James Brian Jacques ( , as in `` Jakes '' ; 15 June 1939 -- 5 February 2011 ) was an English writer best known for his `` Redwall '' series of novels and `` Castaways of the Flying Dutchman '' series .
James Brian Jacques ( pronounced `` Jakes '' ) ( 15 June 1939 - 5 February 2011 ) was an English author . He is best known for his `` Redwall '' series of books , as well as the `` Tribes of Redwall '' and `` Castaways of the Flying Dutchman '' series .