Tros of Samothrace is a Greek adventurer whose path crosses Julius Caesar’s throughout this series. Plenty of trickery and combat result. Talbot Mundy wrote these stories back in the 1920s but the spirit of High Adventure still lives in these pages. Here’s the original publishing dates:
The original sequence of novellas appeared as follows:
1. “Tros of Samothrace”, 10 February 1925 (later became chapters 1-14 of the novel)
2. “The Enemy of Rome”, 10 April 1925 (chapters 15-26)
3. “Prisoners of War”, 10 June 1925 (chapters 27-37)
4. “Hostages to Luck”, 20 August 1925 (chapters 38-51)
5. “Admiral of Caesar’s Fleet”, 10 October 1925 (chapters 52-66)
6. “The Dancing Girl of Gades”, 10 December 1925 (chapters 67-81)
7. “Messenger of Destiny”, part 1, 10 February 1926 (chapters 82-87)
8. “Messenger of Destiny”, part 2, 20 February 1926 (chapters 88-92)
9. “Messenger of Destiny”, part 3, 28 February 1926 (chapters 93-96)
Avon Books reprinted the Tros of Samothrace series in the 1960s (6 volumes) and Zebra Books reprinted them in the 1970s (3 volumes). I prefer the Avon editions especially Volumes 5 and 6 with wonderful Jeff Jones covers. If you’re a fan of High Adventure and epic journeys, the Tros series will delight you! This is Old School excitement.
Somebody’s been rummaging in the basement again.
Bill, you’re right! I had forgotten all about these books until I unearthed them a week ago. Talbot Mundy could write some great adventure novels.
I remember in the old days of DAPA-EM when Frank Denton wrote about Mundy’s Jimgrim series. I’ve never read him but this sounds possible.
Jeff, if you need a High Adventure fix, TROS OF SAMOTHRACE will deliver. There’s also a 1-volume hardcover edition, but it’s a 1000 pages!
I have, or perhaps had, the first two you show. I tried Tros a couple of times over the years, but could never get into it enough to finish the book. This is just too dated in writing, language and plot for me.
Rick, Talbot Mundy’s style is old-fashioned but he knows how to tell a story.
George, for a moment I thought these were graphic novels. The covers are fantastic.
Prashant, I really like the Jeff Jones covers on Volumes 5 and 6. You’re right: all of the covers are eye-catching!