It was fun revisiting these books this month. Frazetta's cover for Conan The Conqueror is my all time favorite Conan painting. I have it framed on my wall.
What a great event! First time I've read all the original Conan stories. Added a few de Camps to finish off the month. Been limiting my Booktube time recently, except for Roger's Club and a few must-dos like this one. Was a lot of fun. Thanks for hosting! Hour of the Dragon was certainly my favorite of the bunch.
Hadn't noticed a King Arthur feel or recycled elements, but when I'm lost in a book I rarely have time for thinking, living the moment. Only Red Nails left to read and I'm finished, thank you for Cimmerian September, its been great, enjoyed this quest very much.. consider the beast well and truly slain.
I know I'm getting these for Christmas... I've seen them in my husband's study...DOH 😣 got to wait 'till then.... your Channel is just the best. Am reading 1st Vol of The rise and fall of the Trigan Empire at the moment. Great illustrations. Take me back to childhood.
I still have two volumes of the collected Conan stories, including The Hour of the Dragon, and in due course, I'm going to re-read them. Even in his darkest moments, Conan, resourceful as ever, always found a way to escape and take back that which was his. He was anything but a "Big dumb barbarian" as told by Needle the juvenile phoenix in the 1992 Canadian animated series! Just wanted to share that with you, Michael. 😁🗡🗡🗡🗡
Really enjoyed Conan. I first encountered him back in 1989 in the Conan Chronicles the Sprague de Camp collection. However i have the Robert E.Howard originals now and they are just so good. Had a blast, thanks for nudging me back to these.😊
Great summary of the background to "The Hour Of The Dragon" Michael - in another dimension, Howard did have the novel published in the UK, to great success, and it opened up a whole new market for him. "A Witch Shall Be Born" is a personal favourite: despite the unoriginal plot elements like the evil twin sister, the crucifixion more than makes up for it; and I really like that title.
One thing I have noticed reading the unadulterated REH Conan stories is how much more natural the stories read than the later versions. I am sorry, I didn't get my reading finished in September, but I am still enjoying them immensely!
I just read all of Hour of the Dragon on a long car trip. It definitely feels like this was Conan’s farewell tour where Howard tried to put every type of Conan story into one big road trip. I thought Xaltotun went down too easily compared to the finale of People of the Black Circle. But the switch from Conan’s POV to enemy military campaign POV worked really well to build up to the big return of Conan and his army.
As always a fantastic video, merci thanks so much for introducing me to Hour of the Dragon, am enjoying it ever so much in both English & my native language.
W.S. Burroughs, completely different kind writer, of course, engaged in the same kind of "recycling." I own those same editions. They're really good. It was such a relief to discover them after years of struggling to find the real Conan, b/c of L. Spaghetti DeCampy. Nowadays, though, I prefer Groo, with a big bowl of cheese dip and tortilla chips. Or even better, gas station nachos and a cold forty. What I like about the Conan stories, they instantly grab you, and at once you're inside a lived-in world. Fritz Liber's sword & sorcery does the same for me. With Conan, though, you get this existential angst that feels authenticate. He was grim before grim was cool.And it's also important to bring up that Howard was living during the Depression, his mother was dying, and he was short of money. Of course he would do whatever he could to bring in some bucks as quickly as possible. It's his own work. It's not like he was stealing someone else's work.
Thanks for the review, Michael. Had no idea that these collections existed, so l will seek them out. Enjoying your videos and your take on these publishing packages. AAA+++
The Hour of the Dragon is a perfect example of why Conan and Sword & Sorcery is so amazing to read! People of the Black Circle is so errie and shows the dark magic that separates this genre from other Fantasy stuff.
Yes! I read bloody crown earlier this year. People of the black circle is just great. Hour of the dragon impressed me as well, although I think it lost some of the flare of the shorter stories.
September isn’t over yet! Agree with you about “A Witch Shall Be Born” being middle of the road. The premise and opening few scene are incredible, but it seems to fall a little flat towards the end. Almost wish Howard had thought of that attempted execution scene when he wrote Hour of the Dragon since it seems to promise a grander story.
I have fond memories of reading Hour of the Dragon when I was about 10 or 11. It is one of his best. I still think Beyond the Black River is the best. Still looking forward to your ranking of the original stories!
I’ve read a few Conan stories and three Solomon Kane stories and find Howards longer stories a bit better than the shorter ones. Anyway I enjoyed Solomon Kane a bit better than Conan though. I will definitely read more Robert E Howard stories in the future.
"So Conan had to write this down fast, so he wound up cannibalizing .." great video once again. REH rules. Keep up the good work These things happen when undead timetravelling mummies do hijinxes .
I knew it, I knew Howard was channeling the spirit of Conan to write these stories, and Vaughan just confirmed! Too bad Conan has got a bit muddled over the sheer amount of adventures he's had and repeats/mixes-up the details.
I loved this event. I think it might have to be a yearly observance for me! I don't remember being overly fond of People of the Black Circle. I remember it going on for a little too long for me. I might have to revisit it and give it another shot. Hour of the Dragon is good, but as you said its a bit of a greatest hits album. Not that that is a bad thing. It is a great quest romp. I remember really liking all the politics of the Hyborean Age that it delves into. Do the Del Rey editions include the unpublished drafts like Snout in the Dark and Wolves Beyond the Boarders? I've been reading the leather bound one volume Centenary edition from 2006 and it includes those at the end. I'm debating on picking up the Del Rey editions as well for the art pieces.
Hi, Michael. Did you finish The Del Rey 'Conquering Sword Of Conan'? I was looking for a video that you may have done for it as you covered the first two Del Rey Conan books. Is The Hour Of The Dragon still your favourite?
It was fun revisiting these books this month. Frazetta's cover for Conan The Conqueror is my all time favorite Conan painting. I have it framed on my wall.
Just reread the Hour of the Dragon this weekend. What a great story.
"He ends up surviving this crucifiction, which is....rather unlikely..." I'm the one dying here.
What a great event! First time I've read all the original Conan stories. Added a few de Camps to finish off the month. Been limiting my Booktube time recently, except for Roger's Club and a few must-dos like this one. Was a lot of fun. Thanks for hosting! Hour of the Dragon was certainly my favorite of the bunch.
A Witch Shall Be Born was the first Conan story I ever read, so I elevate it a little higher because it started me down that dark road.
The Hour of the Dragon is Howard recapping Conan's greatest hits. Entertaining as it is, it is nothing we haven't seen before.
Hadn't noticed a King Arthur feel or recycled elements, but when I'm lost in a book I rarely have time for thinking, living the moment. Only Red Nails left to read and I'm finished, thank you for Cimmerian September, its been great, enjoyed this quest very much.. consider the beast well and truly slain.
I know I'm getting these for Christmas... I've seen them in my husband's study...DOH 😣 got to wait 'till then.... your Channel is just the best. Am reading 1st Vol of The rise and fall of the Trigan Empire at the moment. Great illustrations. Take me back to childhood.
Your husband gives great gifts!
I still have two volumes of the collected Conan stories, including The Hour of the Dragon, and in due course, I'm going to re-read them. Even in his darkest moments, Conan, resourceful as ever, always found a way to escape and take back that which was his. He was anything but a "Big dumb barbarian" as told by Needle the juvenile phoenix in the 1992 Canadian animated series! Just wanted to share that with you, Michael. 😁🗡🗡🗡🗡
Perfect timing yet again from the manor. I've been looking forward to this one
Really enjoyed Conan. I first encountered him back in 1989 in the Conan Chronicles the Sprague de Camp collection. However i have the Robert E.Howard originals now and they are just so good. Had a blast, thanks for nudging me back to these.😊
Great summary of the background to "The Hour Of The Dragon" Michael - in another dimension, Howard did have the novel published in the UK, to great success, and it opened up a whole new market for him. "A Witch Shall Be Born" is a personal favourite: despite the unoriginal plot elements like the evil twin sister, the crucifixion more than makes up for it; and I really like that title.
Thank you so much Michael....props my man
One thing I have noticed reading the unadulterated REH Conan stories is how much more natural the stories read than the later versions. I am sorry, I didn't get my reading finished in September, but I am still enjoying them immensely!
Yes! Robert E. Howard definitely had that quality as a writer. One reason he couldn’t be imitated successfully.
I just read all of Hour of the Dragon on a long car trip. It definitely feels like this was Conan’s farewell tour where Howard tried to put every type of Conan story into one big road trip. I thought Xaltotun went down too easily compared to the finale of People of the Black Circle. But the switch from Conan’s POV to enemy military campaign POV worked really well to build up to the big return of Conan and his army.
As always a fantastic video, merci thanks so much for introducing me to Hour of the Dragon, am enjoying it ever so much in both English & my native language.
Superb review/recap of this book. Very insightful, and I love the history behind the publication of the stories. Nicely done
Thanks!
W.S. Burroughs, completely different kind writer, of course, engaged in the same kind of "recycling." I own those same editions. They're really good. It was such a relief to discover them after years of struggling to find the real Conan, b/c of L. Spaghetti DeCampy. Nowadays, though, I prefer Groo, with a big bowl of cheese dip and tortilla chips. Or even better, gas station nachos and a cold forty. What I like about the Conan stories, they instantly grab you, and at once you're inside a lived-in world. Fritz Liber's sword & sorcery does the same for me. With Conan, though, you get this existential angst that feels authenticate. He was grim before grim was cool.And it's also important to bring up that Howard was living during the Depression, his mother was dying, and he was short of money. Of course he would do whatever he could to bring in some bucks as quickly as possible. It's his own work. It's not like he was stealing someone else's work.
Thanks for the review, Michael. Had no idea that these collections existed, so l will seek them out. Enjoying your videos and your take on these publishing packages. AAA+++
The Hour of the Dragon is a perfect example of why Conan and Sword & Sorcery is so amazing to read!
People of the Black Circle is so errie and shows the dark magic that separates this genre from other Fantasy stuff.
By Crom! You shaved the stache!
Of course!
I read Conan the Conqueror back in Jr High School in the 70s-the Frazetta cover lured me in. Got hooked & now reading the Del Rey trilogy.
The hour of the dragon is the best Conan stories of all time but my favorite one is beyond the Black River I hope you cover the conquering sword next.
I definitely will.
Revisiting the Del Rey set was magnificent. September sort of went south on me, but Conan helped me through it.
Yes! I read bloody crown earlier this year. People of the black circle is just great. Hour of the dragon impressed me as well, although I think it lost some of the flare of the shorter stories.
Fun fact, the iconic Conan face (by Robert De La Torre) was modelled after a Turkish actor and wrestler (Yavuz Selekman).
September isn’t over yet! Agree with you about “A Witch Shall Be Born” being middle of the road. The premise and opening few scene are incredible, but it seems to fall a little flat towards the end. Almost wish Howard had thought of that attempted execution scene when he wrote Hour of the Dragon since it seems to promise a grander story.
I wrote a story called the half-hour of the crocodile! ...now I know why it didn't sell!! 😢 ....😅
I have fond memories of reading Hour of the Dragon when I was about 10 or 11. It is one of his best. I still think Beyond the Black River is the best. Still looking forward to your ranking of the original stories!
I'm about half way through this volume. Life kept me from reading Hour of the Dragon for the last two days. I need to get on it.
Darn real life! Always getting in the way of reading.
I’ve read a few Conan stories and three Solomon Kane stories and find Howards longer stories a bit better than the shorter ones. Anyway I enjoyed Solomon Kane a bit better than Conan though. I will definitely read more Robert E Howard stories in the future.
Solomon Kane is pretty great.
"So Conan had to write this down fast, so he wound up cannibalizing .." great video once again. REH rules. Keep up the good work These things happen when undead timetravelling mummies do hijinxes .
I knew it, I knew Howard was channeling the spirit of Conan to write these stories, and Vaughan just confirmed! Too bad Conan has got a bit muddled over the sheer amount of adventures he's had and repeats/mixes-up the details.
Yeah…it was the whole Howard channeling thing….🙄
I wasn't able to read anything for Cimmerian September, I'm way behind.
It’s never too late to read Conan!
I loved this event. I think it might have to be a yearly observance for me! I don't remember being overly fond of People of the Black Circle. I remember it going on for a little too long for me. I might have to revisit it and give it another shot. Hour of the Dragon is good, but as you said its a bit of a greatest hits album. Not that that is a bad thing. It is a great quest romp. I remember really liking all the politics of the Hyborean Age that it delves into. Do the Del Rey editions include the unpublished drafts like Snout in the Dark and Wolves Beyond the Boarders? I've been reading the leather bound one volume Centenary edition from 2006 and it includes those at the end. I'm debating on picking up the Del Rey editions as well for the art pieces.
The Del Rey editions have everything.
Hi, Michael. Did you finish The Del Rey 'Conquering Sword Of Conan'? I was looking for a video that you may have done for it as you covered the first two Del Rey Conan books. Is The Hour Of The Dragon still your favourite?