The Gygax Classic Fantasy Book List

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The Gygax Classic Fantasy Book List

28 December 2008 6 Comments

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One of the hidden gems in the old Dungeon Master’s Guide for the original AD&D was “Appendix N” – Gary Gygax’s own list of recommended books that he felt were an inspiration in the creation of the original Dungeons & Dragons game.

I remember looking over the list back in the early 80s and not paying it much attention (I was more interested in playing the RPG!), but now that I’m older I think this might be a good list of books to get around to reading over the next year (aside from the ones I’ve already read!) Being able to search for authors and titles on Amazon.com means I can also order some of the books that I haven’t had any luck finding in my local bookstores over the years.

Here’s an abridged version of Gary’s list of “Inspirational and Educational Reading” which should be of interest to RPG and Sci-Fi / Fantasy fans alike!

Anderson, Poul

Bellairs, John

Brackett, Leigh

Burroughs, Edgar Rice

Carter, Lin

de Camp, L. Sprague

de Camp & Pratt

Derleth, August

Dunsany, Lord

Farmer, P. J.

Fox, Gardner

Howard, R. E.

Lanier, Sterling

Leiber, Fritz

Lovecraft, H. P.

A. Merritt

Moorcock, Michael

Pratt, Fletcher

Tolkein, J. R. R.

Vance, Jack

Zelazny, Roger

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6 Comments »

Justin said:

My favourite Poul Anderson was the Broken Sword. Fritz Leiber was an amazing writer – I still re-read his books. Nice site!

# 7 January 2009 at 9:27 am

Stuart (author) said:

Thanks Justin!

Anderson and Leiber are high on the list of authors I want to read. I really enjoy Lovecraft’s work and of course Tolkien.

# 7 January 2009 at 12:06 pm

Justin said:

Also IF you can get hold of “The Eyes of the Overworld” by Jack Vance, its a classic! I played D&D when I was at school in the late 1970s. Lovecraft and Tolkein were two of my literary idols, plus Robert Howard – I still read them now

# 9 January 2009 at 1:43 pm

Stuart Robertson (author) said:

I didn’t start playing D&D until the early 80s, and I was a bit younger (9 years old) so I didn’t have a background in any of these authors — except for Tolkien.

It was actually Choose Your Own Adventures that had the biggest influence on how I approached RPGs, and D&D specifically.

# 9 January 2009 at 10:53 pm

Justin said:

Ah you have the pleasure of reading them all now then!

# 10 January 2009 at 9:05 am

That’s how we roll, indeed! « Swords & Dorkery said:

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