A Review By Thomas McNulty
The name Robin Hood immediately brings to mind an image of Errol Flynn swinging on a vine in Sherwood Forest. Robin Hood has long been a captivating, popular folk hero, and many actors besides Flynn have tackled the role, including Russell Crowe whose current take on the legendary bandit of Sherwood is destined to remain popular, if not definitive.
From time to time various writers have put their imaginations to work recreating Robin of Sherwood’s exploits. Recently Stephen R. Lawhead realized great success with his “King Raven Trilogy” comprised of, “Hood,” “Scarlet” and “Tuck.” Perhaps the most unusual Robin Hood story I’ve read was written by Nancy A. Collins and appeared in her collection “Avenue X and Other Dark Streets.” The story is called “The One-Eyed King” and this is truly one strange version of the Robin Hood legend, but not without merit.
Of course the best known book is Howard Pyle’s “The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood” which remains in print and will undoubtedly find a new audience as interest in the Ridley Scott-Russell Crowe film gathers momentum. But there is another book on the market written by a British author named I. A. Watson that I believe deserves your attention. It’s called “Robin Hood – King of Sherwood” and it’s published by Cornerstone Book Publishers in conjunction with Ron Fortier’s Airship 27 Productions.
The beautiful cover is by Mike Manley with interior illustrations by Rob Davis. In his superb afterword, Watson provides an historical overview of the Robin Hood legend and explains his affection for the pulp magazines of a bygone age: “In writing “King of Sherwood” I was consciously trying to tell the story as if it had been commissioned for such a publication. This is Robin Hood as if he had appeared in Argosy or the Strand Magazine.”
Indeed, this is adventure writing at its finest, i.e., literate, suspenseful, action-packed and genuine. Nothing further need be said except this – for further information about series editor Ron Fortier and illustrator Rob Davis simply google “Airship 27.”
To purchase the book simply click onto Amazon right now and order a copy. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
— David DeWitt
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