Saturday 28 February 2015

22) Tarzan and the Foreign Legion (1947)


When the American bomber crashed in the jungles of enemy-held Sumatra, the survivors faced the perils of a completely unknown world . . . and the RAF colonel who had flown with them as observer seemed to compound their danger by going mad—stripping to a loincloth and throwing away his weapons except for his knife. But for Colonel John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, the hazards of wild beasts and a remorseless enemy were a familiar and joyously accepted challenge — a chance to return to his true identity of Tarzan of the Apes. Gathering a motley crew of allies of many nations, Tarzan worked a terrible vengeance on the occupying Japanese, led an epic trek to the coast — to a final ocean rendezvous with enemies human and inhuman.

Written in 1944 but not published until 1947 (and with no magazine serialization), this was the last Tarzan book by Edgar Rice Burroughs, penned only a few years before his death. It`s also one of the very best in the entire series.

Stationed as a war correspondent in Hawaii, Burroughs broke with tradition in many ways with this book. Where the preceding dozen novels had become increasingly repetitious and predictable, here there are real surprises. The writing style is crisp, wry, with sharper pacing and neater characterizaton than had been seen in years. With this last book, Burroughs seemed to take a fresh look at his most famous creation and see him from a different angle.

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First Book Edition: ERB, Inc. Tarzana: August 22, 1947; 314 pages ~ Print Run: 25,700 copies. John Coleman Burroughs: cover and five interiors.
We followed this 1947 first edition.

Press button to download the book in epub format.

http://www.pankoland.com/Books/Burroughs-22_Tarzan_and_the_Foreign_Legion_MDP.epub

Friday 20 February 2015

21) Tarzan the Magnificent (1939)


The half-dead American raved of an unknown city...of women warriors, ruled by a malignant wizard...of a great diamond, the Gonfal, with strange hypnotic powers . . . of a long-lost English nobleman...of the savage queen who had betrayed her duty and helped him to escape. Tarzan put little faith in Stanley Wood's story — until he saw the power of the Gonfal draw the American in spite of himself back into the clutches of the Amazons of the Kaji. Then it was that the ape-man became once more the implacable hunter — for, though he cared nothing for diamonds or lost civilizations, no one might be allowed to harm a man the Lord of the Jungle had taken under his protection.
from Ballantine Books

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ERB commenced writing September 1935.
Originally published in two parts: "Tarzan and the Magic Men" (1936) ~ begun in September 1935 and "Tarzan and the Elephant Men" (1937) ~ Begun December 1936.
First Published by "Argosy Weekly": 1936: September 19, 26, October 3. "Tarzan and the Magic Men" ~ longer than the published novel. Hubert Rogers: instalment one cover Unknown artist: one interior per issue.
"Blue Book of Fiction and Adventure": 1937: November, December ~ 1938: January. "Tarzan
and the Elephant Men". Herbert Morton Stoops (Jeremy Cannon): first instalment cover and many interiors.
First Book Edition: "ERB, Inc. Tarzana": September 25, 1939 ~ 318 pages ~ Print Run: 3,500 copies. Art: John Coleman Burroughs: cover and five interior b/w plates.
We followed this 1939 first edition.

Press button to download the book in epub format.

http://www.pankoland.com/Books/Burroughs-21_Tarzan the Magnificent_MDP.epub

Saturday 14 February 2015

20) Tarzan and the Forbidden City (1938)


A young man named Brian Gregory has disappeared in Africa, looking for the fabled Father of Diamonds; his father and sister want to go rescue him, and they can only enlist Tarzan's help because they know Captain Paul D'Arnot. By chance, Tarzan and Brian are lookalike, thus making some vile scoundrels to think Tarzan is Brian. They are also heading out after the big old diamond.
The Forbidden city is again in a secret valley, with two cities Ashair and Thobos in war, because of the Father of Diamonds. Tarzan has to fight many times against different foes, once even a man-size unicorn seahorse!
from www.edgarriceburroughs.com

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Written between October 10 and November 18, 1937.
First Published by "Argosy Weekly": 1938: March 19, 26; April: 2, 9, 16, 23 under the title: "The Red Star of Tarzan". Rudolph Belarski: first installment cover ~ Samuel Cahan: one interior per issue.
First Book Edition: "ERB, Inc. Tarzana": September 15, 1938 ~ 315 pages ~ Print Run: 3,500 copies. Art: John Coleman Burroughs: cover, colour frontispiece and four interiors.

We followed this 1938 first edition.

Press button to download the book in epub format.

http://www.pankoland.com/Books/Burroughs-20_Tarzan_and_the_Forbiden_City_MDP.epub

Saturday 7 February 2015

19) Tarzan's Quest (1936)


Tarzan of the Apes had heard only rumors of the Kavuru—a race of strange white savages. But when they stole the daughter of Muviro, chief of the Waziri, the Lord of the Jungle set out in search of their legend-shrouded village on a mission of rescue — or, if need be, of revenge. He could not know that his trail ran close to that of a strange group of survivors of a crashed plane — including his beloved mate, Jane — who struggled for survival against the terrors of Africa and an even worse danger within their own party. But the stranded Europeans and the ape-man were destined for a rendezvous of blood and fire — in the dreaded temple of the Kavuru.
from Ballantine Books

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Written May 1934 - January 1935 ~ working title Tarzan and Jane.
First Published by "Blue Book Magazine": 1935: October, November, December ~ 1936: January, February, March. Herbert Morton Stoops: first installment cover. Frank Hoban: many interiors.
First Book Edition: "ERB, Inc. Tarzana": September 1, 1936 ~ 318 pages. Print Run: 5,000 copies. J. Allen St. John: wrap-around cover and five b/w interior plates.
We followed this 1936 first edition.

Press button to download the book in epub format.

http://www.pankoland.com/Books/Burroughs-19_Tarzan's Quest_MDP.epub

Sunday 1 February 2015

18) Tarzan and the Leopard Men (1935)


The steel-clawed Leopard Men were looking for victims for their savage rites. The secret cult struck terror in the hearts of all the villagers. Only Orando of the Utengi dared to declare war on them. And with Orando went Tarzan of the Apes—but a strangely changed Tarzan, who now believed that he was Muzimo, the spirit or demon who had been Orando's ancestor. There were traitors among Orando's people. And in the village of the Leopard Men was Kali Bwana, the white girl who had come to Africa to find a missing man. Only Tarzan could save her....
from Ballantine Books
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Written by ERB between July and September 1931
First Published by "Blue Book Magazine": 1932 August - December ~ 1933 January. Joseph Chenoweth: Tarzan cover art on the first three issues ~ Frank Hoban: numerous interiors.
First Book Edition: "ERB Inc. Tarzana": September 7, 1935 ~ 332 pages ~ Print Run: 7,500 copies. Art: J. Allen St. John: wrap-around cover and four interiors.
We followed this 1935 first edition.

Press button to download the book in epub format.

http://www.pankoland.com/Books/Burroughs-18_Tarzan And The Leopard Men_MDP.epub