy trilogy written by Terry Brooks. The series is set in the Four Lands, which is basically Earth a long time after a nuclear holocaust called the Great Wars. The people have now reverted back to a medieval society and magic has re emerged in the place of science. Shannara is a noble elven family and the descendants are the principal characters of the series (and the other Shannara series), a family that has a legacy of ancient and powerful magic.