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The Road of Azrael
Contents:
"Introduction" by Gordon R. Dickson
"Hawks Over Egypt"
"The Track of Bohemund"
"Gates of Empire"
"The Road of Azrael"
"The Way of the Swords"
"Introduction" by Gordon R. Dickson
"Hawks Over Egypt"
"The Track of Bohemund"
"Gates of Empire"
"The Road of Azrael"
"The Way of the Swords"
175 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
60 people want to read
About the author
Robert E. Howard
2,982 books2,645 followersRobert Ervin Howard was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. Howard wrote "over three-hundred stories and seven-hundred poems of raw power and unbridled emotion" and is especially noted for his memorable depictions of "a sombre universe of swashbuckling adventure and darkling horror."
He is well known for having created—in the pages of the legendary Depression-era pulp magazine Weird Tales—the character Conan the Cimmerian, a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can only be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond.
—Wikipedia
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He is well known for having created—in the pages of the legendary Depression-era pulp magazine Weird Tales—the character Conan the Cimmerian, a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can only be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond.
—Wikipedia
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 25, 2021
This is a collection of five historical adventures without supernatural or fantasy elements; none of them appeared during Howard's lifetime, though one does date from the January, 1939 issue of Golden Fleece magazine, so he may have sold it to them before he died. They're typical tales of Vikings and Moors and desert chieftains that peopled the pages of Blue Book and Argosy and similar adventure pulps, (with some of the same unfortunate racial caricatures). Howard was a great storyteller and excelled at fast-paced action adventures, so while none of these are among his best or feature any of his most famous creations they're still engaging and compelling. This edition has an introduction by Gordon R. Dickson, a writer I never would have associated with Howard. Not a good volume to start with for Howard, but good for fans or completists.
March 9, 2017
Howard's obsessions are telling. He is endlessly fascinated with the adventure of the Middle East, not just with the wildness of it but also the interaction with a seemingly endless series of nationalities and ethnicities duking it out in the region. He worships battle and conflict, the characters finding nobility or purity from it, in some cases as a transformative experience. His characters have incredibly specific backstories and circumstances, more than the stories really demand, as though he's showing his history homework.
And, of course, despite the setting, it's the whitest of Europeans--the Norse, the Saxons--who turn out to be the awesome-est of the awesome. Whether as a group of Cassocks, a lost Crusader, or a surprisingly common secret identity. Even Ayesha in "The Way of the Swords" is distinguished from the typical Persian dancing girl by the drop of ancient Aryan conqueror blood that is the source of her fire and determination and innate superiority.
The sheer force of Howard's writing, the crunch and splatter of it whether describing a fight or not, detracts from the intricacy of the plots. I'm not convinced, in "Hawks Over Egypt" for example, that he quite wrangles the pile of names, nationalities, geography, and tangle of intrigue. But his ambition is considerable: intrigue between rival emirs, a mad caliph, two freebooters with axes to grind, and a woman out for herself, all in an Egypt whose corroded ruling dynasty is ripe for overhaul. See also, A Lion of Islam, whose main character Baibars is mentioned here.
The thing about reading a Howard historical is wondering how soon a character will use the word "Dog!" as a grave insult. When someone does, my eyes drift over to a harmless twenty-five pound spaniel mix gently snoring nearby.
And, of course, despite the setting, it's the whitest of Europeans--the Norse, the Saxons--who turn out to be the awesome-est of the awesome. Whether as a group of Cassocks, a lost Crusader, or a surprisingly common secret identity. Even Ayesha in "The Way of the Swords" is distinguished from the typical Persian dancing girl by the drop of ancient Aryan conqueror blood that is the source of her fire and determination and innate superiority.
The sheer force of Howard's writing, the crunch and splatter of it whether describing a fight or not, detracts from the intricacy of the plots. I'm not convinced, in "Hawks Over Egypt" for example, that he quite wrangles the pile of names, nationalities, geography, and tangle of intrigue. But his ambition is considerable: intrigue between rival emirs, a mad caliph, two freebooters with axes to grind, and a woman out for herself, all in an Egypt whose corroded ruling dynasty is ripe for overhaul. See also, A Lion of Islam, whose main character Baibars is mentioned here.
The thing about reading a Howard historical is wondering how soon a character will use the word "Dog!" as a grave insult. When someone does, my eyes drift over to a harmless twenty-five pound spaniel mix gently snoring nearby.
February 23, 2016
Robert E. Howard is my all time favorite writer, but for many years much of his work was heavily edited. This is another of the heavily edited collections of Robert E. Howard's stories. I am a purist when it comes to a writers works. I know some of these stories are no longer PC but they should be read as Howard wrote them and understood that he wrote in another time period. Don't read this book unless you just can't find any others of Howard's unedited books to read. Message me if you need a list of what is good from this awesome fantasy and action writer.
January 3, 2009
Great historical fiction short stories from Robert E. Howard.
July 24, 2024
The five stories in this volume are historical fiction. Again, Howard is in the Middle East. Four take place during the Crusades and the last in 1596.
“Hawks over Egypt” finds unlikely allies, Diego de Guzman and Yusuf ibn Suleiman in Egypt in 1023 A.D. De Guzman is on a mission of revenge. Having just saved Yusuf‘s life, he gains himself an ally.
Once avenged he learns that Al Hakim, having been convinced he is a god, has planned a massive invasion against his Spanish home of Castille. He sets out on a new mission with Yusuf.
“The Track of Bohemond” follows Sir Roger de Bracy from his capture and enslavement on a galley to his escape to his impersonating Muslim warrior to his ultimate ride to save Bohemond.
“Gates of Empire” follows the misadventures of Giles Hobson, a drunkard. He plays a prank on visiting Lord Guiscard and must flee the castle, disguised as a monk. He boards a ship which is captured by Muslim raiders. He travels to the Middle East and tells tales that amuse his captors. More hijinks ensue
“The Road of Azrael” follows Kosru Malik as he aids Sir Eric de Cogan and his quest to rescue his love, Ettaire, after her capture. When they were very young men, Sir Eric spared the life of Malik. The story takes place in about 1105 AD. Many die just to keep a young woman out of the hands of a mad sultan.
“The Way of the Swords” begins with a sea battle on the Black Sea. The combatants are Osman Pasha and his crew and the Cossacks, now led by Ivan Sablianka, who seek retribution for the murder of their leader Skol Ostap by Pasha. Their ship no longer seaworthy, they make their way ashore. Pasha makes his way to the shore near a castle, where he saves a harem girl named Ayesha from Turkic raiders. She explains she is entertainment for Prince Orkhan who is prisoner in the castle.
These are all good stories, but I liked “Gates of Empire” and “The Road to Azrael” best. They are all as vividly written as his sword and sorcery fiction.
“Hawks over Egypt” finds unlikely allies, Diego de Guzman and Yusuf ibn Suleiman in Egypt in 1023 A.D. De Guzman is on a mission of revenge. Having just saved Yusuf‘s life, he gains himself an ally.
Once avenged he learns that Al Hakim, having been convinced he is a god, has planned a massive invasion against his Spanish home of Castille. He sets out on a new mission with Yusuf.
“The Track of Bohemond” follows Sir Roger de Bracy from his capture and enslavement on a galley to his escape to his impersonating Muslim warrior to his ultimate ride to save Bohemond.
“Gates of Empire” follows the misadventures of Giles Hobson, a drunkard. He plays a prank on visiting Lord Guiscard and must flee the castle, disguised as a monk. He boards a ship which is captured by Muslim raiders. He travels to the Middle East and tells tales that amuse his captors. More hijinks ensue
“The Road of Azrael” follows Kosru Malik as he aids Sir Eric de Cogan and his quest to rescue his love, Ettaire, after her capture. When they were very young men, Sir Eric spared the life of Malik. The story takes place in about 1105 AD. Many die just to keep a young woman out of the hands of a mad sultan.
“The Way of the Swords” begins with a sea battle on the Black Sea. The combatants are Osman Pasha and his crew and the Cossacks, now led by Ivan Sablianka, who seek retribution for the murder of their leader Skol Ostap by Pasha. Their ship no longer seaworthy, they make their way ashore. Pasha makes his way to the shore near a castle, where he saves a harem girl named Ayesha from Turkic raiders. She explains she is entertainment for Prince Orkhan who is prisoner in the castle.
These are all good stories, but I liked “Gates of Empire” and “The Road to Azrael” best. They are all as vividly written as his sword and sorcery fiction.
February 22, 2022
The Road of Azrael was my initial introduction to Howard's Middle Eastern historicals. REH had a deep fascination with the medieval Islamic world, the Crusader states, and Central Asia, and this book's collection of stories deal with the first two.
The best story in this collection is the title piece. A Turkic mercenary finds himself caught between conflicting loyalties when he meets again with the Norman knight who saved his life at the sack of Jerusalem during the First Crusade. The Crusader is out to rescue a European woman he loves from being married off to the Sultan of Kizilshehr, the protagonist's liege. They end up fleeing across the deserts with the girl, and just when they're trapped they come upon the most unlikely of allies to be found on the shores of Outremer: Vikings. With a surprise guest star. (Clue: the story is set some years after the capture of Jerusalem in 1099, so the guy in question would've been in his 80s ... and he would've been the only character who spoke English.)
Road of Azrael is one of REH's most engaging historicals, and believe you me, REH wrote damn good historicals. I'm sad Hollywood has never adapted this tale -- and also glad they've never had a chance to butcher it.
The best story in this collection is the title piece. A Turkic mercenary finds himself caught between conflicting loyalties when he meets again with the Norman knight who saved his life at the sack of Jerusalem during the First Crusade. The Crusader is out to rescue a European woman he loves from being married off to the Sultan of Kizilshehr, the protagonist's liege. They end up fleeing across the deserts with the girl, and just when they're trapped they come upon the most unlikely of allies to be found on the shores of Outremer: Vikings. With a surprise guest star. (Clue: the story is set some years after the capture of Jerusalem in 1099, so the guy in question would've been in his 80s ... and he would've been the only character who spoke English.)
Road of Azrael is one of REH's most engaging historicals, and believe you me, REH wrote damn good historicals. I'm sad Hollywood has never adapted this tale -- and also glad they've never had a chance to butcher it.
February 13, 2021
I give this one four stars because of the variety of stories within and the characters. All well done. Crusaders, Moors, pirates, soldiers all are found and the stories have a lot of action and a sense of urgency in the writing of them. Great read.
February 8, 2020
Some good old sword and not much sorcery from the Father of Conan
May 30, 2023
Good sword fighting action in Middle East region
January 11, 2025
I've always liked Howard's historical adventures better than his fantasy stories. The examples herein are not his best (for that, try The Sowers of the Thunder), but they are sure to please Howard enthusiasts. Five tales of Englishmen adventuring in the Middle East, including four during the Crusades and one in the sixteenth century.
PS--In hindsight, the most memorable of these stories was the title story; it concerns--improbably enough--Harold, the last King of the Saxons, who somehow survived the Battle of Hastings to wander the seas with a band of loyal Viking retainers. He must be in his 80s by the time of this story. Unusually for him, Howard chose a Turkish Muslim to be the first-person narrator of this tale (his heroes, though they may adopt Eastern lifestyles, are always Westerners, often with Irish or English roots). Kosru Malik admires the fighting qualities of the Franks and Vikings he encounters, while at the same time scoffing at their notions of chivalry, especially where it concerns women.
PS--In hindsight, the most memorable of these stories was the title story; it concerns--improbably enough--Harold, the last King of the Saxons, who somehow survived the Battle of Hastings to wander the seas with a band of loyal Viking retainers. He must be in his 80s by the time of this story. Unusually for him, Howard chose a Turkish Muslim to be the first-person narrator of this tale (his heroes, though they may adopt Eastern lifestyles, are always Westerners, often with Irish or English roots). Kosru Malik admires the fighting qualities of the Franks and Vikings he encounters, while at the same time scoffing at their notions of chivalry, especially where it concerns women.
February 2, 2016
I'll start by saying I'm a huge fan of Robert E. Howard. I moved into a new place in October and found a small stash of older paperbacks that I hadn't read yet. Looking through the table of contents of them all, I started this one because I hadn't read any of the stories in it previously. Normally I devour Howard's stories but the first third of this book was a slog. All the stories are historical fiction set in the Middle East during the Crusades and the first batch were not very attention grabbing. The last two stories in the book (which also happened to be the two longest) The Road of Azrael and The Way of Swords were both very good, with Road being the better of the two. It was worth reading the whole book as a Howard fan because I hadn't seen these stories before. If you're not a Howard fan maybe try out the last two stories or start with a Conan or Solomon Kane collection.
February 18, 2014
A pretty good collection of short stories from Robert E. Howard. The majority of them take place in the crusading era and the final story takes place in the late middle ages. I would have to say the best story of the bunch would have to be The Road of Azrael. It has a twist toward the end that had me all up in arms.
March 21, 2014
Straight historical adventures from the author of Conan. Dry in many spots, this isn't his best fiction. The pace is solid, but it's missing some of the flair of the Conan/Kull tales. Not the best place to start with Howard.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews