The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1 by Howard, Robert E.. (Del Rey,2007) [Paperback]

1. Barbarism is the ultimate, natural state of mankind

"Barbarism is the natural state of mankind," the borderer said, still staring somberly at the Cimmerian. "Civilization is unnatural. It is a whim of circumstance. And barbarism must always ultimately triumph."

The primal triumph. Howard posits that civilization is merely a temporary deviation from the natural order. In his stories, particularly those featuring Conan the Cimmerian, the rugged, honest simplicity of the barbarian always outlasts the decadent, corrupt structures of civilized empires. The frontier forces a return to fundamental truths where survival depends on physical prowess and instinct rather than social status.

Consistency of nature. The power of the barbarian lies in his direct connection to the earth and his refusal to be softened by luxury. Howard contrasts the soft, helpless citizens of Aquilonia with the self-reliant settlers and barbarians who understand the harsh realities of nature. This philosophy is illustrated through:

• Direct action over political intrigue
• Physical strength and supreme self-reliance
• An innate, uncorrupted sense of justice
• Adaptability to harsh, untamed environments

Long-term perspective. The true impact of barbarism is often invisible during the height of an empire's glory. Like an ice cube slowly melting, progress may seem imperceptible until a critical threshold is reached, and the wild forces of the world reclaim the land. Patience and persistence are crucial for reaping the benefits of a natural life.

2. The universe is haunted by ancient, cosmic horrors that dwarf human civilization

They say foul beings of Old Times still lurk / In dark forgotten corners of the world, / And Gates still gape to loose, on certain nights, / Shapes pent in Hell.

Cosmic insignificance. Through his contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos, Howard illustrates a universe filled with monstrous, pre-human entities. In tales like The Black Stone and Worms of the Earth, humanity is depicted as a transient occupant of a world once ruled by terrifying, alien gods. These ancient horrors do not merely belong to the past; they linger in subterranean caverns and forgotten ruins, waiting to be summoned by foolish or desperate men.

The dark survivals. The protagonists often face these abominations, realizing that human intellect is powerless against such primordial malice. The horror of these entities is magnified by their physical and spiritual deformity, which defies natural laws. Howard uses these encounters to highlight the fragility of human sanity when confronted with the ultimate truths of the cosmos:

• The toad-like monstrosity of the Black Stone
• The subterranean "worms of the earth" summoned by Bran Mak Morn
• The primordial, unnameable white worm of the valley
• The lingering influence of ancient, pre-human sorcery

The struggle for sanity. Facing these horrors requires a primitive, unreasoning courage that civilized men often lack. The barbarian's instinctual reaction to danger is his only shield against the mind-shattering revelations of the outer dark.

3. True heroism is defined by individual will and an unyielding code of honor

"I am no slave for your butcher’s work."

The individualist code. Howard’s heroes, from the puritanical avenger Solomon Kane to the desert warrior El Borak, are driven by a deeply personal, unyielding sense of right and wrong. They stand tall against corrupt authorities, treacherous allies, and overwhelming odds, refusing to compromise their principles. In a lawless world, personal vengeance becomes the only reliable form of justice.

Vengeance as justice. When Solomon Kane pursues Le Loup across continents in Red Shadows, or when El Borak hunts down Afdal Khan in Hawk of the Hills, they are executing a moral duty that transcends written law. This code of honor is not soft or merciful; it is a hard, demanding creed that requires:

• Absolute, rugged individualism
• Uncompromising loyalty to friends and vows
• Contempt for hypocritical social conventions
• Readiness to face death rather than yield an inch

The heroic ideal. The hero's journey is a solitary one, marked by sacrifice and a deep, abiding melancholy. Yet, it is this very isolation that elevates the hero above the common herd, making him a beacon of strength in a dark and chaotic world.

4. Civilization is a fragile, hypocritical mask over primal instincts

"All men wore masks, and many a different mask with each different man or woman; and Kull wondered if a serpent did not lurk under every mask."

The masquerade of society. In The Shadow Kingdom, King Kull discovers that his court is infiltrated by ancient snake-men who can assume any human form. This serves as a powerful metaphor for the deceit, paranoia, and hidden malice that lurk beneath the polished surface of civilized court life. Civilization breeds softness, luxury, and ultimately, degeneracy.

The decay of empires. Howard repeatedly shows that as societies grow more complex, they lose the vital, primal energy required to defend themselves, leaving them vulnerable to the clean, ruthless sweep of barbarism. The signs of this decay are evident in:

• Political intrigue and backstabbing replacing honest combat
• Reliance on mercenaries and standing armies rather than personal valor
• The loss of direct, intuitive connection to the natural world
• The rise of decadent, corrupt religious cults

The return to truth. The barbarian hero acts as a catalyst, stripping away the illusions of civilization and forcing men to confront their true, primal natures. In the clash of steel, the masks of society are shattered, revealing the raw reality beneath.

5. Reincarnation and racial memory connect us to an epic, forgotten past

"Through the dim corridors of memory those words lurk; though you never heard them in this life, yet in the bygone ages they were so terribly impressed upon the soul mind that never dies..."

The ancestral echo. In The Valley of the Worm, the protagonist James Allison remembers his past life as Niord, a mighty hero of an ancient Aryan migration. Howard uses the concept of racial memory to suggest that modern man carries the dormant, heroic instincts of his prehistoric ancestors. These memories are not dead; they sleep in the blood, waiting to be awakened by the call of adventure.

The timeless soul. Reincarnation allows Howard to explore the idea of an eternal, unchanging human spirit that adopts different physical masks across the eons. The struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of past lives continue to echo in the dreams and subconscious impulses of the living, manifesting as:

• The lingering power of ancient watchwords and symbols
• Dreams of primeval landscapes and forgotten battles
• The intuitive recognition of ancient, hereditary foes
• The persistence of the heroic warrior archetype across generations

The continuity of struggle. By connecting his heroes to a vast, prehistoric past, Howard elevates their individual battles into part of an eternal, cosmic cycle. The modern man is not alone; he is the latest link in an unbroken chain of warriors.

6. The struggle between good and evil is an eternal, visceral conflict

"He wrote for readers who wanted evil to be something big, horrible, but still something a barbarian like Conan could overcome."

Visceral morality. Unlike modern fantasy that often dwells in moral ambiguity, Howard’s stories present a clear, dramatic conflict between heroic vitality and corrupting, monstrous evil. The evil his heroes face is tangible, terrifying, and must be met with physical courage and cold steel. It is not a matter of philosophical debate, but of survival.

The sorcerous threat. Evil in the Hyborian and Pictish worlds is almost always allied with dark sorcery, decadent priesthoods, and unnatural monsters. By defeating these sorcerous threats, the barbarian hero cleanses the world of cosmic filth and restores a natural, healthy order. This struggle is characterized by:

• The contrast between clean, physical strength and corrupt, decadent magic
• The defense of the weak and innocent against monstrous oppressors
• The rejection of easy, corrupting paths to power
• The triumph of human will over supernatural terror

The heroic triumph. The victory of the hero is a triumph of the human spirit over the dark, chaotic forces of the universe. It is a reassurance to the reader that even the most terrifying evils can be overcome by courage and determination.

7. Loyalty to companions transcends laws, empires, and personal safety

"I don’t reckon I’ll have to lick no more saps for sayin’ that Ritchie’s Terror is the champeen of all fightin’ dogs in the Asiatics."

The bond of brotherhood. Whether it is Sailor Steve Costigan fighting to rescue his white bulldog Mike, or the mutual vow of death made between Kull and the Pictish warrior Brule, loyalty to one's companions is the ultimate virtue. This bond is sacred and inviolable, transcending tribal feuds and national alliances. In a hostile world, a true friend is a man's only security.

Sacrifice for the clan. In The Grey God Passes, the Irish warriors and their allies fight to the death at Clontarf, driven by a deep, ancestral loyalty to their king and country. Howard shows that while individual survival is a primary instinct, the willingness to die for one's comrades is the highest expression of heroism. This loyalty is manifested in:

• Steve Costigan's relentless search for his stolen dog
• The blood-brotherhood between the Atlantean Kull and the Pict Brule
• The desperate stand of the last Britons against the Saxon invaders
• The self-sacrifice of warriors defending their clan's sacred relics

The ultimate test. When all else fails—when empires crumble and gods pass away—the bond of loyalty remains. It is the one pure, unsullied good that men can cling to in the face of ultimate defeat.

8. Humor and tall tales serve as vital releases for the rugged frontier spirit

"Varmints and hoss-thieves, hunt the bresh! Culture is on her way to Bear Creek!"

The comic relief of the frontier. In his Breckinridge Elkins stories, such as Sharp’s Gun Serenade, Howard showcases a madcap, boisterous humor rooted in the American tall-tale tradition. These stories provide a vital, lighthearted contrast to the brooding, melancholic tone of his dark fantasy and horror. They reflect the exuberant, larger-than-life spirit of the frontier.

The well-meaning giant. Breckinridge Elkins is a mountain-man of colossal size and strength, whose simple, trusting nature and susceptibility to pretty girls constantly land him in hilarious trouble. His attempts to bring "culture" to his wild home of Bear Creek result in chaotic, slapstick violence. This humor is characterized by:

• Exaggerated, larger-than-life physical feats
• Slapstick violence where characters survive incredible beatings
• The comic contrast between rugged wilderness and polite civilization
• The use of colorful, colloquial western dialect

The release of tension. Through these tall tales, Howard celebrates the vitality and resilience of the frontier spirit. The humor is a release from the grim, grinding struggle of daily life, a reminder that even in the harshest environments, men can still laugh.

9. The inevitable twilight of all empires and gods is a tragic certainty

"The Grey God passes, and we too are passing, though we have conquered. The days of the twilight come on amain, and a strange feeling is upon me as of a waning age."

The melancholy of the end. A pervasive sense of doom and twilight hangs over much of Howard's work. In The Grey God Passes and Worms of the Earth, the protagonists are acutely aware that they are fighting for dying causes, and that their victories are merely temporary stays against an inevitable night. This tragic fatalism lends a profound, melancholic depth to Howard's heroic adventures.

The passing of the old. The old gods, like Odin, must eventually retreat before the rise of new creeds, just as ancient, proud races like the Picts must eventually fade into the mists of history. This transition is marked by:

• The fall of ancient, proud empires like Atlantis and Rome
• The retreat of the old, wild gods before civilized religions
• The tragic, desperate stands of dying races against their supplanters
• The realization that all human achievements must eventually turn to dust

The heroic defiance. Even in the face of certain doom, Howard's heroes do not despair. They fight on to the bitter end, choosing to die on their feet with their swords in their hands, defying the very forces of destiny that would crush them.