- Unknown Binding: 224 pages
- Publisher: Lancer Books (1967)
- Language English
- ASIN: B0007JCBU6
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
Conan the Conqueror
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Readers beware - the other review here that claims this book is comprised of 4 conan stories is completely incorrect.
Instead, 'Conan the Conqueror' is in fact the only full-length Conan novel, not a collection of linked stories. It was originally entitled 'The Hour of the Dragon' and was (I believe) pretty much the last Conan story Howard completed before killing himself.
The other review refers to a completely different book, not 'Conan The Conqueror'.
As this is the only full-length Conan novel entirely by Howard, it is, of course, totally indispensible for fans of authentic sword and sorcery.
Instead, 'Conan the Conqueror' is in fact the only full-length Conan novel, not a collection of linked stories. It was originally entitled 'The Hour of the Dragon' and was (I believe) pretty much the last Conan story Howard completed before killing himself.
The other review refers to a completely different book, not 'Conan The Conqueror'.
As this is the only full-length Conan novel entirely by Howard, it is, of course, totally indispensible for fans of authentic sword and sorcery.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The four tales in "Conan the Conqueror" cover most of the main aspects of the career of Robert E. Howard's character: raider, thief, pirate, and mercenary. (1) "Black Tears" by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter is one of several pastiches written by the duo based upon hints in Howard's note and letters to fill up gaps in the saga. It takes place after the classic story "A Witch Shall Be Born" (in "Conan the Freebooter") as Conan leads his band of Zuagirs eastward to raid the cities and caravans of the Turanians. King Yezdigerd reacts by sending out a strong force to entrap Conan. (2) Shadows in Zamboula" by Robert E. Howard has Conan destitute after a week of guzzling, gorging, roistering, ... and gambling. This is an above average Conan the Thief story. (3) "The Devil in Iron" by Howard has Conan returning the seas as a pirate, putting together a crew from among his old friends the kozaki and the Red Fellowship of Vilayet Sea. Conan and his crew stumbled upon an inhuman creature and mayhem ensues. (4) The longest story in this collection, "The Flame Knife" was one of four uncompleted manuscripts by Howard completed by de Camp. This novella was originally an adventure in modern Afghanistan entitled "Three-Bladed Doom" staring Francis X. Gordon, Howard's brawny, brawling Irish adventurer. De Camp transformed the story into a Conan tale. After King Yezdigerd crushes the Kozak host, Conan retreats southward with a sizeable band and joins the army of Kobad Shah, king of Iranistan and one of Yezdigred's strongest rivals. These stories are rather standard fare, evidencing in part the problems de Camp and Carter had in filling all the gaps in the Conan saga. Certainly these are stories you would read out of a sense of completeness rather than because there are any real gems to be found within.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
9 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
An Enduring Champion in an Epic Chronicle
30 Jun 2000
Format:Paperback
When Lancer Books started reissuing the Conan saga back in the mid-60's, they enlisted L. Sprage DeCamp and Lin Carter to spruce up Howard's grammar and soften some of the more "politically incorrect" views he voiced. They chose well. Although 9th in the series, "Conan the Conqueror" was the first book issued because of copyright problems. It was a good start. I read the book and was hooked. I haunted the bookstores waiting for each new Conan book to come out. Later I had the opportunity to read "Hour of the Dragon," Howard's book as originally written. Not quite as polished as "Conan the Conqueror," but entertaining nonetheless. Anyone who enjoyed the movie "Conan the Barbarian" should like "Conan the Conqueror."
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
The one that got me hooked on REH
21 Aug 2003
Format:Paperback
When I was ten years old I stumbled across the Lancer edition of this book,their edition of Howard's "The Hour of the Dragon," which actually ran as a serial in "Weird Tales" in the 1930s (none of REH's work was actually published as a novel during his lifetime, with the possible exception of "Almuric," which I can't remember for certain but it may have been). At that age I probably had no business reading it, but I made my first purchase ever of a book when I bought it. Amazingly, even though that was over thirty-five years ago, I still own the book.
The book is fast-paced, action packed, and carries the eerie atmopshere that so many Howard stories do (what is it about authors who shoot themselves that seems to tie them so closely to great story-telling?). Conna faces insurmountable odds in losing his kingdom, and naturally, he eventually overcomes them. The fun of the tale is in following his adventures as he travels the world to find the means to defeat his enemies.
Obviously, Howard isn't everyone's cup of tea. There is an air of fatality and finality looming over all of his best works, including this one. Despite Conan's ultimate victory, you almost sense that Howard knew, and by extension Conan knew, that all victories are short lived and would soon pass.
Regardless, if you have an interest in sword and sorcery, this is must reading and probably a good starting point for people new to the genre. Howard is essentially the father of the genre and is still the best in that area in my opinion.
Just looking at a lot of the deriviative junk that has grown around the whole Conan mythos, you really have to wish that Howard had lived longer and continued to write more about Conan, although at the time of his death, Howard was moving away from the genre to what he considered better paying markets.
I give it five stars because it is in many ways the peak of Howard's writing. And thirty-five years later, I still occassionally pick it up and re-read it, which may say a lot about how well-written it is, since I long ago left fantasy reading behind me.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Conan unseated from his throne
26 Jan 2002
Format:Paperback
A prosperous Aquilonia flourishes under Conan's firm rule, but Conan is deposed by an evil plot that originates with his neighbors in Nemedia. Black arts are engaged to defeat the great barbarian, but Conan makes a journey to find a way to save Aquilonia from usurpation.
L. Sprague de Camp does an admirable job as editor. The Conan books are not precisely my cuppa tea, but are an essential read for people interested in the history of the fantasy genre.
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