Robert Ervin Howard (January 22, 1906 â June 11, 1936) was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. In a meteoric career that spanned a mere twelve years, Robert E. Howard single-handedly invented the sword and sorcery genre. From his fertile imagination sprang some of fictionâs most enduring heroes. Yet while Conan is indisputably Howardâs greatest creation, it was in his earlier sequence of tales featuring Kull, a fearless warrior with the brooding intellect of a philosopher, that Howard began to develop the distinctive themes, and the richly evocative blend of history and mythology. Kull is an exile from fabled Atlantis who wins the crown of Valusia, only to find it as much a burden as a prize. This collection gathers together three stories plus one poem featuring Kull â âThe Shadow Kingdomâ, âThe Mirrors Of Tuzun Thuneâ, âKings of the Nightâ and âThe King And The Oakâ.