It has been a while since I first read these stories, reformed into a narrative of Conan's life by De Camp and Carter. They are better this way, truer to Howard's intentions and truer to the time when they were written. ( )

Conan of Sumeria is a cunning brute who takes the sword and cleaves his way into your mind. This is the original tough guy. Conan grows up fighting in pits because of his large size from years of hard slavery. He escapes to find a world of wonder, magic, women and campaigns. This is the only book you need for a laugh, thrill, inspiration, wonder, -- if your into great writing, descriptive writing, and a good fight. This is a close first place to my other first place favorites. ( )