The Conan Reader
Encyclopedia
The Conan Reader is a 1968 essay collection by L. Sprague de Camp
, published in hardcover by Mirage Press. The essays were originally published as articles in George H. Scithers
' fanzine
Amra
. Mirage subsequently published two companion volumes of essays from Amra, The Conan Swordbook
(1969) and The Conan Grimoire
(1972). Most of the material in the three volumes, together with some additional material, was later reprinted in two de Camp-edited paperback anthologies from Ace Books
; The Blade of Conan
(1979) and The Spell of Conan
(1980).
The book consists of thirteen pieces on fantasy
writer Robert E. Howard
and his seminal sword and sorcery
hero Conan the Barbarian
, Howard's sources and literary successors, and other fantasy authors such as Fletcher Pratt
, Leslie Barringer
, and L. Ron Hubbard
.
L. Sprague de Camp
Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
, published in hardcover by Mirage Press. The essays were originally published as articles in George H. Scithers
George H. Scithers
George H. Scithers was a science fiction fan, author, and Hugo Award winning editor.A long-time member of the World Science Fiction Society, he published a fanzine starting in the '50s, wrote short stories, and moved on to edit several prominent science fiction magazines, as well as a number of...
' fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
Amra
Amra
Amra are the name of certain ancient Irish elegies or panegyrics on native saints. The best known is the Amra of Coluimb Cille...
. Mirage subsequently published two companion volumes of essays from Amra, The Conan Swordbook
The Conan Swordbook
The Conan Swordbook is a 1969 collection of essays edited by L. Sprague de Camp and George H. Scithers, published in hardcover by Mirage Press. The essays were originally published as articles in Scithers' fanzine Amra. The book is a companion to Mirage’s other two volumes of material from Amra,...
(1969) and The Conan Grimoire
The Conan Grimoire
The Conan Grimoire is a 1972 collection of essays, poetry and fiction edited by L. Sprague de Camp and George H. Scithers, published in hardcover by Mirage Press. The essays were originally published as articles in Scithers' fanzine Amra...
(1972). Most of the material in the three volumes, together with some additional material, was later reprinted in two de Camp-edited paperback anthologies from Ace Books
Ace Books
Ace Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
; The Blade of Conan
The Blade of Conan
The Blade of Conan is a 1979 collection of essays edited by L. Sprague de Camp, published in paperback by Ace Books. The material was originally published as articles in George H. Scithers' fanzine Amra. The book is a companion to Ace’s later volume of material from Amra, The Spell of Conan...
(1979) and The Spell of Conan
The Spell of Conan
The Spell of Conan is a 1980 collection of essays, poems and fiction edited by L. Sprague de Camp, published in paperback by Ace Books. The material was originally published as articles in George H. Scithers' fanzine Amra. The book is a companion to Ace’s earlier volume of material from Amra, The...
(1980).
The book consists of thirteen pieces on fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
writer Robert E. Howard
Robert E. Howard
Robert Ervin Howard was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre....
and his seminal sword and sorcery
Sword and sorcery
Sword and sorcery is a sub-genre of fantasy and historical fantasy, generally characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent conflicts. An element of romance is often present, as is an element of magic and the supernatural...
hero Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian is a fictional sword and sorcery hero that originated in pulp fiction magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, several films , television programs, video games, roleplaying games and other media...
, Howard's sources and literary successors, and other fantasy authors such as Fletcher Pratt
Fletcher Pratt
Murray Fletcher Pratt was an American writer of science fiction, fantasy and history, particularly noted for his works on naval history and on the American Civil War.- Life and work :...
, Leslie Barringer
Leslie Barringer
Leslie Barringer was an English editor and author of historical novels and historical fantasy novels, best known for the latter.-Life:...
, and L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
.
Contents
- “Conan’s Ghost”
- “Memories of R.E.H.”
- “The Trail of Tranicos”
- “Hyborian Technology”
- “Pirettes”
- “Conan and Matho”
- “Conan and Pizarro”
- “Conan’s Great-Grandfather”
- “Conan’s Imitators”
- “Pratt’s Parallel Worlds”
- “Knights and Knaves in Neustria”
- “El-Ron and the City of Brass”
- “An Exegesis of Howard’s Hyborian Tales”