Burroughs Books

Only Superman and Batman have had a stronger and more enduring impact on 20th century American popular culture than Edgar Rice Burroughs' literary creation of "Tarzan". The orphaned son of an English couple marooned on the shores of Africa and raised by apes captured popular attention from his first introduction in 1912 in the novel "Tarzan of the Apes". Since then the character has appeared in dozens of books (both authorized and unauthorized), been the subject of dozens of films (both American and foreign), appeared as several television series, been the mainstay of comic books, graphic novels, radio plays, and given rise to innumerable toys, fanzines, and other products. In his seminal work "On Tarzan", Alex Vernon (Associate Professor of English, Hendrix College) lays out the mythical, even archetypal status of this fictional character, the differences between Tarzan of the novels and Tarzan of the films, the 'Walt Disneyfictation' phenomenon, and so much more. Of special note is the analysis of racism in the Tarzan mythos and literature. A work of seminal and impressive scholarship, "On Tarzan" is strongly recommended for academic and community library Literary Studies and American Popular Culture reference collections, as well as a singularly important contribution to the reading lists for all dedicated Tarzan fans.

Edgar Rice Burroughs is best known for his Tarzan novels and better known for his Mars, Pellucidar and other science-fiction series, but "The Outlaw of Torn" is one of his best pulp fiction yarns. It was actually the second story Burroughs wrote. Apparently the editor at "All-Story," which had published "Tarzan of the Apes," suggested ERB write it and then rejected the story when it was submitted. It was then published in five parts in "New Story Magazine" (January-May 1914), and the first book edition was published in 1927.

Burroughs begins with his standard storytelling device: the author comes across the story of Richard, the lost prince of England and tells it to his readers. Henry III of England insults Sir Jules de Vac, who takes his vengeance by kidnapping young Prince Richard. As Norman, the Outlaw of Torn, the young man becomes the greatest swordsman in England and a fearless outlaw with a price upon his head who raises an army loyal only to him. Of course, although he is ignorant of his noble birth, he is drawn to the lovely Bertrade de Montfort, daughter of the King's brother-in-law, the Earl of Leicester. This romance fits in nicely with the plans of de Vac, who contrives situations in which the king will be responsible for killing his own son. Yes, the ending is predictable, but ERB has a great sense of pacing and you have to remember that he was writing this decades before all of the Errol Flynn movies that would define the swordplay genre.

The obvious comparison for "The Outlaw of Torn" is with Robin Hood, but Burroughs' pulp novel has its own tale to tell. This really is one of his best novels and as an example of the pulp fiction of the early 20th century it is a first-class work. Keep in mind that he tended to do a lot of sequels, and they started to get rather redundant and repetitive (especially in the last half of the Tarzan novels). But "The Outlaw of Torn" stands out because as a historical novel it is unlike pretty much everything else Burroughs wrote. I read every ERB novel I could get my hands on as a kid, and "The Outlaw of Torn," in my 75 cent Ace Paperback edition with the Roy Krenkle cover, has been the one I have re-read the most.

I read virtually everything Burroughs wrote that I could lay my hands on when I was in my early teens. This one escaped me. Having finally discovered it, even at an advanced age, I can say it is one of the jewels of ERB's work. While I am partial to his series works, there are times when a single volume story is all you want to read. This is a prime candidate.

Written in 1914 and published serially, ERB makes a departure from his plot formula (at least a little) in order to write this tale of ultimate vengeance. The main character, Norman of Torn, aka Prince Richard of England, becomes the prime tool for the revenge of another. There are the usual elements of romance, but in effect this is a novel about knights and sword fights, outlaws versus nobility, chivalry versus lusts. Life was never this black and white, but it makes for good reading. I found the story to be reminiscent of both Ivanhoe and Robin Hood, and well worth the read. P-)

I read virtually everything Burroughs wrote that I could lay my hands on when I was in my early teens. This one escaped me. Having finally discovered it, even at an advanced age, I can say it is one of the jewels of ERB's work. While I am partial to his series works, there are times when a single volume story is all you want to read. This is a prime candidate.

Written in 1914 and published serially, ERB makes a departure from his plot formula (at least a little) in order to write this tale of ultimate vengeance. The main character, Norman of Torn, aka Prince Richard of England, becomes the prime tool for the revenge of another. There are the usual elements of romance, but in effect this is a novel about knights and sword fights, outlaws versus nobility, chivalry versus lusts. Life was never this black and white, but it makes for good reading. I found the story to be reminiscent of both Ivanhoe and Robin Hood, and well worth the read. P-)

Edgar Rice Burroughs is best known for his Tarzan novels and better known for his Mars, Pellucidar and other science-fiction series, but "The Outlaw of Torn" is one of his best pulp fiction yarns. It was actually the second story Burroughs wrote. Apparently the editor at "All-Story," which had published "Tarzan of the Apes," suggested ERB write it and then rejected the story when it was submitted. It was then published in five parts in "New Story Magazine" (January-May 1914), and the first book edition was published in 1927.

Burroughs begins with his standard storytelling device: the author comes across the story of Richard, the lost prince of England and tells it to his readers. Henry III of England insults Sir Jules de Vac, who takes his vengeance by kidnapping young Prince Richard. As Norman, the Outlaw of Torn, the young man becomes the greatest swordsman in England and a fearless outlaw with a price upon his head who raises an army loyal only to him. Of course, although he is ignorant of his noble birth, he is drawn to the lovely Bertrade de Montfort, daughter of the King's brother-in-law, the Earl of Leicester. This romance fits in nicely with the plans of de Vac, who contrives situations in which the king will be responsible for killing his own son. Yes, the ending is predictable, but ERB has a great sense of pacing and you have to remember that he was writing this decades before all of the Errol Flynn movies that would define the swordplay genre.

The obvious comparison for "The Outlaw of Torn" is with Robin Hood, but Burroughs' pulp novel has its own tale to tell. This really is one of his best novels and as an example of the pulp fiction of the early 20th century it is a first-class work. Keep in mind that he tended to do a lot of sequels, and they started to get rather redundant and repetitive (especially in the last half of the Tarzan novels). But "The Outlaw of Torn" stands out because as a historical novel it is unlike pretty much everything else Burroughs wrote. I read every ERB novel I could get my hands on as a kid, and "The Outlaw of Torn," in my 75 cent Ace Paperback edition with the Roy Krenkle cover, has been the one I have re-read the most.

Leonaur Ltd. is publishing the definitive Edgar Rice Burroughs 21st century editions. These usually contain 2 books of the different ERB major series in order - thus far John Carter, Pellucidar, and Carson of Venus. In the future, possibly Tarzan!
These books are handsome and my rating is mainly based on this - the ERB fan knows best about the rest of it.
This volume contains the first 2 and best of the Pellucidar series. Forget about the movie adaptation. The Pellucidar series is one of ERB's 3 top series (after John Carter and Tarzan) and these books will not dissapoint.

Leonaur Ltd. is publishing the definitive Edgar Rice Burroughs 21st century editions. These usually contain 2 books of the different ERB major series in order - thus far John Carter, Pellucidar, and Carson of Venus. In the future, possibly Tarzan!
These books are handsome and my rating is mainly based on this - the ERB fan knows best about the rest of it.
This volume contains the 5th and 6th Pellucidar books.

Leonaur Ltd. is publishing the definitive Edgar Rice Burroughs 21st century editions. These usually contain 2 books of the different ERB major series in order - thus far John Carter, Pellucidar, and Carson of Venus. In the future, possibly Tarzan!
These books are handsome and my rating is mainly based on this - the ERB fan knows best about the rest of it.
This volume contains the last Pellucidar novel. Lesser Burroughs and lesser Pellucidar but still better than most contemporaries.

Two fun and informative books in one. One part shows a young girl (Ruby) exploring nature and working in a garden while the other part explains concepts. For example, one page shows Ruby sniffing flowers, which makes her sneeze. Another section explains nectar, pollen, and pollination. It mentions that pollen causes allergies in some people and how pollen travels in the wind and via insects. The text also asks questions like, "Grass has feathery flowers. How do you think this helps spread pollen on the wind?" Some topics covered are plant parts, life cycle, seeds, and the food chain.The illustrations are very warm and friendly looking. There are several activities, an index, and a glossary. Karen Woodworth-Roman, MS, Children's Science Book Review

This has got to be the most beautiful book on Burroughs ever produced! Every page is a work of art. Pictures, paintings, drawings, poetry, notes, letters, short stories...this book has it all. No Burroughs fan should be without this book!