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Doc Savage (Bantam) #2
The Thousand-Headed Man
Librarians' note : Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9782553075209
From the back cover:
WHO IS DOC SAVAGE?
To the world at large, Doc Savage is a strange, mysterious figure of glistening bronze skin and golden eyes. To his amazing co-adventurers - the five greatest brains ever assembled in one group - he is a man of superhuman strength and protean genius, whose life is dedicated to the destruction of evil-doers. To his fans he is one of the greatest adventure heroes of all time, whose fantastic exploits are unequalled for hair-raising thrills, breathtaking escapes and bloodcurdling excitement.
THE THOUSAND HEADED MAN: With a mysterious black Chinaman, Doc Savage and his amazing crew journey to the jungles of Indo-China in a desperate gamble to destroy the infamous Thousand-headed Man.
From the back cover:
WHO IS DOC SAVAGE?
To the world at large, Doc Savage is a strange, mysterious figure of glistening bronze skin and golden eyes. To his amazing co-adventurers - the five greatest brains ever assembled in one group - he is a man of superhuman strength and protean genius, whose life is dedicated to the destruction of evil-doers. To his fans he is one of the greatest adventure heroes of all time, whose fantastic exploits are unequalled for hair-raising thrills, breathtaking escapes and bloodcurdling excitement.
THE THOUSAND HEADED MAN: With a mysterious black Chinaman, Doc Savage and his amazing crew journey to the jungles of Indo-China in a desperate gamble to destroy the infamous Thousand-headed Man.
150 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1934
39 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Robeson
917 books134 followersKenneth Robeson was the house name used by Street and Smith Publications as the author of their popular character Doc Savage and later The Avenger. Though most Doc Savage stories were written by the author Lester Dent, there were many others who contributed to the series, including:
William G. Bogart
Evelyn Coulson
Harold A. Davis
Lawrence Donovan
Alan Hathway
W. Ryerson Johnson
Lester Dent is usually considered to be the creator of Doc Savage. In the 1990s Philip José Farmer wrote a new Doc Savage adventure, but it was published under his own name and not by Robeson. Will Murray has since taken up the pseudonym and continued writing Doc Savage books as Robeson.
All 24 of the original stories featuring The Avenger were written by Paul Ernst, using the Robeson house name. In order to encourage sales Kenneth Robeson was credited on the cover of The Avenger magazine as "the creator of Doc Savage" even though Lester Dent had nothing to do with The Avenger series. In the 1970s, when the series was extended with 12 additional novels, Ron Goulart was hired to become Robeson.
William G. Bogart
Evelyn Coulson
Harold A. Davis
Lawrence Donovan
Alan Hathway
W. Ryerson Johnson
Lester Dent is usually considered to be the creator of Doc Savage. In the 1990s Philip José Farmer wrote a new Doc Savage adventure, but it was published under his own name and not by Robeson. Will Murray has since taken up the pseudonym and continued writing Doc Savage books as Robeson.
All 24 of the original stories featuring The Avenger were written by Paul Ernst, using the Robeson house name. In order to encourage sales Kenneth Robeson was credited on the cover of The Avenger magazine as "the creator of Doc Savage" even though Lester Dent had nothing to do with The Avenger series. In the 1970s, when the series was extended with 12 additional novels, Ron Goulart was hired to become Robeson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 3, 2020
The 17th Doc Savage novel, (as originally published, and 2nd in the Bantam publishing order) has long been a fan favorite, frequently listed among the top 10 and even on top 5 lists. And it's no surprise considering the avalanche of pulp adventure that lies within.
The plot revolves around an explorer who’s gone missing somewhere in the jungle forest of Indochina while searching for a strange cult. Originally published in 1934, the novel takes full advantage of “Yellow Peril” themes that had become popular with the Fu Manchu novels, making use of a mysterious Chinaman character named Sen Gat who prides himself on his incredibly long fingernails. Ultimately, it’s a race between Sen Gat and Doc Savage to see who can discover the secrets behind what appears to be an all-too-real Thousand-Headed Man. The novel has all you could ask for in a pulp adventure story including a lost civilization in a mysterious land, perilous plane rides, river boat adventure among crocodile infested waters, an attractive yet desperate girl who needs help rescuing her father, and plenty of twists and turns. All five of Doc’s aides participate and are actually useful this time out with their individual skills, especially Monk and his chemistry expertise.
For me, this was a nostalgic re-read. I can remember the summer after the sixth grade when my family moved to a new town. I was filled with trepidation. My older brother and I had no friends yet so when we discovered the first dozen or so Doc Savage paperbacks in the local bookstore, we bought them all. It turned out to be a pretty good summer after all.
The plot revolves around an explorer who’s gone missing somewhere in the jungle forest of Indochina while searching for a strange cult. Originally published in 1934, the novel takes full advantage of “Yellow Peril” themes that had become popular with the Fu Manchu novels, making use of a mysterious Chinaman character named Sen Gat who prides himself on his incredibly long fingernails. Ultimately, it’s a race between Sen Gat and Doc Savage to see who can discover the secrets behind what appears to be an all-too-real Thousand-Headed Man. The novel has all you could ask for in a pulp adventure story including a lost civilization in a mysterious land, perilous plane rides, river boat adventure among crocodile infested waters, an attractive yet desperate girl who needs help rescuing her father, and plenty of twists and turns. All five of Doc’s aides participate and are actually useful this time out with their individual skills, especially Monk and his chemistry expertise.
For me, this was a nostalgic re-read. I can remember the summer after the sixth grade when my family moved to a new town. I was filled with trepidation. My older brother and I had no friends yet so when we discovered the first dozen or so Doc Savage paperbacks in the local bookstore, we bought them all. It turned out to be a pretty good summer after all.
February 13, 2024
Dated adventure, pulp. Doc Savage is more akin to modern day Marcel superhero spliced with Tarzan, as opposed to an adventurer , accompanied by a band of academics. Zero plausibility, but that adds to the charm of this tail. Whilst generally okay, I found the book somewhat average in its execution. There are better pulps out there.
January 31, 2021
Doc and the boys’ next adventure finds them starting off in England when they come into possession of 3 mysterious black sticks made of an unknown substance. Sen Gat, a Chinese baddie, with crazy long and curled fingernails, wants to get his weird hands on these sticks in the worst way. Apparently, they have something to do with the Thousand-Headed Man in Indo-China.
Robeson’s writing progresses from the first Doc Savage, but still has a ways to go to get his footing underneath him. Doc isn’t quite as indestructible in this one, but his cohorts take periods of being in the backseat as the story plays out. The mystery reveal is adequate, if not a bit murky for my taste. Where the story shines is the location settings. You can almost feel the foggy streets of London, or the humid jungles of Indo-China. It scratched my inner Indiana Jones meets James Bond itch, and I already have book #3 down to start.
3 Makeshift Rafts in Crocodile Infested Waters out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
Robeson’s writing progresses from the first Doc Savage, but still has a ways to go to get his footing underneath him. Doc isn’t quite as indestructible in this one, but his cohorts take periods of being in the backseat as the story plays out. The mystery reveal is adequate, if not a bit murky for my taste. Where the story shines is the location settings. You can almost feel the foggy streets of London, or the humid jungles of Indo-China. It scratched my inner Indiana Jones meets James Bond itch, and I already have book #3 down to start.
3 Makeshift Rafts in Crocodile Infested Waters out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
September 28, 2021
Doc Savage's adventures are legendary as a pulp fiction hero goes. While these adventures come off as being dated, because of some of the things that are mentioned in the stories, you can easily brush off those things. But the stories are quick paced and fun.
Doc Savage was a superman before Superman was actually created being that his adventures started in 1931 and Superman was 1938.
These are fun reads with fantastic stories.
Doc Savage was a superman before Superman was actually created being that his adventures started in 1931 and Superman was 1938.
These are fun reads with fantastic stories.
August 27, 2014
This being my first introduction to Doc Savage, I was impressed with the pace of the action and the detail to the mystery. In 'The Thousand Headed Man' there is a host of interesting characters, one of whom is named Monk. The description of Monk reminds me of The Thing from Marvel Comics. However, I have to wonder if Marvel got the idea for The Thing from Doc Savage, seeing as how these adventures were from the 1930's!
For all the action and mystery that holds you deep in the secret jungles of Indo-China, there was a moment of laugh out loud hilarity for me late in the book. The characters are tight and consistent, which makes for a level of realism you can appreciate in a fantasy such as this. The camaraderie reminds me of that from The Expendables series of movies. It's clear that Doc Savage's crew simply like to go on wild adventures because, as Doc says, 'it's what we do.'
I have a few more Doc Savage to read, and this was a great taste of further adventures. For a nice weekend escape into a scientific and fantastical world of The Bronze Man and his motley crew, you should check this series out!
For all the action and mystery that holds you deep in the secret jungles of Indo-China, there was a moment of laugh out loud hilarity for me late in the book. The characters are tight and consistent, which makes for a level of realism you can appreciate in a fantasy such as this. The camaraderie reminds me of that from The Expendables series of movies. It's clear that Doc Savage's crew simply like to go on wild adventures because, as Doc says, 'it's what we do.'
I have a few more Doc Savage to read, and this was a great taste of further adventures. For a nice weekend escape into a scientific and fantastical world of The Bronze Man and his motley crew, you should check this series out!
January 24, 2023
I will say that The Thousand-headed Man was a fun read, though my gripe with these 1930s pulp stories remains the same:
1. Overt racism, in this case played for laughs.
2. Obviously, even ham-fistedly padded writing to make the required word count.
But hidden within are some real surprises, fun action, and a two-part plot that begins with a London-based mystery that transitions to an Indiana Jones-esque jungle adventure… though, in actuality, Indiana Jones is Doc Savage-esque.
I will keep reading!
1. Overt racism, in this case played for laughs.
2. Obviously, even ham-fistedly padded writing to make the required word count.
But hidden within are some real surprises, fun action, and a two-part plot that begins with a London-based mystery that transitions to an Indiana Jones-esque jungle adventure… though, in actuality, Indiana Jones is Doc Savage-esque.
I will keep reading!
January 10, 2013
The Thousand Headed Man, Doc Savage, by Kenneth Robeson
This is a Doc Savage “pulp fiction” novel originally published in the 30s or 40s and reissued in the 70s. And dare I say, I don't think I missed a single issue of the 70s re-issue of the Doc Savage Novels.
The reason I haven't given it 5 stars is because it takes a little effort at times to place yourself in the 30s and extrapolate into the gadgets we take for granite today, while remembering these “things” in the book were all likely possible in the 30s but were cutting edge.
No cell phones and a version of a flash grenade. Top of the line 3 engine propeller planes, without cabin pressurization, but hey, no security checks!
For those who don't know, Doc Savage is as close to Superman and Batman as you can be and actually have only the abilities that seem reasonable. Doc has a crew of 5 adventurers who are all experts in their various fields of science but like the adventures Doc Savage seems always entangled.
The Doc Savage novels really had a “staff writer” write the stories and always took the moniker of Kenneth Robeson. But the “boiler plate plot” and the predetermined strengths and weaknesses of Doc Savage, et al, the writers did an excellent job of creating interesting and mostly believable short novels with each issue.
Oh... The Thousand Headed Man!.. Hey, it's a quick read. Remember it's 30s-40s jargon. Bit by bit the mystery unfolds until you find yourself trapped in the Indo-China jungle with the real villains of the book with at lease a few complications to boot.
This is a Doc Savage “pulp fiction” novel originally published in the 30s or 40s and reissued in the 70s. And dare I say, I don't think I missed a single issue of the 70s re-issue of the Doc Savage Novels.
The reason I haven't given it 5 stars is because it takes a little effort at times to place yourself in the 30s and extrapolate into the gadgets we take for granite today, while remembering these “things” in the book were all likely possible in the 30s but were cutting edge.
No cell phones and a version of a flash grenade. Top of the line 3 engine propeller planes, without cabin pressurization, but hey, no security checks!
For those who don't know, Doc Savage is as close to Superman and Batman as you can be and actually have only the abilities that seem reasonable. Doc has a crew of 5 adventurers who are all experts in their various fields of science but like the adventures Doc Savage seems always entangled.
The Doc Savage novels really had a “staff writer” write the stories and always took the moniker of Kenneth Robeson. But the “boiler plate plot” and the predetermined strengths and weaknesses of Doc Savage, et al, the writers did an excellent job of creating interesting and mostly believable short novels with each issue.
Oh... The Thousand Headed Man!.. Hey, it's a quick read. Remember it's 30s-40s jargon. Bit by bit the mystery unfolds until you find yourself trapped in the Indo-China jungle with the real villains of the book with at lease a few complications to boot.
September 19, 2011
This is the second Doc Savage book I've read to date and, as of yet, I don't completely understand the love for the series. The character is a complete cypher and is, essentially, the Terminator. He's smarter than everyone, stronger than everyone, knows more than everyone...add in some really poor dialogue, cardboard cut-out supporting characters and you've got the Doc Savage series so far. A very weak entry in the pulps. No clue how this stuff stood up in a world where RE Howard, Clark Ashton Smith and HP Lovecraft were all writing. Perhaps the modern knock-off novels are more well written? Here's hoping.
August 29, 2016
The International Man of Mystery...The Bronze Marvel solves another mystery..deep in the jungles of Indo-China....
March 31, 2019
This is the 2nd Doc Savage book in the Bantam print series, although it was 17th in the original publication order. If I was digging these as much as I do “The Shadow” I'd try and read this in the original order rather than Bantam's... but I don't dig them quite as much. “The Shadow” and “Doc Savage” were the two biggest pulp series of the 30s, and they both sorta represent different sides of that coin. While “The Shadow” is a mysterious and enigmatic hero who prevails with mentality against crime, “Doc Savage” is a supers-strong scientist who fights foreign villains and natives for fun and great justice.
“The Thousand-Headed Man” has a lot of the same things going on as “The Man of Bronze”, with mystery and murder in a major city leading to adventure in the jungles. This entry begins in London, where a man running from Asian criminals hurls a mysterious package at Doc Savage and later winds up abducted and tortured. There's a kind of budget Fu Manchu villain, named Sen Gat, who has a bunch of henchmen who converse in pidgin English. Everything revolves around a missing explorer and the survivors of a doomed expedition to a lost city.
There's a big mystery involving pagodas designed on anatomical themes and people being overcome by a mysterious force that comes with a rustling sound. Small tantalizing clues pile up as the adventure progresses.
I enjoyed a few of the touches here, such as the Fu Manchu styled opener and the curious jungle temples. However, unlike the classic Sax Rohmer series, the book woefully underrates and underpowers the villains, writing them off as petty, stupid, or superstitious. We wind up with a variety of villains, but the same sin is committed all across the board.
Another big problem is the problem of the series itself, which centers on the overpowered title character and his sidekicks, the furious five. Doc Savage has all the answers and can deal with the rest with muscle, the others are comical adventurers who exist largely to compensate for their leader's lack of personality. Doc swings on vines like Tarzan and carries people along to safety, escapes a cell using sheer force, cracks riddles, meanwhile his friend quibble and have the occasional flash of inspiration.
The bubblegum qualities of the heroes frequently threaten to destroy suspense and credibility, but “The Thousand-Headed Man” does rise slightly above some of the shrugs in the first book. The outdoors adventure seem to invite borrowing from Edgar Rice Burroughs in a few different ways, but unfortunately that did seem to mean borrowing from his bottom-shelf stuff (weak villains, boring answers). Also, Doc seems to spend too much of the book throwing rocks and dodging bullets. A little more invention would have been welcome.
I still have a pile of these “Kenneth Robeson” classics on my shelf, so no doubt the exploration will continue.
“The Thousand-Headed Man” has a lot of the same things going on as “The Man of Bronze”, with mystery and murder in a major city leading to adventure in the jungles. This entry begins in London, where a man running from Asian criminals hurls a mysterious package at Doc Savage and later winds up abducted and tortured. There's a kind of budget Fu Manchu villain, named Sen Gat, who has a bunch of henchmen who converse in pidgin English. Everything revolves around a missing explorer and the survivors of a doomed expedition to a lost city.
There's a big mystery involving pagodas designed on anatomical themes and people being overcome by a mysterious force that comes with a rustling sound. Small tantalizing clues pile up as the adventure progresses.
I enjoyed a few of the touches here, such as the Fu Manchu styled opener and the curious jungle temples. However, unlike the classic Sax Rohmer series, the book woefully underrates and underpowers the villains, writing them off as petty, stupid, or superstitious. We wind up with a variety of villains, but the same sin is committed all across the board.
Another big problem is the problem of the series itself, which centers on the overpowered title character and his sidekicks, the furious five. Doc Savage has all the answers and can deal with the rest with muscle, the others are comical adventurers who exist largely to compensate for their leader's lack of personality. Doc swings on vines like Tarzan and carries people along to safety, escapes a cell using sheer force, cracks riddles, meanwhile his friend quibble and have the occasional flash of inspiration.
The bubblegum qualities of the heroes frequently threaten to destroy suspense and credibility, but “The Thousand-Headed Man” does rise slightly above some of the shrugs in the first book. The outdoors adventure seem to invite borrowing from Edgar Rice Burroughs in a few different ways, but unfortunately that did seem to mean borrowing from his bottom-shelf stuff (weak villains, boring answers). Also, Doc seems to spend too much of the book throwing rocks and dodging bullets. A little more invention would have been welcome.
I still have a pile of these “Kenneth Robeson” classics on my shelf, so no doubt the exploration will continue.
March 31, 2025
This is an interesting one, because this shows both an interesting side to the Doc Savage stories, as well as showing exactly how racist they could get.
Now, I have to bear in mind that this book is 91 years old, originally published in the completely different world of pre-WW II America, 1934. So, the Asian stereotypes presented here...from the "velly sorry" and "chop chop" dialogue, to the casually tossed out references to "slant" eyes, to the weirdly described yellow skin tone "akin to an egg yolk" are absolutely awful to me. I cringed throughout the entire book. So...yeah, that hasn't aged well.
Yet, on the other hand—and I am in no way trying to imply that this makes up for the stuff mentioned above—this book does something I don't think I've read in a Doc Savage book up to now...Doc is actually surprised and debilitated on a couple of occasions. The guy who is always thinking ahead, who could see 20 moves ahead, like Bobby Fischer, was caught off-guard a couple of times. Gotta say, that was a pleasant surprise.
The other, more refreshing aspect was the fact that this adventure had a young, beautiful female...who did NOT fall head over heels for Doc, and moon over him throughout the entire story.
So, while it had some horrible negatives, it held a couple of surprising positives, as well. Let's hope, in the hundreds of adventures to follow, there's less of the former and more of the latter.
Now, I have to bear in mind that this book is 91 years old, originally published in the completely different world of pre-WW II America, 1934. So, the Asian stereotypes presented here...from the "velly sorry" and "chop chop" dialogue, to the casually tossed out references to "slant" eyes, to the weirdly described yellow skin tone "akin to an egg yolk" are absolutely awful to me. I cringed throughout the entire book. So...yeah, that hasn't aged well.
Yet, on the other hand—and I am in no way trying to imply that this makes up for the stuff mentioned above—this book does something I don't think I've read in a Doc Savage book up to now...Doc is actually surprised and debilitated on a couple of occasions. The guy who is always thinking ahead, who could see 20 moves ahead, like Bobby Fischer, was caught off-guard a couple of times. Gotta say, that was a pleasant surprise.
The other, more refreshing aspect was the fact that this adventure had a young, beautiful female...who did NOT fall head over heels for Doc, and moon over him throughout the entire story.
So, while it had some horrible negatives, it held a couple of surprising positives, as well. Let's hope, in the hundreds of adventures to follow, there's less of the former and more of the latter.
October 1, 2025
The Thousand Headed Man is a "Doc Savage" novel by Kenneth Robeson. Kenneth Robeson was the house name Street and Smith Publications used as the author of their popular Doc Savage novels. Though most Doc Savage stories were written by the author Lester Dent, there were many others who contributed to the series, including: William G. Bogart, Evelyn Coulson, Harold A. Davis, Lawrence Donovan, Alan Hathway, and W. Ryerson Johnson.
I love reading these old pulp novels from time to time. I read about 80%+ of the Doc Savage novels when I was a teenager, but that was a very long time ago. I have been trying to find them again in the Bantam editions I read in my youth. I have found several of them in used bookstores and have bought several from online aftermarket bookstores.
In this one, Doc Savage and his men are in the thick of it again. The action is classic Doc Savage, filled with good old-fashioned adventure and gadgets that always seem to be there when the hero needs them. You can relax and escape for a little while. A good read in the Doc Savage series.
I love reading these old pulp novels from time to time. I read about 80%+ of the Doc Savage novels when I was a teenager, but that was a very long time ago. I have been trying to find them again in the Bantam editions I read in my youth. I have found several of them in used bookstores and have bought several from online aftermarket bookstores.
In this one, Doc Savage and his men are in the thick of it again. The action is classic Doc Savage, filled with good old-fashioned adventure and gadgets that always seem to be there when the hero needs them. You can relax and escape for a little while. A good read in the Doc Savage series.
February 19, 2023
I'll have to call this one as Did Not Finish. The unpleasant racial stereotypes shuffle on stage by page seven and the author couldn't even be bothered to generate some good villain menace behind it. But behind that is about the least elegant writing that I've ever seen in print and a plot structure that seems stamped out of the pulp writing machine.
If you've read one Doc Savage story, you have pretty much read them all: the introduction of trouble, the misdirection of the villains hiding and escaping and kidnapping, the loyal lunkheads doing what they are told and floundering at it, and daring rescues to prove that Savage really is as super-awesome as everyone thinks. I'm too tired to sit through to the inevitable conclusion.
You'd think that word would get around to the criminal underworld. Doc Savage is involved. Go to ground, regroup, and for Heaven's sake don't do anything stupid.
If you've read one Doc Savage story, you have pretty much read them all: the introduction of trouble, the misdirection of the villains hiding and escaping and kidnapping, the loyal lunkheads doing what they are told and floundering at it, and daring rescues to prove that Savage really is as super-awesome as everyone thinks. I'm too tired to sit through to the inevitable conclusion.
You'd think that word would get around to the criminal underworld. Doc Savage is involved. Go to ground, regroup, and for Heaven's sake don't do anything stupid.
October 4, 2021
Doc Savage books are the only exceptions to my rule of not reading books with a hairless muscular male chest in the cover. The science in these books from the 1930's was pathetic even for the thirties. However the odd characters were amusing, the pig "Habeus corpus," the ape, " Chemistry, " their owners Monk, a chemist, and his nemesis, a Harvard lawyer, Renny and his antipathy to opening doors using the door handle on his side of the door. All I can say is that the film was far worse. The ripoff Bacharoo Bazai was not much better. The P.J.F. Sequels were some of my favorites by Farmer. Enough said, I did read a number of the Bantam editions but it was in high school and out of curiosity as they were books my dad read. This one was the first.
May 16, 2017
When I was 13 and 14, I read Doc Savage books like eating popcorn. Just one after another. I had fond memories of those books, and I remembered "The Thousand-Headed Man" being one of my favorites. So, I decided to revisit it. I still liked it. However, the references to Asian people made me a little uncomfortable in 2017. Doc Savage and his crew are always awesome. I especially liked how much time Doc spent alone with Monk's pig Habeas Corpus during the adventure. I remembered the descriptions of Doc's time in the jungle from when I was young. That remained very good upon re-reading it.
March 2, 2018
In this novel, Doc Savage and his crew, in an attempt to help a woman rescue her explorer father, travel to the jungles of Indochina, in the middle of which is a mysterious, seemingly abandoned city, supposedly the home of the legendary thousand-headed man. It is not great literature, and the Asian stereotypes are cringe-inducing in this day and age. But is is fast-paced and fun -- pure pulp adventure.
January 20, 2019
Better than average Doc Savage story. Doc and his men pursue villains to the dark uncharted jungles of Indo-China. Doc Savage stories were predominately written in the 1930's by Kenneth Robeson. However, there may have been several ghost writers.
In this story Doc Savage and his men are returning from a previous adventure when they are caught up in kidnappings and a tale of a thousand headed man in the remote jungles of Indo-China. This story departs from the formula by having more of the action centered on Doc Savage rather than the assignments Doc Savage gives his men. Thus the reader gets a bit more of Doc Savage in this tale than some others. However, because of this his men are much more just seen as walk on actors in the play.
One thing I did not like about this story was the author's mixing of native language and then telling the reader that this word means crocodile or some other animal. I understand it was an attempt to give it flavor of being set in a remote unexplored region, but it became repetitive.
In this story Doc Savage and his men are returning from a previous adventure when they are caught up in kidnappings and a tale of a thousand headed man in the remote jungles of Indo-China. This story departs from the formula by having more of the action centered on Doc Savage rather than the assignments Doc Savage gives his men. Thus the reader gets a bit more of Doc Savage in this tale than some others. However, because of this his men are much more just seen as walk on actors in the play.
One thing I did not like about this story was the author's mixing of native language and then telling the reader that this word means crocodile or some other animal. I understand it was an attempt to give it flavor of being set in a remote unexplored region, but it became repetitive.
March 11, 2021
I first discovered Doc Savage in the mid 1960's as Bantam books began their reprints of these pulp stories originally written in the 1930's and 40's, mainly by Lester Dent. Doc savage is a comparatively sober pulp character - who along with his team of associates faces various colorful villains through over 180 novels. Think of a serious Indiana Jones and you won't be far wrong. Love most of these stories - but be careful - you might get hooked!
April 2, 2020
Fun read, has a little bit of a mystery in the what is mostly an action adventure jungle tale. Savage is always interesting and his five companions are all well rounded characters.
Recommended for fans of pulp action or for fans of the old serials. I could definitely see this as a 10 part serial with cliffhangers built in.
Recommended for fans of pulp action or for fans of the old serials. I could definitely see this as a 10 part serial with cliffhangers built in.
December 28, 2022
This episode in the Doc Savage escapades wax not nearly as good as the first. The story was sluggish and repetitive, making it an unenjoyable read. The end tied up all of the loose ends, but did not make it a better book.
This book is, as are most of the Doc Savage books, quite dated and a lot of people in today's world would say it's offensive with it's cultural stereotypes.
This book is, as are most of the Doc Savage books, quite dated and a lot of people in today's world would say it's offensive with it's cultural stereotypes.
October 4, 2017
Another good Doc adventure that I read back in the 70s.
March 31, 2020
Slightly inferior to the first book in the series, but enjoyable. Pulp action that starts out fast, drags a bit in the middle and picks up in the final quarter.
May 16, 2020
4.5 / 5
April 23, 2022
The second volume in the Doc Savage series. Doc and his crew have to follow a young girl into the asian jungle to rescue her Mom and Dad. Enjoyable reading. Blockbuster material.
October 16, 2022
my childhood is complete
April 30, 2024
Fresh and interesting adventure yarn.
June 9, 2017
Reading Challenge 2017: Book by an author who uses a pseudonym. Lester Denton, otherwise known as Kenneth Robeson, kept me going through the entire short novel. Thousand-headed men, who turned out to be natives with venom-throwing cobras were the main antagonist of Doc Savage and his five friends. It had hints of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, only to discover that the mysterious hidden city was full of snake-carrying cowards. Treasure found was shared equality with the survivors of the adventure and the rest donated to needy people. That is Doc Savage's maxim after all. It was a fun romp through Indo-China. I am liking the stories more and will continue with the series.
February 9, 2023
An interesting and quick read.
I have never seen the word 'Ejaculated' used so many times to describe someone yelling. I will admit i giggled every time it was used.
I've also never seen so many offensive words used to describe Asians. Yikes, sign of the times.
But still not too bad a read.
Oh well, on to the next one....
I have never seen the word 'Ejaculated' used so many times to describe someone yelling. I will admit i giggled every time it was used.
I've also never seen so many offensive words used to describe Asians. Yikes, sign of the times.
But still not too bad a read.
Oh well, on to the next one....
October 8, 2023
Whenever I don't enjoy a classic, I try to step kindly around what to some might be considered a sacred cow. So if you want to stop reading my review, you may do so without hard feelings, right here. Although, I believe that what I'm about to complain about is completely valid, and endemic to most of the pulps, I understand people may not care to read it.
As a caveat, I would claim that I really enjoyed book #1 in the Bantam book series, but I was annoyed at the five side kicks: one is the best pilot in the world except that Doc is better, another is a lawyer except that Doc is better, one is an excellent engineer, but Doc is better. Do you see my problem? If these guys are second best, then why does Doc hang around them? Well, here in book 2, we find out.
In Book 2, the five get captured, twice. Ordinarily, there's no damsel in distress. Yet, here in this novel we have several people captured by the eponymous villain, and it is up to Doc to save them. When the 5 are saved, they travel to Indochina to capture the villains with guns invented by Doc Savage that shoot bullets specially invented by Doc Savage. Ugh! (I would hate this guy if he actually existed.) It's not enough that he's brilliant, but he walks like a Greek Adonis, and apparently is great looking. (I remember Ron Eli in the movie.)
I'm a fanboy, but I also want to believe in this character. And I can't. I came to the character by reading about him in a Doc Savage Marvel magazine, way back in the 70s. Ugh! I think I would rather read about him there. Believe it or not, he was more believable in a Marvel magazine.
The two stars are for the action pieces, but there again, no one throws a punch like Doc Savage. Oy vey!
As a caveat, I would claim that I really enjoyed book #1 in the Bantam book series, but I was annoyed at the five side kicks: one is the best pilot in the world except that Doc is better, another is a lawyer except that Doc is better, one is an excellent engineer, but Doc is better. Do you see my problem? If these guys are second best, then why does Doc hang around them? Well, here in book 2, we find out.
In Book 2, the five get captured, twice. Ordinarily, there's no damsel in distress. Yet, here in this novel we have several people captured by the eponymous villain, and it is up to Doc to save them. When the 5 are saved, they travel to Indochina to capture the villains with guns invented by Doc Savage that shoot bullets specially invented by Doc Savage. Ugh! (I would hate this guy if he actually existed.) It's not enough that he's brilliant, but he walks like a Greek Adonis, and apparently is great looking. (I remember Ron Eli in the movie.)
I'm a fanboy, but I also want to believe in this character. And I can't. I came to the character by reading about him in a Doc Savage Marvel magazine, way back in the 70s. Ugh! I think I would rather read about him there. Believe it or not, he was more believable in a Marvel magazine.
The two stars are for the action pieces, but there again, no one throws a punch like Doc Savage. Oy vey!
September 25, 2016
The first Doc Savage story appeared in 1933 and the series ran in pulp and later digest format into 1949. Bantam reprinted the entire series in paperback with wonderful, iconic covers starting in the 1960's. Doc was arguably the first great modern superhero with a rich background, continuity, and mythos. The characterizations were far richer than was common for the pulps; his five associates and their sometimes-auxiliary, Doc's cousin Pat, and the pets Chemistry and Habeas Corpus, all had very distinctive characteristics and their byplay was frequently more entertaining that the current adventure-of-the-month. The settings were also fascinating: Doc's Fortress of Solitude, the Hidalgo Trading Company (which served as a front for his armada of vehicles), and especially the mysterious 86th floor headquarters all became familiar haunts to the reader, and the far-flung adventures took the intrepid band to exotic and richly-described locations all over the world. The adventures were always fast-paced and exciting, from the early apocalyptic world-saving extravaganzas of the early days to the latter scientific-detective style shorter works of the post-World War Two years. There were always a few points that it was difficult to believe along the way, but there were always more ups than downs, and there was never, ever a dull moment. The Doc Savage books have always been my favorite entertainments... I was always, as Johnny would say, superamalgamated!
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