New Releases by L. Sprague

Two of the most famous contributors to the Conan legend write the official novel of CONAN THE BARBARIAN, the seminal fantasy film by John Milius. In 1982, Robert E. Howard''s iconic literary antihero, CONAN, slashed his way from page to screen after a perilous decades-long journey. With its potent mix of epic vistas and bloody battles, CONAN THE BARBARIAN thrilled moviegoers around the world and launched the film career of Arnold Schwarzenegger. To mark the occasion, CONAN authors and editors L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter were tasked with translating the visions of filmmakers John Milius and Oliver Stone back to the printed page in this rollicking novelization of the original screenplay. Heroic Signatures is proud to bring this sublime work of sword and sorcery back into print!

Viele Jahrtausende vor unserer Zeitrechnung bildeten Europa, Asien und Afrika noch eine zusammenhängende Landmasse: den hyborischen Kontinent. Es ist die Welt und die Zeit von Conan, dem Abenteurer aus dem düsteren nördlichen Grenzland Cimmerien, der die Steppen und Dschungel, die Gebirge und Ebenen auf der Jagd nach Beute durchstreift. Sein Weg führt ihn in märchenhafte und sagenumwobene Länder, in prächtige Städte und an glanzvolle Höfe, an denen Könige oder mächtige Zauberer herrschen. Immer wieder versucht man ihn, den einfältigen Barbaren, zu übertölpeln und zu versklaven. Doch mit seinen gewaltigen Körperkräften und der unglaublichen Schnelligkeit seiner Waffen sprengt er alle Ketten und lehrt seine Gegner das Fürchten... Nur eine Flucht bei Nacht und Nebel rettet den königlich turanischen Hauptmann Conan vor dem tödlichen Verrat einer schönen Frau. In der sagenumwobenen Felsenstadt Yezud verdingt er sich als Tempelschmied. Eine grausige Entdeckung führt ihn auf die Schliche des schurkischen Hohenpriesters...

Althea Merrick, Missionarin einer obskuren Sekte, reist nach Krishna, um ihrer Kirche neue Gläubige zuzuführen. Statt Helden zu bekehren, gerät sie jedoch in die Fänge des Sadisten Afanasi Gorchakow, der sie mit einem faulen Trick zu seiner rechtmäßig Angetrauten macht. Verzweifelt sucht die unfreiwillige Ehefrau ihr Heil in überstürzter Flucht... und landet in den Armen von Yuruzh, des Häuptlings der genialisch begabten Geschwänzten Krishaner... Lyon Sprague de Camp, der große Altmeister der Fantasy und der Science Fiction, veröffentlichte sein augenzwinkerndes Abenteuer-Garn vom Planeten Krishna im Verlauf von vierzig Jahren in den verschiedensten Magazinen. Der Apex-Verlag präsentiert den vollständigen Zyklus als durchgesehene Neuausgabe.

Armchair Fiction presents extra large paperback collections of the best in classic science fiction short stories. It''s time for our sixteenth collection of vintage Science Fiction Gems, filled to the brim with great tales by top authors: L. Sprague de Camp, Milton Lesser, Chad Oliver, Carl Jacobi, Rog Phillips, Stanley Mullen and more. For interplanetary adventure with a bit of a twist at the end, check out "Dead on Departure" and "The Soaring Statue." In "The Fifth Stone" and "The Outvaders" man''s willingness to accept his own mortality is clearly demonstrated. If you enjoy your sci-fi served up with a sprinkling of grimness and horror, then "Specimen" and "The Tomb from Beyond" are tales to make you shudder. Both "Night" and "Revolt on Mercury" testify to man''s willingness to buck interstellar government guidelines-often at great peril! So make no mistake about it, all these stories and more make up another can''t-put-it-down edition of Armchair Fiction''s Science Fiction Gems. Here''s the lineup:THE FIFTH STONE, by Alfred CoppelDEAD ON DEPARTURE, by Milton LesserSPECIMEN, by C. C. MacAppTEACH ME TO KILL, by Rog PhillipsTHE SOARING STATUE, by L. Sprague de CampNIGHT, by Chad Oliver THE TOMB FROM BEYOND, by Carl JacobiTHE OUTVADERS, by Joe L. HensleyREVOLT ON MERCURY, by Stanley MullenTO THE VICTORS, by H. B. HickeyTHE DOOR, by Clifton B. Kruse

"A tale of high adventure, rich in historical lore and erudite in the telling. Of Mr. de Camp''s ... novels, this may well be the most ambitious and quite possibly the best."-Publishers Weekly *** The Golden Wind is the last of the five classic historicals de Camp wrote (both historically and chronologically). *** The novel tells of the early adventures of Eudoxus of Cyzicus and Hippalus in their original voyages from Egypt to India by sea. *** Eudoxus was a Greek navigator who is credited with exploring and mapping the Arabian sea for Egyptian ruler Ptolemy VIII, and Hippalus is, according to legend, the captain of Eudoxus'' ship during these explorations. *** Following the successful exploration of the route to India, Eudoxus decides to break the Egyptian monopoly on trade with India by sailing around Africa, and encounters a myriad of different adventures and misfortunes as their ship attempts to circumnavigate the great continent.

Stories contained in this book: The Swords of Faerie Jack of all Arts: William Morris Two Men in One: Lord Dunsany Eldritch Yankee Gentleman: H. P. Lovecraft Superman in a Bowler: E. R. Eddison The Miscast Barbarian: Robert E. Howard Parallel Worlds: Fletcher Pratt Sierran Shaman: Clark Ashton Smith Merlin in Tweeds: J. R. R. Tolkien The Architect of Camelot: T. H. White Conan''s Compeers

Copy from the 1975 Owlswick Press print edition: L. Sprague de Camp''s original Science-Fiction Handbook, published in 1953 and long out of print, has been favourably remembered by a whole generation of science fiction readers and aspiring writers. Over the years, at convention after convention, fans have urged its reissue. Teachers of courses on imaginative fiction have begged for the book; one planned to reproduce the manual for his creative writing course until he learned that the material was under copyright Because of this enduring interest, the present book came into being. Completely rewritten by de Camp and his wife Catherine, Science Fiction Handbook, Revised serves two purposes. It introduces the general reader to the fascinating field of imaginative fiction. The first two chapters describe the growth of science fiction from Aristophanes to Asimov and give the history of its parent literature, fantasy, which is as old as cavemen and as young as tomorrow. The rest of the book affords the apprentice writer an overview of the pleasures and problems of writing imaginative fiction an teachers him the many and varied skills such writing requires. There are chapters on setting the scene, plotting the story and writing dialogue. Other chapters are devoted to showing the creative writer how to sore his literary works, keep records for tax purposes, market a story, deal with editors and agents, read the fine print in contracts and bargain with publishers. Finally, there are helpful hints for the successful writer about relating to his community, handling publicity and melding the needs of the creative artists with those of a successful human being and family member. In short, here is a wealth of information on the techniques of writing fiction. Here, too, is the wisdom distilled by the de Camps in the course of their long writing careers. And, for those who have no desire to write, here is a chance to see what the writer''s world is really like and to learn something about the remarkable literature that we call science fiction and fantasy.

Set in the time of Dionysios I of Syracuse, at the beginning of the 4th century BC, Th e Arrows of Hercules tells the tale of Zopyros of Tarentum, an engineer who invents an improved type of catapult. *** He is quickly drafted by Dionysios into Syracuse''s war efforts against Carthage, which sets him on a series of adventures including a battle against Etruscan pirates and a kidnapping in Carthage. *** L. Sprague''s meticulous attention to historical accuracy makes this a remarkable read which entertains as much as it teaches us about fascinating events that shaped the course of history. *** ---------- "Exciting and quite believable adventures."-Classical World ---------- "Rousing piece of fi ction...pace is rapid and unrelenting." -Th e Arizona Republic ---------- "Highly Recommended...intriguing novel."-Library Journal

From the vaults of the SF Gateway, the most comprehensive digital library of classic SFF titles ever assembled, comes an ideal introduction to the varied work of author, editor and critic, L. Sprague de Camp. Although arguably best known for his continuation of Robert E. Howard''s Conan stories, de Camp was an important figure in the formative period of modern SF, alongside the likes of Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein. In a career spanning seven decades, he won the HUGO, WORLD FANTASY LIFE ACHIEVEMENT and SFWA GRAND MASTER AWARDs. This omnibus collects three previously out-of-print classics: LEST DARKNESS FALL, ROGUE QUEEN and THE TRITONIAN RING. Lest Darkness Fall: The Roman Empire had spread order, knowledge and civilisation throughout the ancient world. When Rome fell, the light of reason flickered out across the Empire. The Dark Ages had begun; they would last a thousand years. Could a man from the 20th century prevent the fall of Rome? Rogue Queen: Decades before a certain five-year voyage, L. Sprague de Camp sent a spirited crew to a strange and distant world, where their meeting with its inhabitants created chaos in local politics, upset the balance of power and generally created the most entertaining havoc. The Tritonian Ring: The gods of Poseidonis - or Atlantis - were powerful and real. Now they were determined to destroy the kingdom ruled by the father of Prince Vakar, the one man whose mind they could not read. The only way to save the kingdom was to discover that thing which the gods feared most.

Bessas of Zariaspa is a young officer in the Immortals regiment, sworn to protect and obey his King at all costs. The King wishes immortality and to that end tasks Bessas to find items that make an immortality potion, including the blood of a dragon and the ear of a king. *** The Dragon of the Ishtar Gate is a swashbuckling historical novel with larger-than-life characters, set in a detailed historical background that only a scholar such as de Camp can create.

Aristotle and the Gun is L. Sprague de Camp''s tour de force story of time travel and alternate history. A young scientist, Sherman Weaver, steals a prototype time machine and, without authorization he throws caution to the winds of time and goes back in time to conduct an experiment to see what will happen if small changes are made to history. This seminal work in the science fiction field will stay with you long after the final page is turned.

DIVLeading authority examines facts and fancies behind the Atlantis theme in history, science, and literature. Sources include Plato, Thomas More, K. T. Frost, and many other citations, both famous and lesser-known. Related legends are also recounted and refuted, and reports document attempts to prove the continent''s existence, including accounts of actual expeditions. /div

Rogue Queen is a ground-breaking novel by L. Sprague de Camp that was one of the first science fiction books to deal with sexual themes, paving the way for more daring works by future authors. *** Part of the Viagens Interplanetarias series, the story takes place on a planet circling the star Lalande 21185, also known as Ormazd. When humans arrive on the planet they find a hive-like society with a hyper-fertile queen being serviced by male drones. *** All the other females of the species are infertile, or so it is believed. However, when one of the worker females rebels she discovers that the workers infertility is largely a result of the diet they follow.

Time and Chance is the autobiography of Hugo, World Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master Award-winning author, L. Sprague de Camp. It is a fascinating insight into a man who began writing in the late 1930''s and remained an active voice in the genre up until his death in the last year of the twentieth century, and who was a prime mover in the formation of the fields of Science Fiction and Fantasy as we know them today.

The Mathematics of Magic was probably the greatest discovery of the ages - at least Professor Harold Shea thought so. With the proper equations, he could instantly transport himself back in time to all the wondrous lands of ancient legend. But slips in time were a hazard, and Shea''s magic did not always work - at least, not quite as he expected . . . The Incomplete Enchanter is the first in L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt''s much-loved Compleat Enchanter series.

On Midsummer''s Eve, as everybody knows, you should leave a bowl of milk out for the fairies. Unfortunately - or fortunately - Fred Barber, an American diplomat convalescing in Yorkshire, didn''t take the obligation with proper seriousness. He swapped the milk for a stiff dose of Scotch. So he had only himself to blame if the fairies got a bit muddled. Barber found himself in an Old English Fairyland. At the Court of King Oberon, to be precise. The natural - or supernatural - laws there were, to say the least of it, distinctly odd. Things kept changing. This made the mssion with which he was entrusted, as the price of his return to the normal world, even harder than he expected. He had to penetrate the Kobold Hills, where it was said that swords were being made, and discover if an ancient enemy had returned. He was given a magic wand - but not told how to use it. Through the fields and forests he went, meeting dryads and sprites, ogres and two-headed eagles, on the way. Danger, seduction and magic lay all around him. And, as the adventure continued, somehow it darkened and became more seriousness. At the end of Fred Barber''s quest lay a shattering revelation.

Never Trust a Demon Three years earlier, Jorian had been the crowned King of Xylar. But the laws of Xylar decreed that each randomly chosen King must be beheaded at the end of a five-year reign. Jorian had a prejudice against losing his head. With the aid of the aged wizard Karadur, he managed to flee. Unfortunately he had not been able to bring his beloved wife, Queen Estrildis, with him, nor had he yet been able to find a means of freeing her from the palace in Xylar City. Now, however, he felt that his luck was about to change. He and the aged wizard Karadur were being flown through the night air in a great copper bathtub, powered by a demon under Karadur''s control. Ahead of them lay Xylar City. There, while the demon kept the bathtub hovering above the palace, Jorian could let down a rope and rescue Estrildis. It should have been a foolproof scheme¿

Against the Fall of Night The Roman Empire had spread order, knowledge, and civilisation throughout the ancient world. When Rome fell, the light of reason flickered out across the Empire. The Dark Ages had begun; they would last a thousand years. Could a man from the 20th century prevent the fall of Rome? When lightening struck and he was hurled backward into the sixth century, the question became anything but academic to Martin Padway, but even forearmed with a knowledge of 20th century technology and of events to come, what could one man do? But Padway must try, lest darkness fall.

The Mathematics of Magic was probably the greatest discovery of the ages - at least Professor Harold Shea thought so. With the proper equations, he could instantly transport himself back in time to all the wondrous lands of ancient legend. But slips in time were a hazard, and Shea''s magic did not always work - at least, not quite as he expected . . . The Wall of Serpents is the third in L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt''s much-loved Compleat Enchanter series.

The Glory that was - or the Glory that wasn''t? Knut Bulnes had considered Vasil IX, World Emperor of the 27th century, to be a harmless eccentric until Imperial decree completely sealed off Greece behind a force wall and people of Greek descent suddenly began disappearing from the rest of the world - including the wife of Bulnes''s friend Wiyem Flin. Bulnes reluctantly agreed to help Flin find his wife, and the two managed to get inside the force wall only to find themselves in the Classical Greece of Socrates and Euripides - and the target of a man-hunt not only by the soldiers of Perikles, but also by the unpleasant characters with machine guns.

Percy Mjipa, diplomat-adventurer, and Alicia Dyckman, interplanetary runaway, both aliens on the alien world of Krishna, are swept up in wildly treacherous - and wildly funny - imperial intrigue. . . . The Prisoner of Zhamanak is the fourth of L. Sprague de Camp''s Krishna book - interplanetary romance in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs'' Martian Tales.

Welcome back to the planet Krishna - a wilderness of blue woods under three moons, where square-riggers sail the treacherous inland seas, where fierce humanoid natives with feathery antennae cross swords in endless war, and where a Terran outside the confines of the spaceport is strictly on his own! The Tower of Zanid is the seventh book of L. Sprague de Camp''s Viagens Interplanetarias series - interplanetary romance in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs'' Martian Tales.

The Undesired Princess Rollin Hobart thought he was a logical, sensible man - until he was transported to a world that was perfectly logical but not sensible in the least. The Enchanted Bunny Joe Johnson thought he had his hands full ghostwriting a Senators memoirs - but that was before he fell into the middle of a fairy tale, complete with wizard and fire-breathing dragon. Two reluctant heroes using their modern knowledge but finding that things don''t work quite the way they''re used to. But they''ve got to try, because nobody else can save the world - and unless Hobart and Joe succeed they and their new friends are going to be horribly and realistically dead.

Twenty-five men and women against a world of evolution gone mad! Here is the vivid story of their adventures and terrors - the monster in the forest - the city of giant beavers - and the secret of the incredible race that had supplanted mankind.

The Weirdest Drinking Establishment in the Universe Gavagan''s Bar - presided over by Mr. Aloysius P. Cohan, bartender. Where you will meet such not-so-regular customers as: Councilman Maguire, who brought his own leprechaun with him from Ireland. Mrs. Vacarescu and her husband Putzi, the were-dachshund. Mr. Murdoch, who borrowed a very small dragon to rid his apartment of mice and lost it. And assorted witches, magicians, devils, dryads, and the occasional demigod.

The Mathematics of Magic was probably the greatest discovery of the ages - at least Professor Harold Shea thought so. With the proper equations, he could instantly transport himself back in time to all the wondrous lands of ancient legend. But slips in time were a hazard, and Shea''s magic did not always work - at least, not quite as he expected . . . The Castle of Iron is the second in L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt''s much-loved Compleat Enchanter series.

The Best Mislaid Plans Wizardly schemes, Jorian knew went oft a-gley. But this time the wizard''s plan seemed simple. Since ancient prophecy foretold that the clocks would save Iraz, Jorian must repair the great tower clocks that his father had built. If everything went well, Karadur could then plan the rescue of Jorian''s beloved wife, Queen Estrildis from Xylar. And Jorian would be appointed Clockmaster of Iraz, a position that would require him to break a pirate siege, placate an amorous priestess, and stay at least one step ahead of the Royal Guard of Xylar - where he was still wanted as the star sttraction of a royal beheading!

Welcome back to the planet Krishna - a wilderness of blue woods under three moons, where square-riggers sail the treacherous inland seas, where fierce humanoid natives with feathery antennae cross swords in endless war, and where a Terran outside the confines of the spaceport is strictly on his own! The Virgin of Zesh is the fifth of L. Sprague de Camp''s Krishna book - interplanetary romance in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs'' Martian Tales.

The Producer thinks he''s God''s gift to women - whether they''re human or alien. The Director is delighted to work on a wild and woolly planet, where he can really behave like Attila the Hun. Some of the local natives are trying to steal the film crew blind - while others plan all-out war. And if that weren''t enough, every time Tour Guide Fergus Reith turns around, he stumbles over another of his ex wives or girlfriends! The Swords of Zinjaban is the fourth of L. Sprague de Camp''s Krishna book - interplanetary romance in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs'' Martian Tales.

Meet Victor Hasselborg, easily the most miserable Private Investigator in the entire galaxy. More comfortable with the dull routine of investigating insurance frauds than interstellar adventure, Hasselborg is bound by duty to chase a runaway heiress across known space to the primitive world called Krishna. Clad in kilt and sword, his hair dyed green, riding a buggy driven by a six legged monster of a beast, Hasselborg''s quest takes him through the volatile world of feudal Krishna politics and into the presence of . . . the Queen of Zamba. The Queen of Zamba is the first of L. Sprague de Camp''s Krishna book - interplanetary romance in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs'' Martian Tales.