If you've never read any of Robert E. Howard's fiction because of those lame-@$$ Conan movies then you are missing out on a real treat. Mr. Cerasini and his colleague Charles Hoffman are considered the country's premeir REH scholars and that rep was earned SOLELY by this slim volume. In addition to the larger than life warrior from Cimmeria for whom REH is best remembered, Messrs. C. and H. cover Kull, Solomon Kane, Red Sonja, and lesser stars, plus his contributions to contemporary author H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos stories. The authors make their case that in addition to almost single-handedly creating hard-boiled American fantasy, they also feel that had he not taken his own life he'd be more famous for the natural writing he'd started at the end of his career, a sort of James Dickey/John McPhee type. (My choice of authors, not theirs!). If you liked "The Whole Wide World", the movie based on REH's life, you can't miss out on this cult-status volume of LitCrit that places REH squarely where he deserves, in the pantheon of Classic American Authors. Enjoy!