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Last week marked the birthday of one of the most iconic and enduring figures in pulp literature, Robert E. Howard. Interestingly, this day also happens to share significance in my life, as it’s my son’s birthday too—though more than a century separates their births. That parallel sparked a reflection on why Howard’s stories continue to captivate me and remain a cornerstone of fiction culture.
Howard, the creator of Conan the Barbarian and a pantheon of other rugged, larger-than-life characters, was a master of vivid, uncompromising storytelling. His tales are imbued with raw energy, adventure, and a sense of danger that transcends time. What makes his writing fascinating isn’t just the action-packed narratives or the indomitable spirits of his protagonists—it’s the way Howard rooted his fictional worlds in history.
Howard was known to devour historical texts, using his passion for history as a wellspring of inspiration. His fictional Hyborian Age, for example, is essentially a “what if” playground of ancient cultures and civilizations, from Mesopotamia to the Vikings, reimagined and stitched together with his boundless creativity. This "monetization of history," if you will, has influenced not only my own creative projects like PsychScape, which revolves around historical adventures but also modern entertainment, from epic fantasy series to video games.
But why does Howard still resonate? I believe it’s the authenticity of his voice. His storytelling, though written in the early 20th century, remains bold, unapologetic, and refreshingly politically incorrect by today’s standards. It reflects a kind of artistic honesty that feels fearless and alive. Howard didn’t pander; he wrote the way his characters would act—bold, passionate, and unrelenting.
This same fearlessness can be seen in the way Howard wove historical textures into his plots. For instance, Conan’s journeys feel tactile and grounded because they echo real-world human struggles—whether it’s the rise and fall of empires, the brutality of survival, or the tension between civilization and barbarism. His short story Beyond the Black River captures this tension exquisitely, pitting the wilderness and primal instinct against encroaching societal order.
Interestingly, Howard’s writing reminds me of modern influences like Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power. Just as Greene takes historical lessons and reshapes them into timeless strategies, Howard drew from history to imbue his stories with an enduring sense of universality. Both creators understand that the human condition remains largely unchanged, even across centuries.
Howard’s style also aligns with the ethos of figures like Racon Gunner from the Man of Ages universe—a bold, wandering adventurer whose stories similarly confront life’s raw edge and thrive on uncharted exploration. As Racon puts it, “Sometimes we must do things the hard way”—a phrase that feels perfectly at home in Howard’s worlds.
To dive deeper into Howard’s impact, I recommend exploring the following articles and essays:
Howard’s legacy, much like his characters, is larger than life. As we celebrate his birthday, let’s remember the unapologetic creativity and historical richness he brought to the literary world. His stories serve as a reminder to embrace boldness in our creative pursuits, just as he did with every tale he wrote.
