The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Volume 1: Crimson Shadows

By Robert E. Howard

Book Overview

Robert E. Howard is one of the most famous and influential pulp authors of the twentieth century. Though largely known as the man who invented the sword-and-sorcery genre-and for his iconic hero Conan the Cimmerian-Howard also wrote horror tales, desert adventures, detective yarns, epic poetry, and more. This spectacular volume, gorgeously illustrated by Jim and Ruth Keegan, includes some of his best and most popular works. Inside, readers will discover (or rediscover) such gems as "The Shadow Kingdom," featuring Kull of Atlantis and considered by many to be the first sword-and-sorcery story; "The Fightin'est Pair," part of one of Howard's most successful series, chronicling the travails of Steve Costigan, a merchant seaman with fists of steel and a head of wood; "The Grey God Passes," a haunting tale about the passing of an age, told against the backdrop of Irish history and legend; "Worms of the Earth," a brooding narrative featuring Bran Mak Morn, about which H. P. Lovecraft said, "Few readers will ever forget the hideous and compelling power of this macabre masterpiece"; a historical poem relating a momentous battle between Cimbri and the legions of Rome; and "Sharp's Gun Serenade," one of the last and funniest of the Breckinridge Elkins tales. These thrilling, eerie, compelling, swashbuckling stories and poems have been restored to their original form, presented just as the author intended. There is little doubt that after more than seven decades the voice of Robert E. Howard continues to resonate with readers around the world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345490185
• ISBN13: 9780345490186
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Random House Worlds
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 1.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Robert E Howard is an American Icon

The only bad thing that could be said about this compilation is that many of Howard's stories/themes/characters/plots are now cliche, simply because they are so old and so copied. This collection has around two stories for many of his characters, as well as a lot of poetry. Anyone interested in a Howard sampler should pick this up before looking into the many volumes that more fully flush out each individual character and storyline. I would recommend this volume to anyone; Robert E Howard was a genius on the level of Einstein, is a true American master of writing, and this tome is an excellent introduction to his many excellent works.

Really his Best

REH in his short life wrote so many stories that they would fill at least 12 fat volumes and maybe more but his fans would not like to admit that he wrote a lot of trash but who could blame him. It was the depression and most sold. This book and the 2nd volume 'Best of REH ; Grim Lands' are the cream of his writings with sampling all the genres he worked with . I think a 3rd Best of with 'The Iron Man' and 'Skull-Face' and 'Marchers of Valhalla' I can think of now should be published. Also there should be a volume of his poetry. "Nuff Sed" Buy the 2 Bests !

A trip back

The stories written by Robert E. Howard are distinct and classic in their own right. Thinking back when I first found the Conan series (after first watching Conan The Barbarian) I was immersed in any REH work I could find. At that time it was only Conan. As I read my treasured paperbacks to tatters I looked over the years to replace them with new ones. Now I have discovered the other wealth of adventure by REH... I only wish it could have been sooner. The elements of style and much of his descriptions carry through to other works yet the other stories are also fresh and different. This man was a brilliant story teller! Read, enjoy and immerse yourself in Howard's many worlds for true adventure! I have read other authors who have done these stories well but no one wrote like the original!

An excellent REH Sampler

Crimson Shadows is the latest in Del Rey's definitive Howard series. The books provide the most authoritative versions of Howard's stories available anywhere, with scholarly notes (in the back, which you need not read, but can be cool to sample) on the original texts. I have only one caveat about this excellent collection. If (like me) you have previously purchased the previous volumes in the series, namely the Conan, Kane, Kull, and Bran Mak Morn books, then you have already more than half the material in the book. You may find it worth buying anyway, as I did, in order to get Howard stories about lesser known characters (but not written with less passion). Many are well worth the read. For some one who has not read much of Robert E. Howard, this is a superb place to start. The best Kull story ever (Shadow Kingdom, one of REH's very best) is here. So is the best Bran Mak Morn story (Worms of the Earth). The original version of "The Grey God Passes" is here, etc. This book is REH at his best. But the overlap with previous volumes in the same series is at least 50%.

The best stories from the best story writer

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.