A collection of Robert E. Howard's Cthulhu Fiction featuring stories about Howard's Cthulhu Mythos scholar John Kirowan along with classic Howard characters Bran Mak Morn and Kull the Conqueror, and others.
The book offers a glimpse into the early writing style and personality of Robert E. Howard, showcasing his diverse interests in poetry, boxing, and folk songs. Through intimate letters, readers witness Howard's development as a writer, crafting poems, dramas, and parodies while expressing his views on political, social, and philosophical issues. These letters also reveal details of his everyday life, providing a personal connection to Howard as he was known to his friends and family, making it a unique exploration of the man behind the stories.
In a meteoric career that covered only a dozen years, Robert E. Howard defined the sword-and-sorcery genre. In doing so, he brought to life the archetypal adventurer known to millions around the world as Conan the barbarian.Witness, then, Howard at his finest, and Conan at his most savage, in the latest volume featuring the collected works of Robert E. Howard, lavishly illustrated by award-winning artist Greg Manchess. Prepared directly from the earliest known versions—often Howard’s own manuscripts—are such sword-and-sorcery classics as “The Servants of Bit-Yakin” (formerly published as “Jewels of Gwahlur”), “Beyond the Black River,” “The Black Stranger,” “Man-Eaters of Zamboula” (formerly published as “Shadows in Zamboula”), and, perhaps his most famous adventure of all, “Red Nails.”The Conquering Sword of Conan includes never-before-published outlines, notes, and story drafts, plus a new introduction, personal correspondence, and the revealing essay “Hyborian Genesis”—which chronicles the history of the creation of the Conan series. Truly, this is heroic fantasy at its finest.
Robert E. Howard's influence on the Sword and Sorcery genre is showcased in this collection of his finest tales. Featuring iconic characters like Conan and Kull, the anthology also highlights lesser-known heroes such as James Allison, who recalls his past lives as legendary warriors, and Cormac Mac Art, a Viking leader in Arthurian times. Included are captivating stories like "Kings of the Night," "The Dark Man," and "The Valley of the Worm," offering readers a rich tapestry of fantasy and adventure from Howard's imaginative world.
The collection of early letters offers a unique glimpse into Robert E. Howard's formative years as a writer. Through these correspondences, readers can explore his passion for poetry, boxing, and folk traditions, alongside his creative endeavors in various genres, including parodies and plays. The letters also reveal his perspectives on political, social, and philosophical matters, providing a deeper understanding of his character and daily life. This intimate portrayal allows fans to connect with Howard as his friends did, showcasing the man behind the stories.
The second volume of Collected Letters highlights Robert E. Howard's journey as a successful writer, showcasing his correspondence with contemporaries like H.P. Lovecraft. This collection includes early debates that illustrate the evolution of Howard's ideas and arguments. Additionally, it captures his deep affection for Texas, as he takes on the role of Raconteur, sharing stories of Texas history and life through his letters to Lovecraft, August Derleth, and others.
In his hugely influential and tempestuous career, Robert E. Howard created the genre that came to be known as sword and sorcery-and brought to life one of fantasy's boldest and most enduring figures: Conan the Cimmerian-reaver, slayer, barbarian, king.This lavishly illustrated volume gathers together three of Howard's longest and most famous Conan stories-two of them printed for the first time directly from Howard's typescript-along with a collection of the author's previously unpublished and rarely seen outlines, notes, and drafts. Longtime fans and new readers alike will agree that "The Bloody Crown of Conan" merits a place of honor on every fantasy lover's bookshelf.THE PEOPLE OF THE BLACK CIRCLEAmid the towering crags of Vendhya, in the shadowy citadel of the Black Circle, Yasmina of the golden throne seeks vengeance against the Black Seers. Her only ally is also her most formidable enemy-Conan, the outlaw chief.THE HOUR OF THE DRAGONToppled from the throne of Aquilonia by the evil machinations of an undead wizard, Conan must find the fabled jewel known as the Heart of Ahriman to reclaim his crown . . . and save his life.A WITCH SHALL BE BORNA malevolent witch of evil beauty. An enslaved queen. A kingdom in the iron grip of ruthless mercenaries. And Conan, who plots deadly vengeance against the human wolf who left him in the desert to die.
Conan the Cimmerian: the boy-thief who became a mercenary, who fought and loved his way across fabled lands to become King of Aquilonia. Neither supernatural fiends nore demonic sorcery could oppose the barbarian warrior as he wielded his mighty sword and dispatched his enemies to a bloody doom on the battlefields of the legendary Hyborian age. Collected together in one volume for the very first time, in chronological order, are Robert E. Howard's tales of the legendary hero, as fresh and atmospheric today as when they were first published in the pulp magazines of more than seventy years ago. Compiled by and with a foreward and afterword by award-winning writer and editor Stephen Jones
Robert Ervin Howard, an influential American pulp writer, is renowned for creating the iconic character Conan the Cimmerian, whose legacy parallels that of other literary figures like Tarzan and Sherlock Holmes. His diverse body of work spans fantasy, horror, and adventure genres, shaped by his voracious reading and early encouragement from teachers. Influenced by authors such as Jack London and Rudyard Kipling, Howard's natural prose talent led him to pursue a career as a professional writer, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture.
Set in the Hyborian Age, this story follows Conan the Cimmerian as he bravely infiltrates a treacherous tower to steal a legendary gem from the evil sorcerer Yara. It blends sword and sorcery with intriguing science fiction elements, offering unique insights into Howard's richly crafted world. Celebrated as a classic within Conan lore, it is often regarded by scholars as one of Robert E. Howard's finest tales, showcasing the hero's daring exploits and the perils of his adventures.
