The Lost Valley of Iskander

by Robert E. Howard

Contains the stories "The Daughter of Erlik Khan," "The Lost Valley of Iskander," and "Hawk of the Hills."

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Adventure, Pulp, Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Science Fiction Fantasy

207 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Robert 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.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is volume containing three stories featuring Howard's pulp character Francis Xavier Gordon, better known as El Borak. It's a companion volume to Son of the White Wolf, which has the rest of the El Borak stories, and I think this one is the better of the two. Gordon is a typical pulp hero of the time, a two-fisted fiery Texan who adventures in Afghanistan and the surrounding area. The Daughter of Erlik Khan and Hawk of the Hills appeared in 1934 and 1935 in Top-Notch magazine, but the titular story was unpublished until this volume. It's an excellent lost-race story. This Zebra paperback has a nice Jeff Jones cover and is lavishly illustrated with many fine detailed Michael W. Kaluta drawings.

[Benjamin Uke · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, the Hungarian his plotting to start a religious war in Central Asia, intended to send hordes of religious fanatics boiling across the border into India to plunder on a staggering scale.
Meanwhile, the protagonist carries vital package he carries must be carried to British India to warn them.

On the way El Borak discovers a legendary valley in which live Greek descendants of Alexander the Great invading army. There are lots of adventure-story classic tropes:
-deceitful merchants (slightly racist undertones)
-unarmed combat without shirts
-hidden civilizations
-Dueling the villain with scimitars.

In the style of what inspired Indiana Jones. Fun!

[Little Timmy · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the third story, "Hawk of the Hills", where Howard really shines.

Instead of a relatively simple lost city tale, as were the previous two, this features a layered conflict, weaving together the regional and national interests in play. Gordon fights to avenge a betrayal and wages war against an enemy tribe. The tribal war impacts trade, therefore the Amir has an interest in settling it. The Amir has received overtures from the Russian government, who seek to pry their way into Afghan affairs. The British, whose military props up the Amir, are involved and must settle things before Afghanistan gets away from them. It goes a little deeper than this, with a gotcha at its heart. Presenting a simple adventure is one thing, but wrapping it all up in exquisite reasons makes it beautiful.

And, oh, the illustrations! Kaluta's lush and intricate and exotic line drawings are liberally placed, from minor pieces filling the text to full page plates and chapter and story titles.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've come to trust Robert E. Howard to the point that reading his work feels like coming home.
His characters, even when in complicated and morally grey situations, always act in the most admirable way. The author demonstrates a sincere respect for strong and honest people, regardless of their culture or ethnicity, and he defends his characters right to protect their own happiness and freedom, with violence when necessary, without the slightest reservation or hint of guilt or shame.
There's no ambiguity, there are no anti-heroes--Robert E. Howard's characters just live and love life, and they always defend their love of life without the slightest compromise of their values.

It's rare to read (or watch) something where the artist is so confident in a person's own right to their own life and happiness, that they can take such a positive, uncompromising, unapologetic moral stand. Robert E. Howard was a hero and a warrior out of time and place.

[Mark Tallen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first story written by Robert E.Howard that focuses on his fictional character, El Borak. This particular story is also known as 'Swords of the Hills'. All of REH'S El Borak stories can be found in 'El Borak and Other Desert Adventures', published by Del Rey, 2010. Illustrated by Tim Bradstreet and Jim & Ruth Keegan. Howard's El Borak stories are not set in fantasy worlds of sword and sorcery. I've enjoyed this first El Borak tale. Howard keeps the story moving and doesn't waste time padding out the story in anyway, it is a short quick page turner but contains enough satisfactory plot details. More El Borak tales await for me, I'm confident I'll enjoy them.

[Frankie Roxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Valley of Iskander by Robert E. Howard stands as a timeless piece of classic and fantastic historical adventure fiction. Starring Francis Xavier Gordon AKA El Borak; Mr. Gordon stands as my as one of my favorite of Howard's many wonderful characters coming in second only to Solomon Kane and I consider these some of my absolute favorite tales starring the daring desert warrior. Sporting an interesting and informative introduction by Darrel C. Richardson; I found this little narrative to be quite a good addition to the book as it teaches us of El Borak's publication history—something I always enjoy being able to read when I find a character so enjoyable.


I'm not sure as to the other additions of the book but the one I have, published by Zebra, sports some absolutely incredible art by the always talented Michael (Mike) Kaluta. As a lifelong comic collector I was already familiar with his fantastic art and was ecstatic to see his illustrations a part of this book. As for the tales themselves there are three contained herein; "The Daughter of Erlik Khan" , "The Lost Valley of Iskander" & "Hawk of the Hills" . All three stories are entertaining and serve to immerse the reader into the harsh desert environment, exotic locales of hidden cities and the din of battle. Oddly enough where as I've read some criticism about the first tale, "The Daughter of Erlik Khan", by some reviewers I found it to be the one that personally I enjoyed the most from this small collection. It truly shows us not only El Borak's nearly superhuman prowess and stamina but also his integrity and his insatiable and unstoppable need for revenge when wronged such as in the case when a loyal friend is murdered. Of course these things are played up on in the other stories as well but something about how they were handled in "The Daughter of Erlik Khan" especially struck home with me.

That being said all three tales were extremely entertaining--”Hawk of the Hills” sporting some fascinating intrigue and plot twists especially. This is easily one of my all time favorite books and one that I find myself re-reading once a year or every other year at the latest. A must have for Howard fans.

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume contains three rather long stories featuring the character El Borak: The daughter of Erlik Khan, The lost valley of Iskander, and Hawk of the hills. The first story was, to me at least, not the best story. After hearing so much praise for El Borak I was highly disapointed. The second story helped to alleviate my disappointment with a much better put together story. The thought of a lost colony of Alexander the Greats soldiers has always tugged at my mind as a possibile happening. The third story though was by far the best of the bunch. Lots of action and intrigue, exactly what I was looking for in this character.

[GD · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was thoroughly enjoyable, and had some of the unintentionally funniest lines I've ever read. You can tell what a hard-on Robert E Howard has for this certain image of man, quiet, super strong, reserved, super strong, skilled in everything, super strong... This is the only book I've read by him so far, and I have to say he writes like a precocious 10 year old. Which is good in one way, good enough that I've got a stack of his books to read on top of my bookshelf right now. It has all the depth and fun of a really badass action movie.

[Michael Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three brilliant El Borak stories from the master. This was my introduction to Howard's remarkable adventurer Francis Xavier Gordon, and they're all perfect – full of excitement, daring and intelligence. Howard's writing is super sharp and highly descriptive.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have tihs with a different cover, but it's also from Berkley and I believe it's the same material. Good historical adventure stories featuring Francis Gordon, El Borak.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel felt like an homage to Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan. Its about an Apex male in his element full of danger and masculinity.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as much for the Michael Kaluta illustrations as for the Robert E. Howard story. It is a collection of three short stories, “The Daughter of Erlik-Khan”, “The Lost Valley of Iskander”, and “Hawk of the Hills”. I think Iskander got top billing because it’s the one that was new to this book; it’s a manuscript found after Howard’s death. “This is one of the best and most fantastic of all the stories in the Francis X. Gordon series.”

Francis X. Gordon, El Borak, is an American and a Texan. Howard refers to him often as “the American” much like he often referred to Conan as “the barbarian”; I don’t recall him ever using the appellation “the Texan”.

The remaining kidnapper was more wary. Seeing the terrible strength and blinding speed of his smaller foe, he drew a long knife and came in cautiously, seeking an opportunity for a mortal thrust. Gordon fell back, putting the slab between himself and that glimmering blade, while the other circled warily after him. Suddenly the American stooped and ripped a similar knife from the belt of the man he had first felled. As he did so, the Attalan gave a roar, cleared the slab with a lion-like bound, and slashed in mid-air at the stooping American.

In these three stories, he avenges his friends, finds lost civilizations, and gets involved in Britain’s Great Game to the consternation of Great Britain’s representative. All in fast-moving stories filled with battles, betrayals, and daring escapes!

I’d compare it to Conan, but I haven’t read much, or any, Robert E. Howard; just what shows up in L. Sprage de Camp’s The Spell of Conan. I need to fix that.

He himself was mad for sleep and kept himself awake only by an effort of will that made the hills reel to his gaze.

[Rubén Lorenzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este volumen reúne las tres primeras historias de El Borak, un aventurero americano en Afganistán. Le he dado cuatro estrellas, pero mi disfrute a sido tanto que bien hubiera merecido cinco. Y eso que no es la primera vez que lo leo.

No hay aquí fantasía, sino que se trata de simple acción y aventura. Duelos a espada, intrigas, persecuciones entre cumbres desnudas... No hay un instante para recuperar el aliento. Aunque carece de la poesía del mejor Howard, quien no adereza la narración con horrores sobrenaturales, ni mujeres deslumbrantes, este libro demuestra que una historia sencilla puede ser muy emocionante y divertida.

Destaco en especial el último relato, "Halcones sobre Shem", cuyo argumento es más sólido, si cabe, que el de las otras dos historias. De hecho, este breve libro va de menos a más a medida que REH le coge el pulso al personaje.

Lo recomiendo para los aficionados a las novelas de aventuras clásicas como, por citar otro ejemplo, las de Borroughs, creador de Tarzán.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert E. Howard is the master of pulp fantasy, and this collection only enforces that. This collection focuses on his character "El Borak", who is a Texas gunslinger who ends up in the Middle East I'm guessing around the turn of the century. These stories have a heavy "Laurence of Arabia" feel to them with plenty of action. As with most pulp fiction, it's about the setting and action and you get plenty of both here. The title story had an Edgar Rice Burroughs flavor to it with the lost civilization and all, but it still has the Howard magic touch.

I've always thought Solomon Kane was Howard's best character (yes, even over Conan although Conan has got it over all the characters in quantity) but even Howard's "lesser" characters are great. If you're a Howard fan, check it out.

[Dariel Quiogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my introduction to Robert E. Howard's pulp adventure character El Borak. Texan gunfighter Francis Xavier Gordon somehow drifts east to become a living legend in the tumultuous frontier lands of the Himalayas and Central Asia. Colorful, fast-paced adventures in a setting little seen nowadays, reminiscent of Kipling, Lamb, and Talbot Mundy.

Loved this book so much I've owned no less than three copies of this edition. I'd end up re-reading it every time I caught a rerun of The Man Who Would Be King on TV.

It's also one of the major inspirations for Swords of the Four Winds.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining listening 🎶🔰

Another will written fantasy adventure thriller short story by Robert E. Howard about Gordon racing across Afghanistan with secret papers as the bad 👎 guys chase him. He ends up ☝ in a century old village that has not changed over time and the fun begins. I would recommend this novella and author to 👍readers of mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading all kinds of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022 👑😃🏠

[Peveril · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 rounded up. Enjoyable pulp adventure about an improbably superhuman American in Afghanistan and thereabouts, loved and/or feared by the hilltribes and unbeatable at anything you care to name.
And of course Michael Kaluta's superb illustrations, occasional full page views and evocative chapter headings. I'd love to see them reproduced on better than this cheap rough paper.

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Howard's Richard Francis Burton wannabe. Quite fun, not as good as Conan or other Howard heroes.
The most interesting thing I found was the density of the prose. He packs a lot of information into his sentences when he wants to build a picture up quickly.

[Mark Stephenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of vivid action writing. Published posthumously.

[John Reis · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are three Francis Xavier Gordon, “El Borak,” stories in this book. Gordon is a Texan who finds himself in Asia. He is a brave and strong fighter, a savvy strategist and a natural leader.

“The Daughter of Erlik Khan” begins with Gordon guiding two Englishmen, Pembroke and Ormond, in their quest to rescue a friend named Reynolds. This though is a ruse. Gordon goes out to catch some game for dinner and returns to find his aid dead and the Englishman gone. He gives chase. He reaches Mount Erlik and finds that Yasmeena is in danger from the two Englishman. Their plan is to kidnap here.

While she waits for Gordon to arrange an escape, Howard describes her mindset. “There was a certain sophistication or innate mysticism in her which refused to let her put much faith in material weapons. Hers was that overrefinement of civilization which instinctively belittles physical action.”

“The Lost Valley of Iskander” finds Gordon traveling with proof that a warlord named Hunyadi seeks to foment war in the area. Gordon saves a man named Bardyllas, while he flees with Hunyadi in pursuit, who takes him to the Valley of Iskander, which is populated by the descendants of the army of Alexander the Great. Hunyadi attacks the settlement.

“Hawk of the Hills” finds Gordon surviving a massacre, committed by Afdal Khan and several of his men, at a peace conference of various local tribesmen. Gordon escapes and determined to get revenge on Khan, sets to attacking Khan’s settlements along a trade route making travel too hazardous on the trade route. He then runs into an English troubleshooter named Willoughby, who is in Afghanistan to see that trade resume. Willoughby thinks of Gordon as a rash thug. He rescues Willoughby several times from Khan and his men. There is a final confrontation.

I liked all three stories, most of all, the first story.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another somewhat Politically Incorrect, but fun as hell Robert E Howard romp.

[DavidO · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very pulpy. All of Howard's heroes seem exactly the same, jsut put in different settings.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

read some time in 1977