Gossipy short biographies of major early and important fantasy writers. Has the feel of essays from different sources thrown together to make "chapters" in the book (which is what it actually is). Notable for its exceptions (no Arthur Machen?) and inclusion of too many pulp era writers. Weird introduction by De Camp's "protege" Lin Carter that both praises and criticizes sharply the book's contents.

I did find some of the essays of some help in getting more understanding of writers like E.R. Eddison but De Camp's inclusion of strange random quirky, not always complimentary, details from each author's personal life was unnecessary and distracting. It wasn't at all clear what these idiosyncrasies had to do with the author's writing other than demeaning the person in some weird way.

De Camp was notably a second rate writer so don't expect any literary masterpiece here. This can be a short interesting read for anyone interested in early formative fantasy writing, but there are better surveys of the topics out there, particularly Douglas A. Anderson's Tales Before Tolkien: The Roots of Modern Fantasy. ( )

A bit light on details, rather chatty, but some good info ( )