When one thinks of the classic adventure-story authors of the pulp fiction era, H. Rider Haggard, Talbot Mundy, and Rafael Sabatini may come first to mind. But Arthur O. Friel's stellar contributions -- particularly his stories featuring Lourenco and Pedro, two workers on a rubber-tree plantation in the Amazon Jungle. Their adventures in the Amazon's mysterious back-country certainly deserve honorable mention. Here are tales of peril and last-minute rescue, brutal savages and men of honor, snake-worshipping armies and half-ape Lost Races-and many more! For in the shadows of the rain-forest, many evils lurk . . . human and otherwise! Features a new introduction by Darrell Schweitzer, eight short stories, and The Jararaca, a complete novel.

References of Amazons date back to the time of Plato where he mentions trade between the Amazons and the island nation of Atlantis. In the "Iliad," a reference is made as to a battle that occurred between the Amazons, an ally of Troy and a Greek contingent led by the Greek hero, Achilles. The battle ended with the death of the Amazon queen, and therein lies the beginning of my tale. The novel, Amazon Nights, explores the question of, can a civilization of women (or men for that matter) exist without having some interaction with the other sex? The answer to that question rest with the plight of the new queen to produce a female heir to the throne. For that, she needs the assistance of a man, one that can woo her, seduce her, excite her, and eventually impregnate her. The chosen male for this union has other ideas. He wants more-a relationship that is an unconditional commitment to love. And while these two people work out their differences, a plot to overthrow the queen unfolds and a new king sets off to claim the Amazon world. Monitoring the events as they unfold is a champion for both the Amazon queen and her lover-the great goddess Hera. She, too, is seeking an unconditional commitment to love and will do all within her power to aid the lovestruck pair. The final chapter culminates in a battle said to be too insignificant to be chronicled in the history books, but be forewarned there can be only one winner as revealed when the day blends into Amazon nights.

Award-winning author/illustrator Caroline Arnold invites readers to hunker down in the Amazon from sunrise to sunrise and experience one 24-hour cycle of animal activity in the rainforest habitat, starting and ending with-cricka, cricka!-a noisy toucan call. Her cut-paper illustrations, story-like text, and features such as sidebars, fun facts, and a glossary dazzle and delight.

References of Amazons date back to the time of Plato where he mentions trade between the Amazons and the island nation of Atlantis. In the "Iliad," a reference is made as to a battle that occurred between the Amazons, an ally of Troy and a Greek contingent led by the Greek hero, Achilles. The battle ended with the death of the Amazon queen, and therein lies the beginning of my tale. The novel, Amazon Nights, explores the question of, can a civilization of women (or men for that matter) exist without having some interaction with the other sex? The answer to that question rest with the plight of the new queen to produce a female heir to the throne. For that, she needs the assistance of a man, one that can woo her, seduce her, excite her, and eventually impregnate her. The chosen male for this union has other ideas. He wants more-a relationship that is an unconditional commitment to love. And while these two people work out their differences, a plot to overthrow the queen unfolds and a new king sets off to claim the Amazon world. Monitoring the events as they unfold is a champion for both the Amazon queen and her lover-the great goddess Hera. She, too, is seeking an unconditional commitment to love and will do all within her power to aid the lovestruck pair. The final chapter culminates in a battle said to be too insignificant to be chronicled in the history books, but be forewarned there can be only one winner as revealed when the day blends into Amazon nights.

This special edition of Strange Tales #9 is presented in the original magazine's dimensions. In addition to great work by Hugh B. Cave, L. Sprague de Camp, and many more, this edition adds "The Devil's Crypt," a novelet by E. Hoffmann Price.