Other Apocalypses - Combining Tolkien and Howard

[El Borak]

From the First to the Hyborian Age: a combined Tolkien/Robert E. Howard timeline (Author Unknown - web.archive.org/web/20080517070353/http://www.novanotes.com/fantime.htm)

The Mystery of the Great Cataclysm by Dale Rippke

The Robert E. Howard United Press Association A website catering to Howard scholars

The Robert E Howard Foundation

Tolkien Gateway

Sale offers proof that J.R.R. Tolkien likely read Robert E. Howard

The Hyborian Tome [Hyborian War] mperial Conquest in the Age of Conan Play-By-Mail Game

[randyb]

The idea that Tolkien read Howard is so utterly believable, and so blindingly likely, that I can't see how it would be controversial. Then again, "<my favorite author> created sui generis" is an all-too-common conceit, especially when the suggested influences are <that kind of thing>.

[hengest]

I'm sure this thread is appropriately sorted already, but looking back at it makes me wonder if we should have a Tolkien section. Or if we already do and I missed it.

Anyway, I agree with randyb that it is blindingly likely, and there is an indirect quote (I think, I have not read it, but heard from a friend) in this new book on Tolkien that says that he "rather liked" the Conan tales.  

Of course, the "my favorite author created X out of nothing" is common, but not so useful.  Tolkien's imagination was much bigger even than his huge creation, Middle-Earth.  I have no doubt that he was capable of liking many things that most of his fans, especially me, do not have a taste for.