Tarzan Alive: A Definitive Biography

Tarzan Alive: A Definitive Biography presents Tarzan as a real historical figure, with author Philip José Farmer constructing an extensive genealogy and life story for the legendary character. The book maps out Tarzan's family tree and connects him to other literary figures through the "Wold Newton Family" concept. Farmer combines research methodology with creative speculation to fill in gaps between Edgar Rice Burroughs' original Tarzan novels. The work includes detailed chronologies, historical context, and explanations for seeming contradictions in the established Tarzan narratives. The author builds his case through footnotes, photographs, and documentation, maintaining the conceit that Tarzan was a living person whose story was fictionally adapted by Burroughs. The biography covers Tarzan's entire life span, including events not depicted in the original novels. This unique approach to literary analysis blurs the lines between fiction and reality, raising questions about how stories evolve from supposed historical events into legend. The book establishes a foundation for connecting disparate fictional universes into a unified whole.

Readers see this book as an entertaining but uneven attempt to present Tarzan as a real historical figure. The detailed genealogical research and connections between literary characters appeal to fans of both Tarzan and Farmer's Wold Newton work. Readers appreciate: - Intricate research linking fictional characters into a shared universe - Creative explanations for inconsistencies in Tarzan stories - Farmer's commitment to maintaining the illusion of a scholarly biography Common criticisms: - Dense genealogical sections slow the pacing - Too much focus on minor details vs. Tarzan's adventures - Some explanations feel forced or unnecessary Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (393 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (48 ratings) Notable reader comment: "A treat for those who love literary games and detective work, but casual Tarzan fans may find it overwhelming" (Goodreads reviewer) Some readers note it works better as a reference book than a straight-through read.

Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life by Philip José Farmer This biographical exploration of pulp hero Doc Savage uses genealogical research and historical records to present him as a real person who inspired the pulp stories.

Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street by William S. Baring-Gould This work treats Sherlock Holmes as a historical figure, constructing his complete life story through careful analysis of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories and historical records.

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution by Nicholas Meyer A discovered manuscript by Dr. John Watson reveals Holmes's cocaine addiction and subsequent treatment by Sigmund Freud, presented as historical fact.

Anno Dracula by Kim Newman This alternate history builds a world where Dracula was a real historical figure who married Queen Victoria and changed the course of the British Empire.

The Wold Newton Universe by Win Scott Eckert This collection expands on Farmer's genealogical research, connecting literary characters like Tarzan, Doc Savage, and Sherlock Holmes into one intricate family tree.

🦁 Author Philip José Farmer claimed that Tarzan was a real historical figure, and presented detailed genealogical research tracing the ape man's family tree back to ancient Rome. 🌿 The book suggests that Tarzan and Doc Savage are cousins, creating an intricate shared universe that would later be known as Farmer's "Wold Newton Family." 🗺️ Farmer meticulously analyzed inconsistencies in Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan novels, offering explanations for discrepancies by treating them as "errors" in historical records rather than fictional plot holes. 📚 The biography proposes that the "real" Tarzan's name was John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, and that he was born in 1888 and lived well into the 20th century. 🦍 To support his premise, Farmer included detailed medical and psychological analyses of how a human child could realistically survive being raised by great apes, drawing on contemporary primatology research.