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Tarzan #12
Tarzan and the Lost Empire
Book 12 in the 25 book series of Tarzan stories.
NKIMA danced excitedly upon the naked, brown shoulder of his master. He chattered and scolded, now looking up inquiringly into Tarzan's face and then off into the jungle.
"Something is coming, Bwana," said Muviro, sub-chief of the Waziri. "Nkima has heard it."
"And Tarzan," said the ape-man.
"The big Bwana's ears are as keen as the ears of Bara the antelope," said Muviro.
"Had they not been, Tarzan would not be here today," replied the ape-man, with a smile. "He would not have grown to manhood had not Kala, his mother, taught him to use all of the senses that Mulungu gave him."
"What comes?" asked Muviro.
"A party of men," replied Tarzan.
"Perhaps they are not friendly," suggested the African. "Shall I warn the warriors?"
Tarzan glanced about the little camp where a score of his fighting men were busy preparing their evening meal and saw that, as was the custom of the Waziri, their weapons were in order and at hand.
"No," he said. "It will, I believe, be unnecessary, as these people who are approaching do not come stealthily as enemies would, nor are their numbers so great as to cause us any apprehension."
But Nkima, a born pessimist, expected only the worst, and as the approaching party came nearer his excitement increased. He leaped from Tarzan's shoulder to the ground, jumped up and down several times and then, springing back to Tarzan's side, seized his arm and attempted to drag him to his feet.
"Run, run!" he cried, in the language of the apes. "Strange Gomangani are coming. They will kill little Nkima."
"Do not be afraid, Nkima," said the ape-man. "Tarzan and Muviro will not let the strangers hurt you."
NKIMA danced excitedly upon the naked, brown shoulder of his master. He chattered and scolded, now looking up inquiringly into Tarzan's face and then off into the jungle.
"Something is coming, Bwana," said Muviro, sub-chief of the Waziri. "Nkima has heard it."
"And Tarzan," said the ape-man.
"The big Bwana's ears are as keen as the ears of Bara the antelope," said Muviro.
"Had they not been, Tarzan would not be here today," replied the ape-man, with a smile. "He would not have grown to manhood had not Kala, his mother, taught him to use all of the senses that Mulungu gave him."
"What comes?" asked Muviro.
"A party of men," replied Tarzan.
"Perhaps they are not friendly," suggested the African. "Shall I warn the warriors?"
Tarzan glanced about the little camp where a score of his fighting men were busy preparing their evening meal and saw that, as was the custom of the Waziri, their weapons were in order and at hand.
"No," he said. "It will, I believe, be unnecessary, as these people who are approaching do not come stealthily as enemies would, nor are their numbers so great as to cause us any apprehension."
But Nkima, a born pessimist, expected only the worst, and as the approaching party came nearer his excitement increased. He leaped from Tarzan's shoulder to the ground, jumped up and down several times and then, springing back to Tarzan's side, seized his arm and attempted to drag him to his feet.
"Run, run!" he cried, in the language of the apes. "Strange Gomangani are coming. They will kill little Nkima."
"Do not be afraid, Nkima," said the ape-man. "Tarzan and Muviro will not let the strangers hurt you."
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1928
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1152 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Rice Burroughs
2,850 books2,738 followersEdgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 20, 2020
"I should never give up hope until I were dead - and I have never been dead."
To me, this was one of the best in the series up to now and I believe it's the most action packed story as well, compared to previous in the series.
Story holds no particular connection to the previous books except for the general stuff. However, it does not lose the tough that seems to inherent to Tarzan nor does it fail to submerge the reader in an ever entertaining series of events.
One could argue ending is too perfect and not realistic at all, but then that is the way of this series. I personally, find it great. And as usual, the epic ending is still there.
"the history of ancient Rome together with half-formulated plans for escape were dissipated from his mind by the girl's sweet smile, as is a morning mist by the rising sun."
"It is the summit of the next ridge that ever lures the explorer onward."
To me, this was one of the best in the series up to now and I believe it's the most action packed story as well, compared to previous in the series.
Story holds no particular connection to the previous books except for the general stuff. However, it does not lose the tough that seems to inherent to Tarzan nor does it fail to submerge the reader in an ever entertaining series of events.
One could argue ending is too perfect and not realistic at all, but then that is the way of this series. I personally, find it great. And as usual, the epic ending is still there.
"the history of ancient Rome together with half-formulated plans for escape were dissipated from his mind by the girl's sweet smile, as is a morning mist by the rising sun."
"It is the summit of the next ridge that ever lures the explorer onward."
September 26, 2021
The 12th Tarzan novel is another themed Lost Civilization story, this time involving a forgotten remnant of the Roman Empire. Tarzan goes in search of an old friend's missing son and trails him to the lost society. As soon as I realized he was headed toward an encounter with a Roman culture, I was hoping for a gladiator battle and I was not disappointed. There is a lot of action in this one but those gladiator battles with Tarzan and a group of great apes was phenomenal.
First published in 1928 in serial form in the pulp magazine, "Blue Book", the novel is notable for the introduction of Nkima, who serves as Tarzan's monkey companion in this book and a number of later Tarzan stories. No, not Cheetah as the movies would have you believe. We also get to see Muviro who we first encountered in Tarzan and the Golden Lion, as sub-chief of Tarzan's Waziri warriors.
Despite the era in which these books were written, they're always good reads.
First published in 1928 in serial form in the pulp magazine, "Blue Book", the novel is notable for the introduction of Nkima, who serves as Tarzan's monkey companion in this book and a number of later Tarzan stories. No, not Cheetah as the movies would have you believe. We also get to see Muviro who we first encountered in Tarzan and the Golden Lion, as sub-chief of Tarzan's Waziri warriors.
Despite the era in which these books were written, they're always good reads.
July 20, 2023
Awfully similar in many ways (including being one of my favorites) to Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle.
This time around, the distressed individual is a German, one Erich von Harben (son of the von Harben family who will be retroactively introduced in Tarzan And The Tarzan Twins With Jad-Bal-Ja The Golden Lion) who was chasing down yet another rumor about a lost city of white folks somewhere in the middle of Africa.
And this time around, the valley cities was settled by Romans some 1800 years ago, and again there are two cities in a constant state of war with each other, and von Harben's arrival tips the balance, and if you think you can read a Tarzan novel with a lost colony of ancient Romans and not have Tarzan end up battling gladiators in the arena, well, then, I really don't know what to tell you.
And if that idea doesn't make your blood sing, well, then, we're very different people, you and I.
This time around, the distressed individual is a German, one Erich von Harben (son of the von Harben family who will be retroactively introduced in Tarzan And The Tarzan Twins With Jad-Bal-Ja The Golden Lion) who was chasing down yet another rumor about a lost city of white folks somewhere in the middle of Africa.
And this time around, the valley cities was settled by Romans some 1800 years ago, and again there are two cities in a constant state of war with each other, and von Harben's arrival tips the balance, and if you think you can read a Tarzan novel with a lost colony of ancient Romans and not have Tarzan end up battling gladiators in the arena, well, then, I really don't know what to tell you.
And if that idea doesn't make your blood sing, well, then, we're very different people, you and I.
September 14, 2017
So once again Tarzan has found a lost city in Africa. Man, there sure a lot of lost cities there. This one is ancient Romans, and Tarzan discovers the cities while he's searching for the lost son of a friend. Overall not bad but honestly it just feels like we've been here before. Two lost cities at war, Tarzan in the middle, yadda yadda. That being said, the fact it was ancient Romans was pretty cool and the story wasn't bad. I guess it's a matter of either you like Tarzan or you don't, because the stories don't really vary all that much it seems.
July 27, 2008
Another lost city story. This time it's Romans.
January 5, 2026
Another mediocre entry in the Tarzan series. I'm determined to read all 24 books, though, even though the quality seems to be on the decline. Hopefully there might be some hidden gems later on.
September 22, 2023
Mr. Burroughs really leans into his formula here. A lost civilization that has split and is at war with itself, lovers who can't be together, and Tarzan who brings it all together in the end. You might think this formula would get old, and perhaps it does at some point, but not yet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2014
This volume in the Tarzan series appealed to me because I've got a soft spot for lost civilization tales.
The jungle lord is approached by one of his civilized (European) friends, and asked to search a vast canyon where the guy's son, Erich Von Harben, is believed to have disappeared in search of a "lost tribe of Israel." What Von Harben found instead were two rival Roman city-states, perfectly preserved since the canyon was colonized in the 1st Century. Not a bad find, actually, and Von Harben also discovers love at first sight with a noble Roman girl, as can only happen in a classic pulp. But alas, not everything is sunshine and puppies in this anachronistic canyon, and Von Harben finds himself in prison due to corrupt politicians and their paranoia.
Tarzan, who entered the other end of the canyon, has also suffered a mishap that landed him in prison in the rival city-state (one is Castra Sanguinarious and one is Castrum Mare). Both Tarzan and Von Harben find allies among the political prisoners in their respective cities, but time is running out for the Ape Man to rescue Von Harben before the tyrannical Caesar has the suspicious outsider killed for sport in the arena.
Burroughs was fairly enlightened for the time in which he wrote (the first edition of Lost Empire was printed in the 1920s), but I still cringed a bit at the underlying attitude toward black Africans. You've got to take those factors into account when you read something this old. Something else I struggled with were the names. So many characters had authentic-sounding Roman names my head was swimming trying to keep track of them. Another annoyance was due, I think, to the fact that this book was originally written as serialized pulp--each episode a given length according to the requirements of the periodical it was written for, with a cliffhanger ending to be continued next issue: Tarzan came off almost skitzophrenic due to his changing opinions about whether he could escape and when he should attempt escape, etc. And one final criticism I'll offer is that for a pulp tale about a feral savage raised by gorillas, in an adversarial position vis-a-vis hordes of sword-wielding legionaires, there wasn't nearly as much action as you might expect. And what action there was disappointed me a bit--particularly in the arena.
I must give credit where it's due, though: when Tarzan is paired against a gladiator, his goose is cooked until the fortuitous intervention of a newfound Roman friend. Tarzan is a bad dude, but not invincible. He can't match up against a master of single combat who lives or dies by the sword just because he is the hero of the story, knife or no knife; ape-like agility or no ape-like agility. Weapons and all other factors being equal, the only individual who could have stood a chance against an experienced gladiator was another experienced gladiator, and Burroughs knew this. Thank-you, Edgar. No eye-rolling from me on this aspect.
This concept had heaps of potential, but fell a bit short in my opinion. I still hope to read Tarzan and the Ant Men some day.
The jungle lord is approached by one of his civilized (European) friends, and asked to search a vast canyon where the guy's son, Erich Von Harben, is believed to have disappeared in search of a "lost tribe of Israel." What Von Harben found instead were two rival Roman city-states, perfectly preserved since the canyon was colonized in the 1st Century. Not a bad find, actually, and Von Harben also discovers love at first sight with a noble Roman girl, as can only happen in a classic pulp. But alas, not everything is sunshine and puppies in this anachronistic canyon, and Von Harben finds himself in prison due to corrupt politicians and their paranoia.
Tarzan, who entered the other end of the canyon, has also suffered a mishap that landed him in prison in the rival city-state (one is Castra Sanguinarious and one is Castrum Mare). Both Tarzan and Von Harben find allies among the political prisoners in their respective cities, but time is running out for the Ape Man to rescue Von Harben before the tyrannical Caesar has the suspicious outsider killed for sport in the arena.
Burroughs was fairly enlightened for the time in which he wrote (the first edition of Lost Empire was printed in the 1920s), but I still cringed a bit at the underlying attitude toward black Africans. You've got to take those factors into account when you read something this old. Something else I struggled with were the names. So many characters had authentic-sounding Roman names my head was swimming trying to keep track of them. Another annoyance was due, I think, to the fact that this book was originally written as serialized pulp--each episode a given length according to the requirements of the periodical it was written for, with a cliffhanger ending to be continued next issue: Tarzan came off almost skitzophrenic due to his changing opinions about whether he could escape and when he should attempt escape, etc. And one final criticism I'll offer is that for a pulp tale about a feral savage raised by gorillas, in an adversarial position vis-a-vis hordes of sword-wielding legionaires, there wasn't nearly as much action as you might expect. And what action there was disappointed me a bit--particularly in the arena.
I must give credit where it's due, though: when Tarzan is paired against a gladiator, his goose is cooked until the fortuitous intervention of a newfound Roman friend. Tarzan is a bad dude, but not invincible. He can't match up against a master of single combat who lives or dies by the sword just because he is the hero of the story, knife or no knife; ape-like agility or no ape-like agility. Weapons and all other factors being equal, the only individual who could have stood a chance against an experienced gladiator was another experienced gladiator, and Burroughs knew this. Thank-you, Edgar. No eye-rolling from me on this aspect.
This concept had heaps of potential, but fell a bit short in my opinion. I still hope to read Tarzan and the Ant Men some day.
June 23, 2019
This is a typical Tarzan novel, and yes it is an acquired taste. The setting is in a hidden valley in the jungles of Africa. Who knows where in Africa, because there is not a great amount of detail about that. A reader must be able to exercise their willing suspension of disbelief, and if they are able to do that, then this is a highly imaginative and enjoyable novel. The novel reads a lot like Edgar Rice Burrough's Martian tales. There's plenty of fighting, and capturing, and plotting. I really like this author, because he is always able to produce an imaginative alternative to reality. He bends the rules a little bit about what is probable so that a person can escape from the confining realities of the known world. This is a good book for people who enjoy action/adventure books. I believe it would also be a good book for young adults. This is the twelfth book in the series, I have read the previous 11, and I fully intend to read the other 12.
April 7, 2016
Another winner in the Tarzan series. No matter what character's point of view ER Burroughs takes, he continually succeeds in captivating me. This book is no exception. Tarzan is fascinating hero, who ventures into a forbidden, untravelled territory in search of his friend's lost son. Nkima makes a memorable and colorful companion, one who is filled with rich histrionics and comic relief. The Roman Legionnaires provide a portrayal which I am sure has been culled relentlessly for Hollywood gladiator movies. If you've seen it in Gladiator, Pompeii and Spartacus, it was ascribed here, first. Well done!
September 22, 2012
I found it very engaging. The thought of having a part of the ancient Roman Civilization still preserved in the middle of a forlorn African valley is very interesting.
January 7, 2026
This was a really fun read. Surprising how well Burroughs captured the essence of Roman culture intrigue and the barbarism of the arena. Tarzan was the Marvel superhero of his day without the gamma radiation poisoning.
February 27, 2024
Just ok. Not my favorite of the Tarzan’s books. This one did not keep my interest like the others.
April 21, 2025
Min første opplevelse av Tarzans eventyr i bokform skuffet ikke. Jeg ble positivt overrasket over hvor lettlest og fengende den var.
Kreativitet, underholdning, krig og historie er fremtredende i denne boken. Noe som gjør den både behagelig, interessant og spennende å lese.
Dette er en eldre bok fra 1928, min utgave var en norsk oversettelse av 1938.
Jeg likte boken godt, og kunne gjerne lest flere bøker i serien, både på norsk og engelsk.
Kreativitet, underholdning, krig og historie er fremtredende i denne boken. Noe som gjør den både behagelig, interessant og spennende å lese.
Dette er en eldre bok fra 1928, min utgave var en norsk oversettelse av 1938.
Jeg likte boken godt, og kunne gjerne lest flere bøker i serien, både på norsk og engelsk.
January 26, 2013
The Romans are coming, the Romans are coming. What a great book.
January 13, 2024
A fun time. Of course it's dated with respect to race issues but surprisingly not horribly so.
August 12, 2024
Tarzan is asked by an old friend to find his lost son. The trail leads to a mysterious mountain range, where deep within is hidden an outpost from Ancient Rome, culturally unchanged since its founders arrived there centuries ago.
ERB clearly loved Ancient Roman history and he peppers the book with all sorts of references and archaeological vocabulary. That's probably the book's biggest strength—the passion for Rome is on display. The story is split between Tarzan and the lost son, following the adventures of both in cities at either end of the "Lost Empire". It's a bit like Tarzan at the Earth's Core that way, with the second character making a romance with a native girl while Tarzan does most of the fighting and escaping (this time in bloody gladiatorial combat!).
However, unlike TatEC, the romance doesn't get a lot of depth. It seems breezy, without the usual misunderstandings that often complicate the courtship of lovers in ERB's books. The two just fall in love and charm each other "off screen". Additionally, the ending is seriously rushed. ERB must have gotten tired of the story after Tarzan's adventure ends and just sped through a sloppy finish for the lost son's story arc. There's virtually no tension in the last two chapters. After all the galloping around with apes and gladiators, the book just fizzled out.
ERB clearly loved Ancient Roman history and he peppers the book with all sorts of references and archaeological vocabulary. That's probably the book's biggest strength—the passion for Rome is on display. The story is split between Tarzan and the lost son, following the adventures of both in cities at either end of the "Lost Empire". It's a bit like Tarzan at the Earth's Core that way, with the second character making a romance with a native girl while Tarzan does most of the fighting and escaping (this time in bloody gladiatorial combat!).
However, unlike TatEC, the romance doesn't get a lot of depth. It seems breezy, without the usual misunderstandings that often complicate the courtship of lovers in ERB's books. The two just fall in love and charm each other "off screen". Additionally, the ending is seriously rushed. ERB must have gotten tired of the story after Tarzan's adventure ends and just sped through a sloppy finish for the lost son's story arc. There's virtually no tension in the last two chapters. After all the galloping around with apes and gladiators, the book just fizzled out.
January 20, 2021
Overall this was a fun, enjoyable and novel read. The last two books have seen a notable change in Burroughs style. That is to say, this was an actual fun and easy flowing story. Yet again a novel premise, a lost group of people hidden away in Africa that have evolved separately and independently from the country of origin. Great idea, fun story, ‘nearly’ hit the Mark, but not fully.
Firstly, instead of a group of Britons from the time of King Richard I, we have a group of Romans speaking Latin. Like with the last book this civilisation has continued as is for a jaw dropping 1,800 years with NO CONTACT with Rome. Why didn’t anyone try to find out why there was no contact with them, re create new trade links etc etc. They happily accept that Rome has forgotten them.
Within this system we have two city states, Whites at the head, mixed race, Africans outside the walls. There are times when such stories do not age well. Wh3n Tarzan was speaking to the Africans before going into the gladiatorial ring for why they don’t overthrow Cesar, they responded that they would ONLY follow a White Leader - Ouch, that is not a great thing to say.
Overall, a much better book, but then again, you must understand that Burroughs DOES NOT know how to conclude a story.
Firstly, instead of a group of Britons from the time of King Richard I, we have a group of Romans speaking Latin. Like with the last book this civilisation has continued as is for a jaw dropping 1,800 years with NO CONTACT with Rome. Why didn’t anyone try to find out why there was no contact with them, re create new trade links etc etc. They happily accept that Rome has forgotten them.
Within this system we have two city states, Whites at the head, mixed race, Africans outside the walls. There are times when such stories do not age well. Wh3n Tarzan was speaking to the Africans before going into the gladiatorial ring for why they don’t overthrow Cesar, they responded that they would ONLY follow a White Leader - Ouch, that is not a great thing to say.
Overall, a much better book, but then again, you must understand that Burroughs DOES NOT know how to conclude a story.
June 28, 2019
Me leí la colección entera de Tarzán cuando iba al colegio, de hecho, los libros eran de la biblioteca del colegio. Después de muchos años, he vuelto con esta historia. Vi en venta, uno de estos libros de segunda mano, y no me pude resistir.
En esta historia, nuestro hombre mono, va en busca del hijo de un amigo, extraviado en una montaña rodeada de supersticiones. Allí encontrará varios pueblos, pero lo más importante de todo, es que va a encontrar dos ciudades enfrentadas, ambas fundadas por una legión del antiguo Imperio romano que se ha quedado perdida en el tiempo.
Sin dudas, fue entretenido reencontrarme con el personaje, acompañarlo en sus aventuras, pero definitivamente, estos libros no han envejecido muy bien. Varios "peros" y sin sentidos, se cruzaron por mi mente mientras me devoraba este tomo. Pese a ello, estoy convencida que para un chico que se adentra en el mundo literario, esta sería una buena lectura.
En esta historia, nuestro hombre mono, va en busca del hijo de un amigo, extraviado en una montaña rodeada de supersticiones. Allí encontrará varios pueblos, pero lo más importante de todo, es que va a encontrar dos ciudades enfrentadas, ambas fundadas por una legión del antiguo Imperio romano que se ha quedado perdida en el tiempo.
Sin dudas, fue entretenido reencontrarme con el personaje, acompañarlo en sus aventuras, pero definitivamente, estos libros no han envejecido muy bien. Varios "peros" y sin sentidos, se cruzaron por mi mente mientras me devoraba este tomo. Pese a ello, estoy convencida que para un chico que se adentra en el mundo literario, esta sería una buena lectura.
November 26, 2025
These books have fully been taken off the rails at this point, but understanding that any form of semi-reality has left this series makes it more fun honestly. Tarzan is now finding himself in search of a man and in trying to find him, he gets caught in the middle of two warring roman outposts. I honestly think that ERB was just placing Tarzan in whatever interested him at the time. In this case is was ancient Rome. The book was kind of boring and a bit slow to start. The characters were hard to distinguish from each other, which made for difficulty understanding the plot at times. Where it got good though, was when Tarzan entered the area and became a gladiator. Some genuinely fun action, with Tarzan at his best. He works best as a character fighting in battles that show how powerful he is and that just his presence makes oppressed people fight for their freedom. That's what the second half of this book was. I had a good time.
August 10, 2018
Tarzan heads into the feared Wiramwazi Mountains to search for and rescue a friend’s archeologist son who disappeared there looking for The Lost Tribe.
Again Tarzan hits his head. I’m surprised he still has any brains left at this point. He is getting older. And there’s still 13 books to go in the series. And I’m surprised that he couldn’t discover Von Harben’s trail from his tent when in previous books he’s followed much weaker and older spoor across miles and miles.
Here we have two different factions of Romans one on each side of a hidden valley who have been secluded for over 1800 years. Remind you of anything? Crusaders perhaps?
Footnote: 1) There are so many inconstancies that I’m constantly having to close my eyes to in order to enjoy these books.
Fave scenes: descending the fissure, the diving competition, the ‘fight’ with the bull apes and Gabula’s revenge.
Again Tarzan hits his head. I’m surprised he still has any brains left at this point. He is getting older. And there’s still 13 books to go in the series. And I’m surprised that he couldn’t discover Von Harben’s trail from his tent when in previous books he’s followed much weaker and older spoor across miles and miles.
Here we have two different factions of Romans one on each side of a hidden valley who have been secluded for over 1800 years. Remind you of anything? Crusaders perhaps?
Footnote: 1) There are so many inconstancies that I’m constantly having to close my eyes to in order to enjoy these books.
Fave scenes: descending the fissure, the diving competition, the ‘fight’ with the bull apes and Gabula’s revenge.
September 3, 2023
En la duodécima novela de Tarzán el protagonista se lanza al rescate del hijo de un amigo y acaba en medio de una anacrónica población romana. Como siempre, ERB nos trae una buena dosis de aventura que entretiene de principio a fin.
Es verdad que el ritmo es un poco menor que en las primeras entregas y que las situaciones no son ya novedosas, pero ha vuelto a dejarme esa satisfacción del tiempo bien invertido, pues me lo he pasado de maravilla leyendo.
La historia va creciendo en interés sin decaer en ningún momento. Si bien le falta brillantez para ser una obra maestra, la prosa simple y directa del autor es adictiva. Se trata sin duda de uno de los maestros del género.
Recomiendo leer al menos una novela de Tarzán. Su mezcla de romance, acción y emoción es difícil que deje frío a nadie.
Es verdad que el ritmo es un poco menor que en las primeras entregas y que las situaciones no son ya novedosas, pero ha vuelto a dejarme esa satisfacción del tiempo bien invertido, pues me lo he pasado de maravilla leyendo.
La historia va creciendo en interés sin decaer en ningún momento. Si bien le falta brillantez para ser una obra maestra, la prosa simple y directa del autor es adictiva. Se trata sin duda de uno de los maestros del género.
Recomiendo leer al menos una novela de Tarzán. Su mezcla de romance, acción y emoción es difícil que deje frío a nadie.
January 1, 2024
I have to admit, I am getting kind of sick of Tarzan finding some random, lost group in the middle of Africa. Any time he finds a lost group, it all goes about the same. At least Burroughs seems to be educating himself when it comes to the Romans though.
As I get deeper and deeper into the Tarzan series, I wonder if there are any more books left that I will truly enjoy.
If this is your first Tarzan book, I guess that's fine, but if you made it this far and are trying to read the entire series . . . . . well, my guess is that you are going to start running out of steam and that this is turning into a chore more than anything.
Much love to my friend who left all these books to me upon his passing.
As I get deeper and deeper into the Tarzan series, I wonder if there are any more books left that I will truly enjoy.
If this is your first Tarzan book, I guess that's fine, but if you made it this far and are trying to read the entire series . . . . . well, my guess is that you are going to start running out of steam and that this is turning into a chore more than anything.
Much love to my friend who left all these books to me upon his passing.
May 31, 2021
Como en toda historia tipo pulp, es precisa una enorme suspensión de la credibilidad, más aún casi un siglo después de su publicación original. Pero hay que decirlo: mola un pegote. Me ha resultado entretenidísima. Tenía a Tarzán por un personaje poco atractivo y algo pasado, pero últimamente lo estoy recuperando y me está sorprendiendo para bien. Esta es la primera de las novelas originales de Burroughs que leo, y caerán más, porque me ha gustado bastante.
May 11, 2022
Sadly loses a star for some unfortunate racial politics. Unfortunate because otherwise (and aside from an ending so abrupt it feels VIOLENT) this is a perfect pulp novel; fun premise, action, drama, sex, a clash of aesthetics, and a nice fast pace that clips along from chapter to chapter. It's wild to compare this to 'Lord of the Jungle' because it definitely feels like Burroughs tightens the premise up from one book to the next.
June 12, 2025
Unfortunately, Tarzan doesn't fight in the arena until 100 pages in and there is little action to compel the reader. Disappointing considering the exciting concept of a lost Roman tribe. This is where the popular Filmation cartoon got its formula as the monkey sidekick Nkima is introduced and Tarzan is more a troubleshooter/journeyman adventurer in this volume. Got the sense that Burroughs was getting bored with the series at this point.
July 28, 2025
Tarzan is asked to find Eric von Harben, an explorer wandering the Wiramwazi Mountains. He is captured by a tribe of Africans who live near the mountain range. Those Africans are then overwhelmed by a large army of white men dressed in Roman clothing.
This is a good story. While Tarzan is captured several times, as he has been in other earlier stories, the story never lags. Tarzan has a little companion, a monkey named Nkima, who proves very resourceful and a loyal friend of Tarzan’s.
This is a good story. While Tarzan is captured several times, as he has been in other earlier stories, the story never lags. Tarzan has a little companion, a monkey named Nkima, who proves very resourceful and a loyal friend of Tarzan’s.
June 7, 2017
This book is almost a duplicate of Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle except instead of two rival medieval cities hidden in an isolated valley, it is two rival Roman cities, and Burroughs forgot to settle the love triangle and whether the young man Tarzan is searching for decides to stay with his lady love or return to civilization.
December 7, 2017
This one was hands down my favorite. On the surface, it was a lot like the others, lost civilization, young man falls in love with girl from lost civilization, Tarzan finds lost civilization as well...but in my opinion it was better than the others because the lost civilization was an offshoot of Ancient Rome! Ancient Rome in her emperor and gladiator days. I just love reading about that culture, don't ask me why. I was delighted by this book. And Tarzan was a gladiator! Oh my word, wow. I loved how he dealt with one conundrum. Problem: Tarzan could only be declared victor of a duel to the death with another man if he was the only one alive in the arena or if he was alone (one of the duelists could back out of the duel by going back down the tunnel, thereby forfeiting the duel). Solution: Once Tarzan defeated his opponent (of course), he just tossed him out of the arena. He didn't have to kill a defeated opponent and was abiding by the rules. Pure genius. Amazing book.
March 8, 2018
Damzel in distress; check
Apes in need of saving; check
Lost European tribes; check
I like the Tarzan series, but some of them are 'mailed in' efforts. This is one. Character development is weak the plot is basic and the scenarios Tarzan finds himself in are routine, but I'll be back for Tarzan at the Earth's Core in a few months.
Apes in need of saving; check
Lost European tribes; check
I like the Tarzan series, but some of them are 'mailed in' efforts. This is one. Character development is weak the plot is basic and the scenarios Tarzan finds himself in are routine, but I'll be back for Tarzan at the Earth's Core in a few months.
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