Howard's swashbuckling fantasy stories feature the adventures of the enigmatic Conan: a free barbarian from distant Cimmeria who ventures into the splendid kingdoms of the south to find his fortune in the lost eons of the Hyborian Age between the sinking of Kull's Atlantis and the dawn of history. Cunning thief, captain of mercenaries and corsairs, lover of sultry temptresses, Conan follows his destiny into demon-haunted treasure towers and across the plains of death. And at last, like Kull before him, he slashes his name across the scrolls of royalty as King Conan, usurper-lord of imperial Aquilonia.

Author Biography

Robert E. Howard (1906-1936) ranks among the greatest writers of fantasy, action and adventure stories. The creator of Conan the Cimmerian, Kull of Atlantis, Solomon Kane, Bran Mak Morn, and many other memorable characters, he wrote well over a hundred stories for the pulp magazines of his day before shooting himself . John Clute is a well known critic and editor of fantasy and sci-fi. His latest book is The Darkening Garden: A Short Lexicon of Horror (2006). Forthcoming are his new collection, Houston Do You Read, and The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (3rd ed).