From Publishers Weekly
The late Howard (19061936) is best known for his sword-and-sorcery stories, but he was a prolific author whose work spanned many genres. This collection focuses on his Central Asian stories, offering 11 tales of derring-do along with various miscellanea and supplemental materials. Much of the book is devoted to Francis El Borak Gordon, an American caught up in the struggle among various imperial powers who seek control of the regions north of India. More self-centered adventurers like Kirby O'Donnell and Steve Clarney get fewer pages, but provide an interesting contrast with Gordon's loyalty to his friends of all races. Many elements of these stories have aged badly, but Howard's skill as a writer and his enthusiasm for the subject matter are undeniable. Illus. by Tim Bradstreet and Jim & Ruth Keegan not seen by PW. (Feb.)
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From Booklist
This volume of Del Reys collections of the works of the creator of Conan the Destroyer contains the adventures of Texan Francis Xavier Gordon, known as El Borak, who fights outlaws, messianic madmen, and other deadly opponents in Afghanistan and the Middle East in the 1920s and 1930s; and of Texas Irishman Kirby ODonnell in the same region and time. Written for the pulps, only about half these yarns saw print before Howard died. Theyre action-packed adventures, whose only supernatural elements lie in the areas hostile geography and ancient ruins. Howards reportorial prose very well suits depicting a land where life is cheap, blood flows at a wrong word, and loners only feelings are for comradeship and honor. A must for Howard completists, this volume should also attract anyone interested in American popular culture and the use of the Middle East in American popular fiction. The notes to El Borak mention several analogous authors. --Frieda Murray
Library : Fantasy
Formats : EPUB
ISBN : 9780345505453