The People of the Summit
Encyclopedia
"The People of the Summit" is a short story
by Björn Nyberg
, subsequently revised L. Sprague de Camp
, featuring the fictional sword and sorcery
hero Conan the Barbarian
created by Robert E. Howard
. Nyberg's version of the story was first published by Lancer Books
in the paperback anthology The Mighty Swordsmen
in December 1970. The revised version was first published by Bantam Books
in the paperback collection Conan the Swordsman
in August 1978. Later paperback editions of the collection were issued by Ace Books
(1987 and 1991). The first hardcover edition was published by Tor Books
in 2002. The book has also been translated into Italian
. It was later gathered together with Conan the Liberator
and Conan and the Spider God
into the omnibus collection Sagas of Conan
(Tor Books, 2004).
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Björn Nyberg
Björn Nyberg
Björn Emil Oscar Nyberg, born September 11, 1929, is a Swedish fantasy author best known for his additions to the series of Conan stories begun by Robert E. Howard. His primary contribution to the series was The Return of Conan , which was revised for publication by L. Sprague de Camp. He lives in...
, subsequently revised L. Sprague de Camp
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...
, featuring the fictional 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...
created by 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....
. Nyberg's version of the story was first published by Lancer Books
Lancer Books
Lancer Books was a series of paperback books published from 1961 through 1973 by Irwin Stein and Walter Zacharius. While it published stories of a number of genres, it was noted most for its science fiction and fantasy, particularly its series of Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian tales, the...
in the paperback anthology The Mighty Swordsmen
The Mighty Swordsmen
The Mighty Swordsmen is a 1970 anthology of fantasy short stories in the sword and sorcery subgenre, edited by Hans Stefan Santesson. It was first published in paperback by Lancer Books in December 1970, and was a follow-up to the earlier Lancer anthology The Mighty Barbarians.The book collects six...
in December 1970. The revised version was first published by Bantam Books
Bantam Books
Bantam Books is an American publishing house owned entirely by Random House, the German media corporation subsidiary of Bertelsmann; it is an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group. It was formed in 1945 by Walter B. Pitkin, Jr., Sidney B. Kramer, and Ian and Betty Ballantine...
in the paperback collection Conan the Swordsman
Conan the Swordsman
Conan the Swordsman is a collection of seven fantasy short stories and associated pieces written by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Björn Nyberg featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in August 1978....
in August 1978. Later paperback editions of the collection were issued by 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...
(1987 and 1991). The first hardcover edition was published by Tor Books
Tor Books
Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
in 2002. The book has also been translated into Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
. It was later gathered together with Conan the Liberator
Conan the Liberator
Conan the Liberator is a fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in February 1979; later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books...
and Conan and the Spider God
Conan and the Spider God
Conan and the Spider God is a fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Bantam Books in December 1980; later paperback editions were issued by Ace Books and Tor Books...
into the omnibus collection Sagas of Conan
Sagas of Conan
Sagas of Conan is a 2004 omnibus collection of three previously issued fantasy books written by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter and Björn Nyberg featuring Robert E. Howard's seminal sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. It was first published in paperback by Tor Books.-Contents:*Conan the...
(Tor Books, 2004).
Plot summary
Conan and his comrade Jamal are the sole survivors of a force of Turanian soldiers ambushed by Khozgarian tribesmen. Fleeing the site of the massacre, they encounter Shanya Karaz, the Khozgari chief's daughter, whom they seize as a hostage. Their flight takes them over the Bhamlar Pass, which they brave despite Shanya's warnings of the People of the Summit, the survivors of a dying race who haunt the high mountains. Fogbound in the pass, the three are attacked; Jamal is killed and Shanya taken. Conan fights his way through a band of apes to trail the attackers to the lost race's tower redoubt in an attempt to rescue Shanya.External links
- Conan wiki • The People of the Summit • Synopsis, characters, locations, and publishing history