The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Crimson Shadows (Best of Robert E Howard) (Paperback)
Review
“Stories such as ‘The People of the Black Circle’ glow with the fierce and eldritch light of [Howard’s] frenzied intensity.”–Stephen King“Robert E. Howard was a true storyteller–one of the first, and certainly among the best, you’ll find in heroic fantasy. If you’ve never read him before, you’re in for a real treat.”–Charles de Lint“In this, I think, the art of Robert E. Howard was hard to surpass: vigor, speed, vividness. And always there is that furious, galloping narrative pace.”–Poul Anderson“For headlong, nonstop adventure and for vivid, even florid, scenery, no one comes close to Howard.”–Harry TurtledoveFrom the Trade Paperback edition.
–This text refers to the
Kindle Edition
edition.
Review
“Stories such as ‘The People of the Black Circle’ glow with the fierce and eldritch light of [Howard’s] frenzied intensity.”–Stephen King“Robert E. Howard was a true storyteller–one of the fir … >>> Save Money at Amazon.com
This almost 500 page collection proves Howard was more than just a sword and sorcery pulp writer. We get fine stories of fantasy; horror; adventure; boxing; humorous western; detective and some good poetry.
We get Conan; Kane; Kull; Bran Mak Morn; Costigan; El Borak; Elkins, and several more brawling anti heroes. When great Pulp mag writers are discussed, Howard was one of the most versatile, and one of the best.
A selection of stories from many and varied genres. As the editor says “He is most famous, of course, for Conan of Cimmeria, who has taken on a life of his own as Conan the Barbarian, far removed from Howards brilliantly original conception; herein you will find other great characters, like Kull of Atlantis, king of fabled Valusia; Solomon Kane, the swashbuckling Puritanadventurer; Bran Mak Morn, last king of an ancient race; Sailor Steve Costigan, the champion of the forecastle; Breckinridge Elkins, the man-mountain who cant seem to avoid walking into trouble; Steve Harrison, the detective whos as likely to solve the mystery with his fists as with his wits; and many others. They run the gamut from dark fantasy to broad humor, from brooding horror to gentle love story.”
Burke further states that he used a fan poll of the top 25 Howard stories to help in choosing the stories, taking a goodly percentage of them. With a caveat that only two Conan stories per book, maximum.
The only one I don’t think is any good is the Curse of the Golden Skull.
There are also many poems included here, and Burke points out that Howard wrote over 300 stories and 800 poems in 12 years, approximately.
Crimson Shadows : The Shadow Kingdom – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : The Curse of the Golden Skull – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : Red Shadows – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : The Dark Man – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : Kings of the Night – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : The Black Stone – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : The Fightin’est Pair – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : The Grey God Passes – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : Worms of the Earth – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : Lord of the Dead – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : For the Love of Barbara Allen – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : The Tide – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : The Valley of the Worm – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : The People of the Black Circle – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : Beyond the Black River – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : Hawk of the Hills – Robert E. Howard
Crimson Shadows : Sharp’s Gun Serenade – Robert E. Howard
If you have never read any of the late Robert E. Howard’s works, then this is a great place to start. Collected in two volumes are many of his most popular stories about his most exciting heroes: Conan of Cimmeria; the grim Puritan, Solomon Kane; the boxer, Steve Costigan, and his bulldog, Mike; Red Sonya of Rogatino; King Kull; and a host of others. These heroes are truly larger than life, ready to do battle with fists and swords. Howard was a master of the short story format, and it shows in his writing style, which is intense, bold, descriptive, and yet concise, pulling the reader inexorably into his visions and leaving one wanting more. We are unlikely to ever again see another writer of his caliber.