The Big Book of Swashbuckling Adventure: Classic Tales of Dashing Heroes, Dastardly Villains, and Daring Escapes

(Paperback)

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Description

The word "swashbuckler" conjures up an indelible image: a hero who's a bit of a rogue but has his own code of honor, an adventurer with laughter on his lips and a flashing sword in his hand. This larger-than-life figure is regularly declared passe, but the swashbuckler is too appealing to ever really die. Who wouldn't want to face deadly danger with confidence and elan Who can deny the thrill of clashing blades, hairbreadth escapes, and daring rescues, of facing vile treachery with dauntless courage and passionate devotion The swashbuckler tradition was born out of legends like those of the Knights of the Round Table and of Robin Hood, revived in the early 19th century by Romantic movement authors such as Sir Walter Scott. The genre caught hold with the publication of Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers in 1844, and for the next century it was arguably the world's leading form of adventure fiction. Featuring selections by twenty hugely popular writers from the last century including Rafael Sabatini; Johnston Mcculley (creator of the Zorro character); Alexandre Dumas: Arthur Conan Doyle; and Pierce Egan (author of Robin Hood), this anthology is dedicated to the swashbuckler's roots: historical adventures by the masters of the genre. Most of these stories have been out of print for decades; some have never before been collected in book form. All are top-notch entertainment. So, ready for some action En garde!

Reviews

"Captain Blood, Zorro, the Scarlet Pimpernel, Brigadier Gerard, Robin Hood; stories with titles such as 'Pirate's Gold' and 'The Queen's Rose'- this is just the gift for, in Arthur Conan Doyle's words, 'the boy who's half a man, OR the man who's half a boy.'" -- Michael Dirda - The Washington Post "A fantastic selection of brilliant, old-school swashbucklers. Ellsworth has chosen sterling historical adventures from neglected and forgotten writers." -- Howard Andrew Jones, author of the acclaimed Desert of Souls series and editor of the eight-volume collected historical adventures of Harold Lamb "An excellent read for all those who enjoy swashbuckling-and for those who'd like an introduction to the world of derring-do." -- AuthorLink "The combined historical research is impressive. The tales are as quick and cutting as a rapier blade. An excellent and entertaining survey of the genre's roots, a brilliant selection of dash, pluck, skill, yearning, and fortune." -- Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Lawrence Ellsworth is the pen name of Lawrence Schick. He began his career as a writer at TSR Hobbies, where he was instrumental in the development and early popularity of the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. Promoted to Executive Director of Interactive Entertainment at America Online in the late 1990s, he oversaw games content strategy for all of AOL's brands. He is currently working on a full translation of Alexandre Dumas' novel Le Comte de Moret. Lawrence lives in Bethesda, Maryland.