The Outlaw of Torn [Hardcover]

Edgar Rice Burroughs (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0848812565 | ISBN-13: 978-0848812560 | Publication Date: February 1999

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950), after a brief service in the US cavalry, persued a business career which was punctuated with intermissions as a gold miner, storekeeper, cowboy in Idaho and a police officer in Salt Lake City. He finally found success as a writer in 1914. His first novel, "Tarzan of the Apes", was an immediate success.

Even though he is famous for his Tarzan series, Burroughs also is well known for his science fiction series such as John Carter of Mars, the Land Time Forgot and other series. Burroughs also wrote a number of less well known individual novels on various topics. Quiet Vision brings you a selection of these novels.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book is a large print version using a minimum of 16 point type in a 6 by 9 inch size and perfect bound - a paperback. As with all Quiet Vision print books, it use a high grade, acid free paper for long life. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Amereon Ltd (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0848812565
• ISBN-13: 978-0848812560
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,921,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic tale of good versus evil set in medieval England., April 30, 1999

By 

Brian A. Williams (Oak Harbor, wa USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Outlaw of Torn (Hardcover)

Fiction meets historical fiction in a pleasant departure from what I term "the ERB formula", The Outlaw of Torn takes place during one of the most difficult and violent times in English history. Resulting from hatred, jealousy and the continual struggle for power between King Henry III and Earl Simon De Montfort, the stage is set for a vengeful man to nurture and manipulate a child to become the most feared and ruthless warlord of his time. But, can a man live his life in constant conflict with his true nature? I first read this book in the early seventies and I've re-read it many times. It still remains my all-time favorite book. I'm tempted to send a copy to Hollywood.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great swordplay pulp novel from Edgar Rice Burroughs, June 17, 2001

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Outlaw of Torn (Paperback)

Edgar Rice Burroughs is best known for his Tarzan novels and better known for his Mars, Pellucidar and other science-fiction series, but "The Outlaw of Torn" is one of his best pulp fiction yarns. It was actually the second story Burroughs wrote. Apparently the editor at "All-Story," which had published "Tarzan of the Apes," suggested ERB write it and then rejected the story when it was submitted. It was then published in five parts in "New Story Magazine" (January-May 1914), and the first book edition was published in 1927.

Burroughs begins with his standard storytelling device: the author comes across the story of Richard, the lost prince of England and tells it to his readers. Henry III of England insults Sir Jules de Vac, who takes his vengeance by kidnapping young Prince Richard. As Norman, the Outlaw of Torn, the young man becomes the greatest swordsman in England and a fearless outlaw with a price upon his head who raises an army loyal only to him. Of course, although he is ignorant of his noble birth, he is drawn to the lovely Bertrade de Montfort, daughter of the King's brother-in-law, the Earl of Leicester. This romance fits in nicely with the plans of de Vac, who contrives situations in which the king will be responsible for killing his own son. Yes, the ending is predictable, but ERB has a great sense of pacing and you have to remember that he was writing this decades before all of the Errol Flynn movies that would define the swordplay genre.

The obvious comparison for "The Outlaw of Torn" is with Robin Hood, but Burroughs' pulp novel has its own tale to tell. This really is one of his best novels and as an example of the pulp fiction of the early 20th century it is a first-class work. Keep in mind that he tended to do a lot of sequels, and they started to get rather redundant and repetitive (especially in the last half of the Tarzan novels). But "The Outlaw of Torn" stands out because as a historical novel it is unlike pretty much everything else Burroughs wrote. I read every ERB novel I could get my hands on as a kid, and "The Outlaw of Torn," in my 75 cent Ace Paperback edition with the Roy Krenkle cover, has been the one I have re-read the most.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Tale of War and Romance, January 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Outlaw of Torn (Hardcover)

Although one of Burroughs' greatest works, curiously this book still remains relatively unknown. Set in wild and lawless 13th Century England, "The Outlaw of Torn" details the life of a bloodthirsty outlaw who becomes one of England's noblest heroes. As this outcast from society learns life's lessons about love and war, loyalty and betrayal, and friendship and hate, the reader will be rapidly swept along by Burroughs' masterful storytelling. I've read this book at least two dozen times, and each time it gets better. "The Outlaw of Torn" has my absolute highest recommendation.