FROM THE PUBLISHER

Ever since ancestral storytellers drew myths and monsters, lost worlds, dragons, and heroes from the very mist of their imaginations, fantastic tales have allowed us to visit wondrous worlds "beyond" while nestled comfortably in an armchair. This is the stuff dreams are made of, where the past gives way to Fantasy of the 20th Century.

Author Randy Broecker is your guide to fantasy history as he maps its many splendors. From the earliest classical epics of gods and mortals, such as Homer's Odyssey, The Nibelungenlied with its saga of Seigried, and the exotic wonders of The Arabian Nights, this book is a journey through the imaginations of many talented individuals who gave form to their fancies. Here are the voyages launched by some of the celebrated pioneers of the genre: William Morris, Lord Dunsany, H. Rider Haggard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, A. Merritt, Clark Ashton Smith, and Robert E. Howard, writers who sailed off the edge of the known world into worlds of their own creation. In Fantasy of the 20th Century you will visit these fabulous lands and a multitude of others, from L. Frank Baum's enchanted land of Oz to the grand scale of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth.

Prepare to set sail on a magical voyage of discovery, whether it's the majesty of King Arthur's domain or that of Faerie, a sword pulled from a stone to claim a kingdom or weapons wielded against sorcerous magic in the hands of Conan the Barbarian.Collectors, aficionados, and readers alike will be amazed by the depth and breadth of Broecker's historical survey-and will be proud to make it a part of their library.

Randy Broecker is a well-established resident of the world of fantasy, having illustrated its wonders worldwide for over 30 years. He has been sought by numerous award-winning publishers and his works have graced the pages of several grand masters of fantasy literature. As an artist and longtime collector of fantasy art and literature, Broecker offers a unique perspective showcasing both writers and artists and how their fantastic worlds have stimulated our imaginations for over a century. He lives with his wife in Chicago, where he continues to create fantastic illustrations in his century-old brick bungalow.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly