Master of Adventure: The Worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs

Master of Adventure: The Worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs stands as a cornerstone work of literary criticism examining the complete works of Tarzan's creator. Originally published in 1965, the book has seen multiple editions with expanded content, including contributions from fantasy author Michael Moorcock and Burroughs consultant Phillip R. Burger. The text presents a comprehensive analysis of Burroughs' vast literary output, covering his science fiction, fantasy, and adventure stories across multiple series and standalone works. Various editions feature artwork from renowned illustrators including Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and Reed Crandall, enhancing the exploration of Burroughs' imaginative worlds. Through careful examination of themes, characters, and story structures, Lupoff's work helped spark a renewed interest in Burroughs during the 1960s and remains one of the most significant scholarly treatments of the author. The book reveals the scope and influence of Burroughs' contributions to genre fiction while examining his enduring impact on popular culture.

Readers describe this biography as a detailed examination of Burroughs' writing career and publishing history. The book covers both his successes and failures across different genres. Readers appreciated: - Detailed analysis of Burroughs' business decisions and publishing ventures - Coverage of lesser-known works beyond Tarzan and John Carter - Historical context for Burroughs' writing choices - Inclusion of rare photos and book cover art Common criticisms: - Too much focus on plot summaries - Dry academic tone in some sections - Limited coverage of Burroughs' personal life - Outdated information (first published 1965) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (46 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) One reader noted: "Lupoff digs deep into ERB's writing methods and business acumen rather than just celebrating his most popular works." Another commented: "The plot summaries become tedious, but the publishing history is fascinating."

Tarzan Forever: The Life of Edgar Rice Burroughs by John Taliaferro This biography explores Burroughs' life experiences that shaped his fictional worlds and chronicles the creation of his literary empire through personal papers and correspondence.

Lost Worlds: The Life and Art of Clark Ashton Smith by Donald Sidney-Fryer The book examines Smith's parallel careers as poet, artist, and pulp fiction writer during the same era as Burroughs, with focus on his creation of fantastic realms.

H.P. Lovecraft: Against the World, Against Life by Michel Houellebecq This literary analysis delves into Lovecraft's creation of cosmic horror universes and his impact on weird fiction, providing context for the pulp era that Burroughs helped define.

Robert E. Howard: A Literary Biography by David C. Smith The book traces Howard's development as a writer of sword and sorcery tales and his creation of characters like Conan the Barbarian during the golden age of pulp magazines.

The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion by Wayne G. Hammond This reference work examines Tolkien's world-building techniques and the creation of Middle-earth, offering insight into the craft of developing fictional universes.

🌟 Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote over 80 novels during his career, despite not starting his writing journey until age 35 when he was working as a pencil sharpener wholesaler. 🌟 The book reveals that Burroughs' Mars series was inspired by the astronomical observations of Percival Lowell, who claimed to see canals on Mars through his telescope in the early 1900s. 🌟 Author Richard A. Lupoff was himself a respected science fiction writer who won the Hugo Award and helped pioneer the study of comic book history through his work "All in Color for a Dime." 🌟 The first edition of "Master of Adventure" featured previously unpublished correspondence between Burroughs and notable figures like H.P. Lovecraft and Ray Bradbury. 🌟 Burroughs was one of the first authors to incorporate cross-marketing into his work, creating a corporation to manage his properties and licensing Tarzan for comics, films, and merchandise as early as 1918.