I was watching (yet again) the John Wayne western El Dorado. It looks amazing on the 75-inch 4K screen. In fact so amazing that I noticed something that had escaped me before. Leigh Brackett wrote the screenplay. I’ve written about the gifted, prolific Leigh Brackett before. People know she worked on Star Wars:The Empire Strikes Back.… Continue reading The Guns of Leigh Brackett. Plus Savage Journal Entry 36.
Category: Authors
Vettius and His Friends. Plus Savage Journal Entry 33.
I’ve encountered a few of David Drake’s Vettius and Dama stories in anthologies. But I’d not read them all. Happily, I picked up a copy of Vettius and His Friends and filled those gaps. I’m a fan of the tales. I like the dutiful, competent soldier Vettius and the learned, loyal, clever merchant Dama. They… Continue reading Vettius and His Friends. Plus Savage Journal Entry 33.
Bulfinch and Howard? Plus Savage Journal Entry 28.
I’ve been reading Thomas Bulfinch’s The Age of Chivalry. How many times and in how many versions have I encountered the deeds of King Arthur and his knights I couldn’r say. But the reason I bring up this book is that I encountered a couple of passages that brought Robert E. Howard to mind. Allow… Continue reading Bulfinch and Howard? Plus Savage Journal Entry 28.
David Drake’s Thieves’ World Novel “Dagger.” Plus Savage Journal Entry 26.
Thieves’ World was a remarkable achievement. The first few books, anyways, delivered some terrific stories, and the shared-world concept produced an outpouring of creativity. That included tie-in novels. Most people, I believe, gravitated toward Andrew Offutt’s Hanse Shadowspawn novel. I’m sure Janet Morris’ Tempus books had fans. The stories and novels offered us some fun… Continue reading David Drake’s Thieves’ World Novel “Dagger.” Plus Savage Journal Entry 26.
AKendix N. Plus Savage Journal Entry 20.
What books made you who you are today? What is your personal Appendix N? [NB: Appendix N is a recommended reading list for players of Dungeons and Dragons, writers that influenced Gary Gygax in his approach to the game.] That is, what sources molded the mental clay into the person you became? I’ve been pondering… Continue reading AKendix N. Plus Savage Journal Entry 20.
Anthologies: The Spell of Seven. Resurrected Post.
September 6, 2020 Anthologies: The Spell of Seven Another volume curated by L. Sprague de Camp, The Spell of Seven offers a stellar lineup of talent. Each of the seven tales features a Virgil Finlay illustration. How about that for lagniappe? Now, I’m guessing the cover looked better as a pencil and ink drawing. Colored,… Continue reading Anthologies: The Spell of Seven. Resurrected Post.
Kyrik Fights the Demon World. Hell Breaks Loose, By the Numbers. Resurrected Post.
June 14, 2020 Kyrik Fights the Demon World. Hell Breaks Loose, By the Numbers. I’ve read a few of Gardner Fox’s Kothar books. So when I saw his name on the cover of Kyrik Fights the Demon World I didn’t hesitate to snatch up the book. No one will claim that Fox was a master… Continue reading Kyrik Fights the Demon World. Hell Breaks Loose, By the Numbers. Resurrected Post.
Fantasy and Sword-and-Sorcery for Turbulent Days. Resurrected Days.
May 31, 2020 Fantasy and Sword-and-Sorcery for Turbulent Days We are living in interesting times. Whatever your take on current events, however much or little the global turmoil and tumults have affected you personally, it is likely you feel at the least a bit of consternation, perhaps even pique. My day-to-day existence has altered little.… Continue reading Fantasy and Sword-and-Sorcery for Turbulent Days. Resurrected Days.
Vitally Haggard. Resurrected Post.
May 17, 2020 Vitally Haggard A few words on Haggard. No, not Merle Haggard, though that man is worthy of a torrent of digital ink. I’m writing here about Henry Rider Haggard, traveler, lawyer, author. I’m reading Allan Quatermain currently, a book I should have read decades ago. I’m not unfamiliar with Haggard. I finished… Continue reading Vitally Haggard. Resurrected Post.