Dr Simon Reads...

Dr. Simon Reads Appendix N Part Six: L Sprague de Camp This is a sporadic feature, in which I explore classic fantasy and science fiction works. You will either know what I mean by “Appendix N”, or you will have no clue. If the former, skip the next paragraph. Otherwise, read on. In the original Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Masters Guide, Gary Gygax provided a large number of appendices, from random smells to reputed magical properties of herbs and gemstones. Appendix N was a bibliography of works that inspired him. Back in 1982 when I first got hold of this book, there were only a couple of items on there that I’d read, and only a few other authors that I’d even heard of. Many years later, after much reading, I returned to Appendix N expecting to have added greatly to the works on there that I’d read; but actually, there were still very few. Many of the authors were obscure or out of print authors of, for want of a better expression, golden age pulp; the kind that fea