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remcovanstraten's review
5.0
Immensely readable, comprehensive biography of pulp writer Robert E. Howard. It traces his roots from pioneer stock, and lays the origins of his writing in his Irish heritage and the Texan tradition of 'spinning yarns' from when the Wild West was still living memory. This, set against a backdrop of oil boom and bust and a young man who doesn't quite fit in, gives a quite good impression of the man who did not only gave the world Conan, but also invented the Weird Western, wrote historical adventure stories, westerns, light-hearted but heavy-fisted boxing tales, and much more.
Mark Finn is from Texas himself, and as they say: it takes one to know one.
Mark Finn is from Texas himself, and as they say: it takes one to know one.
booknooknoggin's review
3.0
A decent biography and close enough for me as I will probably never get to read the one written by his girlfriend ....which is out of print and very expensive.
matthewssmith's review
4.0
I read a later edition of this book which I don't see here that includes additional material.
The constriction of Howard's circumstances and inevitability of his suicide ride the narrative throughout the book, but there is joy and humor to be found in his life. Finn places Howard and the reader firmly in Texas and though the state is vast, there was a world beyond that Howard yearned to see and never would. He made his own world through a passion for history, a violent imagination, and great talent for telling ripping yarns. Finn fills in the details of Howard's life while dispelling popular myths. If you're a fan of Howard, you must read this book.
The constriction of Howard's circumstances and inevitability of his suicide ride the narrative throughout the book, but there is joy and humor to be found in his life. Finn places Howard and the reader firmly in Texas and though the state is vast, there was a world beyond that Howard yearned to see and never would. He made his own world through a passion for history, a violent imagination, and great talent for telling ripping yarns. Finn fills in the details of Howard's life while dispelling popular myths. If you're a fan of Howard, you must read this book.
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