Robert E. Howard, the legendary creator of Conan the Barbarian, Solomon Kane, and Kull the Conqueror, is a cornerstone of fantasy and pulp fiction. His action-packed tales of sword-wielding heroes, dark sorcery, and mythic worlds have captivated readers for decades. Suppose you’re new to Howard’s work or a seasoned fan looking to explore his bibliography. In that case, this guide provides a comprehensive list of Robert E. Howard’s books in order, focusing on his major series and standalone works. Let’s dive into the gritty, adventurous worlds of this iconic author!
Why Read Robert E. Howard’s Books?
Howard’s writing is raw, vivid, and immersive, blending heroic fantasy, horror, and adventure. His stories, often published in Weird Tales during the 1920s and 1930s, helped define the sword-and-sorcery genre. Whether you’re drawn to Conan’s barbaric strength, Solomon Kane’s grim Puritan resolve, or the philosophical musings of Kull, Howard’s tales offer something for every fantasy reader. Reading his books in order enhances your appreciation of his world-building and character arcs.
This guide organizes Howard’s works by series and publication order, making it easy to navigate his prolific output. We’ve also included tips on where to start and how to approach his bibliography for the best reading experience.
Robert E. Howard Books In Order
Robert E. Howard, the pioneering creator of sword-and-sorcery tales, produced a vast array of stories across multiple series during his short but prolific career. While many of his works were published posthumously in collections, the core of his legacy lies in character-driven series featuring iconic heroes like Conan the Cimmerian, Solomon Kane, and others. Below is a comprehensive table listing all major series, with books/stories ordered by their internal chronological sequence (based on the character’s timeline, where applicable, or publication order for standalone series). This focuses on Howard’s original contributions, excluding pastiches or completions by other authors unless integral to the series.
| Series | Book/Story Title | Type | Notes/Original Publication Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conan the Cimmerian (21 stories + 1 novel; chronological order by Conan’s age) | The Frost-Giant’s Daughter | Novelette | 1934 (as “Gods of the North”) |
| The Tower of the Elephant | Novelette | 1933 | |
| The God in the Bowl | Short Story | 1952 (posthumous) | |
| Rogues in the House | Novelette | 1934 | |
| Queen of the Black Coast | Novelette | 1934 | |
| Black Colossus | Novelette | 1933 | |
| Iron Shadows in the Moon | Novelette | 1934 (as “Shadows in the Moon”) | |
| Xuthal of the Dusk | Novelette | 1933 (as “The Slithering Shadow”) | |
| The Pool of the Black One | Novelette | 1933 | |
| The Devil in Iron | Novelette | 1934 | |
| The People of the Black Circle | Novella | 1934 | |
| A Witch Shall Be Born | Novelette | 1934 | |
| Jewels of Gwahlur | Novelette | 1935 | |
| The Servants of Bit-Yakin | Novelette | 1953 (posthumous; as “Beyond the Black River” fragment) | |
| Beyond the Black River | Novelette | 1935 | |
| Red Nails | Novella | 1936 | |
| The Black Stranger | Novella | 1953 (posthumous) | |
| Wolves Beyond the Border | Short Story | 2001 (posthumous fragment completion) | |
| The Phoenix on the Sword | Novelette | 1932 | |
| The Scarlet Citadel | Novelette | 1933 | |
| The Hour of the Dragon | Novel | 1935 (serialized; aka Conan the Conqueror) | |
| Solomon Kane (8 stories; publication order) | Red Shadows | Novelette | 1928 |
| Skulls in the Stars | Short Story | 1929 | |
| Rattle of Bones | Short Story | 1929 | |
| The Moon of Skulls | Novella | 1930 (serialized) | |
| The Hills of the Dead | Novelette | 1930 | |
| The Footfalls Within | Short Story | 1931 | |
| Wings in the Night | Novelette | 1932 | |
| Blades of the Brotherhood | Short Story | 1970 (posthumous) | |
| Kull of Atlantis (6 stories; publication order) | The Shadow Kingdom | Novelette | 1929 |
| The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune | Short Story | 1929 | |
| The Altar and the Scorpion | Short Story | 1933 (posthumous) | |
| Delcardes’ Cat | Short Story | 1937 (posthumous) | |
| Black Abyss | Short Story | 1975 (posthumous) | |
| By This Axe, I Rule! | Short Story | 1967 (posthumous) | |
| Bran Mak Morn (5 stories; publication order) | Worms of the Earth | Novelette | 1932 |
| Kings of the Night | Novelette | 1930 | |
| The Dark Man | Short Story | 1931 | |
| The Children of the Night | Short Story | 1931 | |
| The Last King | Short Story | 1987 (posthumous) | |
| El Borak (Francis Xavier Gordon) (11 stories; publication order) | The Daughter of Erlik Khan | Novella | 1934 |
| The Lost Valley of Iskander | Novella | 1934 | |
| The Blood of Belshazzar | Short Story | 1936 | |
| The Country of the Knife | Short Story | 1936 | |
| Son of the White Wolf | Novella | 1936 | |
| The Iron Ghost | Short Story | 1937 (posthumous) | |
| Three-Bladed Doom | Short Story | 1936 (as “Sons of the Hawk”) | |
| The Land of Shadow | Short Story | 1977 (posthumous) | |
| The Track of Bohinda | Short Story | 1976 (posthumous) | |
| The Broken Sword | Short Story | 1974 (posthumous) | |
| The Breath of Bast | Short Story | 1974 (posthumous) | |
| Sailor Steve Costigan (Boxing series; 18 stories; publication order) | The Pit of the Serpent | Short Story | 1929 |
| The Ring of Death | Short Story | 1929 | |
| Iron Men | Short Story | 1930 | |
| Sailor’s Grudge | Short Story | 1930 | |
| The Bulldog Breed | Short Story | 1930 | |
| Fist and Fang | Short Story | 1931 | |
| Champions Forever | Short Story | 1931 | |
| The Fightin’ Fool | Short Story | 1932 | |
| The Ring of Iron | Short Story | 1932 | |
| Waterfront Fists | Short Story | 1932 | |
| Texas Fists | Short Story | 1932 | |
| The Blue-Eyed Blizzard | Short Story | 1932 | |
| The Iron Clan | Short Story | 1933 | |
| The Shadow of the Beast | Short Story | 1933 | |
| Alleys of Darkness | Short Story | 1933 | |
| The Red Lightning | Short Story | 1935 | |
| Fist and Thunder | Short Story | 1938 (posthumous) | |
| The Gods of the North | Short Story | 1970 (posthumous) | |
| Breckinridge Elkins (Western humor; 20 stories; publication order) | A Gent from Bear Creek | Short Story | 1934 |
| The Black Bear Bites | Short Story | 1934 | |
| The Apish Ape | Short Story | 1935 | |
| Pistol Politics | Short Story | 1935 | |
| The Vultures of Wahpeton | Short Story | 1935 | |
| Mayhem on Bear Creek | Short Story | 1935 | |
| The Ghost of Sawtooth | Short Story | 1935 | |
| War on Bear Creek | Short Story | 1935 | |
| The Last Ride | Short Story | 1935 | |
| The Haunted Range | Short Story | 1935 | |
| The Night Hawks | Short Story | 1935 | |
| Mountain Man | Short Story | 1936 | |
| A Man-Eater on Bear Creek | Short Story | 1936 | |
| The Devils of Dogtown | Short Story | 1936 | |
| The Conquerin’ Breed of Hell | Short Story | 1936 | |
| The Pride of Bear Creek | Short Story | 1936 | |
| Gents on the Lynch | Short Story | 1936 | |
| Boot Hill Payoff | Short Story | 1936 | |
| Law West of the Pecos | Short Story | 1937 (posthumous) | |
| Sharp’s Gun Serenade | Short Story | 1937 (posthumous) | |
| Dark Agnes de Chastillon (Swordswoman; 3 stories; publication order) | Sword Woman | Novelette | 1934 |
| Blades for France | Novelette | 1975 (posthumous) | |
| The Sword of the Crimson Brothers | Novelette | 1978 (posthumous) | |
| Cormac Fitzgeoffrey (Norman knight; 3 stories; publication order) | Hawks of Outremer | Novelette | 1930 |
| The Blood of the Gods | Short Story | 1970 (posthumous) | |
| The Grey God Passes | Short Story | 1970 (posthumous) | |
| Black Vulmea (Pirate; 2 stories; publication order) | Black Vulmea’s Vengeance | Short Story | 1935 |
| The Isle of Pirate’s Doom | Short Story | 1975 (posthumous) |
Robert E. Howard Books In Order
Conan the Barbarian Series
The Conan stories are Howard’s most famous works, chronicling the adventures of the Cimmerian warrior across a prehistoric Hyborian Age. While the stories weren’t written in chronological order, they can be read based on Conan’s timeline or publication order. Below is a suggested reading order based on the character’s chronological journey, with original publication dates for context.
- “The Phoenix on the Sword” (1932) – Conan, now king of Aquilonia, faces a deadly conspiracy.
- “The Scarlet Citadel” (1933) – Betrayed and imprisoned, Conan battles dark sorcery to reclaim his throne.
- “The Tower of the Elephant” (1933) – A young Conan undertakes a daring heist in a wizard’s tower.
- “Black Colossus” (1933) – Conan leads an army against a resurrected sorcerer.
- “The Slithering Shadow” (also known as “Xuthal of the Dusk,” 1933) – Conan encounters a decadent city and a monstrous threat.
- “The Pool of the Black One” (1933) – Conan joins a pirate crew and faces supernatural horrors.
- “Rogues in the House” (1934) – A deadly trap pits Conan against a treacherous priest and a monstrous ape.
- “The Frost-Giant’s Daughter” (1932, published posthumously) – Conan pursues a mysterious woman in a frozen wasteland.
- “Iron Shadows in the Moon” (also known as “Shadows in the Moonlight,” 1934) – Conan battles pirates and ancient ruins.
- “Queen of the Black Coast” (1934) – Conan teams up with the pirate queen Bêlit for a tragic adventure.
- “The Devil in Iron” (1934) – Conan faces an ancient demon on a haunted island.
- “The People of the Black Circle” (1934) – Conan battles sorcerers in a Himalayan-inspired kingdom.
- “A Witch Shall Be Born” (1934) – Conan aids a crucified queen against her evil twin.
- “Jewels of Gwahlur” (also known as “The Servants of Bit-Yakin,” 1935) – Conan seeks a legendary treasure in a jungle temple.
- “Beyond the Black River” (1935) – Conan defends settlers against savage Picts.
- “Shadows in Zamboula” (also known as “Man-Eaters of Zamboula,” 1935) – Conan faces cannibals and dark magic in a desert city.
- “The Hour of the Dragon” (1935–1936, novel) – Conan’s only full-length novel, where he fights to reclaim his kingdom from an ancient evil.
- “Red Nails” (1936) – Conan and Valeria battle rival factions in a lost city.
Note: Many Conan stories were published posthumously, and later collections like those from Del Rey (The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian, The Bloody Crown of Conan, The Conquering Sword of Conan) compile them in chronological order with Howard’s original texts.
Where to Start: Begin with The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian for early stories like “The Tower of the Elephant” and “Queen of the Black Coast,” which showcase Conan’s youth and prime.
Solomon Kane Series
Solomon Kane, the Puritan adventurer, blends swordplay with supernatural horror. These stories are darker and more introspective than Conan’s. Below is the suggested reading order based on Kane’s timeline.
- “Skulls in the Stars” (1929) – Kane battles a ghostly menace in England’s moors.
- “The Right Hand of Doom” (1928, published posthumously) – Kane confronts a sorcerer’s betrayal.
- “Red Shadows” (1928) – Kane pursues vengeance across Europe and Africa.
- “Rattle of Bones” (1929) – Kane faces undead horrors in a cursed inn.
- “The Moon of Skulls” (1930) – Kane discovers a lost African city ruled by an ancient evil.
- “The One Black Stain” (poem, 1962) – A poetic interlude in Kane’s saga.
- “The Blue Flame of Vengeance” (also known as “Blades of the Brotherhood,” 1968) – Kane battles pirates and dark forces.
- “The Hills of the Dead” (1930) – Kane faces voodoo and zombies in Africa.
- “Hawk of Basti” (fragment, completed by others) – Kane’s unfinished tale of a mysterious ally.
- “The Footfalls Within” (1931) – Kane battles slavers and ancient sorcery.
- “Wings in the Night” (1932) – Kane faces winged horrors in the jungle.
- “The Children of Asshur” (fragment, completed by others) – Kane discovers a lost empire.
Where to Start: The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane (Del Rey) collects these stories in order, offering a great entry point.
Kull the Conqueror Series
Kull, the Atlantean king, is a precursor to Conan, blending philosophical musings with barbaric action. The stories are set in the ancient Thurian Age.
- “Exile of Atlantis” (1929, published posthumously) – Kull’s origin as a young warrior.
- “The Shadow Kingdom” (1929) – Kull battles serpent-men posing as humans.
- “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune” (1929) – Kull grapples with existential questions in a mystical mirror.
- “The Cat and the Skull” (also known as “Delcardes’ Cat,” 1967) – Kull uncovers a deadly plot.
- “The Screaming Skull of Silence” (1967) – Kull faces an ancient, silent evil.
- “The Striking of the Gong” (1976) – A philosophical tale of Kull’s musings on reality.
- “The Altar and the Scorpion” (1967) – Kull protects a sacred shrine.
- “The Curse of the Golden Skull” (1967) – A short tale of vengeance and sorcery.
- “By This Axe I Rule!” (1967) – Kull defies tradition to save a lover, later reworked into a Conan story.
- “Swords of the Purple Kingdom” (1967) – Kull faces betrayal and rebellion.
- “Kings of the Night” (1930) – Kull teams up with Bran Mak Morn against Roman invaders.
Where to Start: Kull: Exile of Atlantis (Del Rey) compiles all Kull stories and fragments, perfect for diving into this introspective hero.
Bran Mak Morn and Other Historical Tales
Bran Mak Morn, the Pictish king, fights against Roman oppression in ancient Britain. These stories blend historical fiction with dark fantasy.
- “Men of the Shadows” (1926, published posthumously) – Bran’s early tale of Pictish resistance.
- “Kings of the Night” (1930) – Bran allies with Kull in a time-crossing battle.
- “The Dark Man” (1931) – A statue of Bran becomes a focal point for vengeance.
- “Worms of the Earth” (1932) – Bran seeks supernatural aid against the Romans.
Other Historical Tales:
- “The Gods of Bal-Sagoth” (1931) – Featuring Turlogh Dubh O’Brien, a Celtic warrior.
- “The Grey God Passes” (1962) – Another Turlogh tale of battle and mysticism.
- “Spear and Fang” (1925) – A prehistoric tale of early humans.
Where to Start: Bran Mak Morn: The Last King (Del Rey) is the go-to collection for these gritty tales.
Standalone Stories and Other Works
Howard also wrote horror, westerns, and boxing stories. Notable standalones include:
- “Pigeons from Hell” (1938) – A chilling Southern Gothic horror tale.
- “The Black Stone” (1931) – A Lovecraftian horror story tied to the Cthulhu Mythos.
- “The Valley of the Worm” (1934) – A heroic tale of a warrior facing a monstrous evil.
- “Almuric” (1939, novel) – A science-fantasy novel about a man transported to a barbaric planet.
Where to Start: The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard (Del Rey) collects his non-series horror tales.
Tips for Reading Robert E. Howard’s Books
- Start with Conan: The Conan series is Howard’s most accessible and popular work. Begin with The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian for a mix of adventure and world-building.
- Explore Del Rey Collections: These modern editions restore Howard’s original texts, free from editorial changes made in older publications.
- Mix Series for Variety: Alternate between Conan’s action, Solomon Kane’s horror, and Kull’s philosophy to appreciate Howard’s range.
- Read Chronologically or by Publication: Chronological order (as listed above) follows the characters’ lives, while publication order reflects Howard’s writing evolution.
- Embrace the Pulp Style: Howard’s prose is vivid and fast-paced, perfect for readers who love gritty, immersive storytelling.
Why Howard’s Work Endures
Robert E. Howard’s stories remain timeless for their visceral energy, memorable characters, and evocative settings. His influence spans fantasy, comics, movies, and games, with Conan alone inspiring countless adaptations. Whether you’re a fan of epic battles, dark mysteries, or philosophical heroes, Howard’s bibliography has something to offer.
Where to Find Robert E. Howard’s Books
- Del Rey Collections: Available at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org.
- Ebooks and Audiobooks: Platforms like Kindle, Audible, and Project Gutenberg (for public domain works) offer many titles.
- Libraries: Check local libraries or interlibrary loan for physical copies.
- Secondhand Bookstores: Vintage paperbacks from the 1960s–1980s are collectors’ items.
Conclusion
Robert E. Howard’s books transport readers to worlds of unrelenting danger and heroic triumphs. By following this guide to his books in order, you can experience the full scope of his legendary characters—Conan, Solomon Kane, Kull, and beyond. Start with a Conan story like “The Tower of the Elephant,” and let Howard’s raw, adventurous prose pull you into his unforgettable universes. Which Howard hero will you follow first? Share your thoughts in the comments, and happy reading!
