Most Popular Books by L. Sprague

This is the definitive biography of Robert E. Howard, a giant of the pulp era, who created the archetypal brooding fantasy figure. To the general public, he is virtually unknown, but millions are familiar with the name and exploits of his most famous creation: Conan, the barbarian.

Strom: Mercury How did Mercury get such an enormous iron core? Why is its tectonic framework so different from any other planet or satellite? What is its crystal composition? Why is the crust so depleted in iron when the interior is so rich in that element? What are the polar deposits? Where do the elements in the exosphere come from? Mercury is a planet shrouded in mystery. Only 45 percent of its surface has been seen in any detail, and that was from the Mariner 10 flyby in 1974. Yet what is known only makes the planet more fascinating. New Earth-based observations have shed light on surface and exosphere compositions, and re-evaluations of the Mariner 10 data, using modern image processing techniques, show evidence for volcanic flow fronts, pyroclastics and other volcanic phenomena not seen before. This ground-breaking book not only chronicles what has been discovered, but looks ahead to what has yet to emerge. An accompanying CD contains all the best Mariner 10 images, including the data for each image, photomosaics and maps.

Outside the walls of the starport Novorecife, Earthmen on the warrior planet Kishna are on their own. So when he is chosen to lead the first ersuma (Earth-tourists) through the sorcerer-kingdoms of this "protected" medieval world, Fergus Reith must first learn to speak Durou; must take the chemical oath against imparting technical information; and must above all else learn to handle a broadsword! All these skills are needed when Reith finds himself and his ersuma trapped as pawns in a deadly war between a sorceress and a sterile kingdom under three moons . . . The Hostage of Zir is the third of L. Sprague de Camp''s Krishna book - interplanetary romance in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs'' Martian Tales.

The King had a good head on his shoulders -- for the moment, anyway. Everyone agreed that King Jorian of Xylar had been a good and just ruler. In fact, many also agreed that, in this case, it was a pity that the laws of Xylar decreed that each randomly chosen King must reign for only five years and then, after due pomp and ceremony, have his head cut off! Understandably, Jorian himself was wholeheartedly in agreement with the second sentiment, so with the help of a spell provided by the wizard Karadur, he escaped from the beheading ceremony with his head still on his shoulders. Unfortunately, his beloved wife, Queen Estrildis, was left behind, and getting her out of Xylar would be anything but simple -- particularly with the Royal Guard of Xylar hot on the trail of their fugitive monarch. With Karadur''s magic, Jorian might be able to pull off the rescue. But first, he would have to locate a trove of ancient spells, deal with an enemy wizard, steal an item from a 500-year-old (but still beautiful) princess who turns into a giant serpent at inopportune moments, repair the giant tower clocks of Iraz to fulfill a prophecy, break a pirate siege, and finally fly back to Xylar in an enchanted bathtub and whisk away his beloved Estrildis before the Royal Guard notices that their King (not to mention his head) has returned. Then things began to get complicated....

On the 15th day of Franklin, Year of Descent 1008, in the Kralate of Vizantia Planet Kforri. A young teacher, Marko Prokopiu, is convicted and jailed. His heinous crime: preaching the false and unholy belief that Kforri was originally settled by men arriving from Earth in flying machines - a dangerous heresy against the official doctrine of divine evolution. Goaded into jail-break by his wife''s desertion and mightily armed with his father''s great ax, Markorushes to avenge his marital honour. With an eminent philosopher, Dr. Halran, inventor of the incredible hot-air balloon, Marko journeys perilously to exotic lands - to decadent Anglonia, hostile Afka, civilised Eropia and, at last, the all-female Isle of Mnaenn. There, by clever ruse and uncommon physical daring, he must recover the Great Fetish and solve the riddle of planet Kforri''s ancient history, or meet a fate more complicated than death!

Two of the most famous contributors to the Conan legend write the official novel of CONAN THE BARBARIAN, the seminal fantasy film by John Milius. In 1982, Robert E. Howard''s iconic literary antihero, CONAN, slashed his way from page to screen after a perilous decades-long journey. With its potent mix of epic vistas and bloody battles, CONAN THE BARBARIAN thrilled moviegoers around the world and launched the film career of Arnold Schwarzenegger. To mark the occasion, CONAN authors and editors L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter were tasked with translating the visions of filmmakers John Milius and Oliver Stone back to the printed page in this rollicking novelization of the original screenplay. Heroic Signatures is proud to bring this sublime work of sword and sorcery back into print!

Examines the role of neurotransmitters in the abnormal movement disorders that are sometimes diagnosed in developmentally disabled, mentally retarded and autistic populations as well as in some elderly patients. Various research trends and developments are considered.

When Fergus Reith agrees to act as tour guide for the famed palaeontologist Dr Aristide Marot, little does he realise that the search for the elusive Ozymandias will uncover spectacular riches, ruthless adversaries - and his former wife, the seductive Dr. Alicia Dyckman! Caught in a bloody civil was, the three adventurers must fight or face death by boiling in the Cauldron of Repentance! The secrets of the planet Krishna continue to unfold in L. Sprague de Camp''s latest tale of mystery, treachery and romance. The Bones of Zora is the sixth of L. Sprague de Camp''s Krishna book - interplanetary romance in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs'' Martian Tales.

Set in the time of Dionysios I of Syracuse, at the beginning of the 4th century BC, Th e Arrows of Hercules tells the tale of Zopyros of Tarentum, an engineer who invents an improved type of catapult. *** He is quickly drafted by Dionysios into Syracuse''s war efforts against Carthage, which sets him on a series of adventures including a battle against Etruscan pirates and a kidnapping in Carthage. *** L. Sprague''s meticulous attention to historical accuracy makes this a remarkable read which entertains as much as it teaches us about fascinating events that shaped the course of history. *** ---------- "Exciting and quite believable adventures."-Classical World ---------- "Rousing piece of fi ction...pace is rapid and unrelenting." -Th e Arizona Republic ---------- "Highly Recommended...intriguing novel."-Library Journal

The king of Vendhya is dead, the victim of black magic. At the request of the king''s sister, Conan scales the craggy peaks of the Himelians to the fortress of the Black Seers. There he must battle powerful magicians with the only weapons he has--his cunning and his strength.

Fleeing the outraged father of Adeliza, Kerin discovers Princess Nogiri being held captive on a pirate''s ship, and is determined to rescue her