Edgar Rice Burroughs and Tarzan: A Biography of the Author and His Creation [Hardcover]

Robert W. Fenton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2003

Like millions of other readers and moviegoers, as a youngster the late Robert W. Fenton loved swinging through the jungle with Tarzan. As an adult his interest was revived when he bought Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs' original office-estate in Tarzana, California, and began writing a biography of Burroughs. Originally titled The Big Swingers, it was the first full-scale, commercially published account of Burroughs' life and work. Here is Fenton's 1967 biography, back in print, as a wonderful source for a new generation of readers. Burroughs' early years were far from promising--he was dropped from school, undistinguished as a cavalryman at Fort Grant, lost out in gold mining, and had little success as a salesman. He knew nothing about writing, but decided to try it anyway--and created Tarzan, one of the most famous characters of all time. He also wrote 25 sequels and 40 other novels. This book includes letters, documents, synopses, lists of characters, and plots and themes Burroughs used in his work, and also reveals his interest in and ready observations on such issues as women's suffrage, prohibition, morality in Hollywood, and the Scopes trial in Tennessee. Some new photographs are included, along with a new foreword by Burroughs scholar George T. McWhorter.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A veritable treasure trove of information." --Midwest Book Review



"An item which all ERB fans will want." --Interzone --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Robert W. Fenton wrote articles for Time, published his own newspaper (The European Traveler) and founded Teen Features Syndicate. He died in 1968. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (February 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078641393X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786413935
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,381,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE WORLD OF E.R.B., March 11, 2004

By 

G. L. Bell "garry1952" (Russell Springs, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Edgar Rice Burroughs and Tarzan: A Biography of the Author and His Creation (Hardcover)

For any fan of Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, Venus series, Pellucidar, even Westerns, and many more, this biography of the creator of all of the above, is a must have and a must read!!! I discovered Tarzan and John Carter in the 60s when paperback editions were readily available. Add to that replays of old movies on TV (Tarzan - Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Crabbe, and the rest) and the creation of a fan was in the making. This reprint of the 1967 (The Big Swingers) makes this enthralling look at the life and times of Edgar Rice Burroughs available for the first time in too many years. Now, old and "new" fans alike can marvel at the fullness of this work. I can't praise it enough for allowing this "older" fan to relive the memories of cinema, television, and books that enchanted me as a youngster. For fans and followers, young and old, this book is an absolute essential for your library.