The War Hound and the World's Pain

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-30

The Devil is really pretty sneaky. That will be no shock to anyone. Von Bek is a mercenary, and a very dangerous man and a bit of a lost soul, both figuratively and literally.

The Devil has a deal for him. If he can find him the Holy Grail, he can have his soul back.

Excellent.......2004-04-27

Simply an excellent tale. This story has stayed with me over the years, and I fully expect to reread it once again the next time I lay my hands upon it.

I dont much care for Elric. So whether you like that or not, dont let that stop you in this case. I also disliked Gloriana and a couple of his other books. But this one here I would recommend to just about everyone.

Lucifer must be out of his mind!.......2003-10-31

The basic premise is that Lucifer is not an all-knowing, all-powerful arch fiend, but merely a frustrated, desperate exile. God exiled Lucifer to earth with no instructions and no further communication. In his own words, Lucifer tells how everything that he did since then was his own idea, done on his own initiative. First, he tried to prove that he could build a world that was greater than the Creator's (he reveals that most of the world's rulers and churchmen are really "his".) However, by the 17th century, Europe is clearly dieing in unending warfare and plague INSPITE of his efforts to make a better world. Lucifer admits that his efforts have been a colossal failure and that he has no idea why. Moreover, he just wants to reconcile with God and go back home to his old position in heaven.

In desperation Lucifer sends an agent to find the Holy Grail. Grasping at straws, he believes that the legendary Grail will grant immediate union with God, and as a result the Last Judgement and an end to the World's Pain. Unfortunately, the Devil has no pure knights to search for this Grail- the closest thing he can find is Capt. Ulrich Von Bek. Von Bek is far from innocent, since as a mercenary soldier he has wilfully commited murder, torture, rape, and robbery as "part of the soldier's craft." Von Bek does have a conscience, though- he just gambled that there was no God or Devil to answer to for his crimes.

Von Bek goes forth on this hopeless quest- quite convinced that Lucifer, and quite possibly God, are both out of their minds....

Thoroughly excellent..........2003-03-04

Certainly one of Mr. Moorcock's best, blending his mastery of sword-and-sorcery fantasy with some gripping philo-theological issues which are likely familiar to anyone who has grown up in the Western world with the remnants of Christianity all around. This book truly transcends Mr. Moorcock's regular oeuvres, and will continue to resound in the mind of anyone who has found themselves gripped in the loss of faith or religion but not yet lost hope for humanity.

The Thirty Years' War was one of the singular most horrifying experiences in Europe's history (up there with WWI and WWII) and is a fitting backdrop. I will echo one of my non-fantasy-reading friend's gripes and say that the title figure equits himself much better than the devious, semi-evil character that his author first makes him out to be, and I would add that some of the more fantastical vignettes are maybe underwritten, and thus the work could have benefited from greater length in parts.

I care not much for Moorcock's heroes other than the two most 'human' and fallible ones, the man from Melnibone and von Bek. Definitely a must read for anyone interested in the best ever from the fantasy-genre, and still, a good read for those not familiar with fantasy but experienced in the pain and suffering of the real world. If you're a Moorcock fan and haven't read this yet then there is no excuse, buy ...immediately. Can't find it here try half.com

Recommended to me by the inimitable OS2 Boone during our time on the USS Chancellorsville in Japan, I didn't find it til much later but am very glad he told me about it. Certainly in my list of top ten books ever, alongside works that are much longer and traditionally thought to have much greater significance.....

Very Respectfully,

Pär L., USN

Lucifer must be out of his mind...........2002-04-27

As much as I enjoyed the subsequent two novels of the Von Bek trilogy (_City in the Autumn Stars_ and The Dream Thief's Daughter_) this first volume is still my favorite. It could easily have stood on it's own as a classic.

The basic premise is that Lucifer is not an all-knowing, all-powerful arch fiend, but merely a frustrated, desperate exile. God exiled Lucifer to earth with no instructions and no further communication. In his own words, Lucifer tells how everything that he did since then was his own idea, done on his own initiative. First, he tried to prove that he could build a world that was greater than the Creator's (he reveals that most of the world's rulers and churchmen are really "his".) However, by the 17th century, Europe is clearly dieing in unending warfare and plague INSPITE of his efforts to make a better world. Lucifer admits that his efforts have been a colossal failure and that he has no idea why. Moreover, he just wants to reconcile with God and go back home to his old position in heaven.

In desperation Lucifer sends an agent to find the Holy Grail. Grasping at straws, he believes that the legendary Grail will grant immediate union with God, and as a result the Last Judgement and an end to the World's Pain. Unfortunately, the Devil has no pure knights to search for this Grail- the closest thing he can find is Capt. Ulrich Von Bek. Von Bek is far from innocent, since as a mercenary soldier he has wilfully commited murder, torture, rape, and robbery as "part of the soldier's craft." Von Bek does have a conscience, though- he just gambled that there was no God or Devil to answer to for his crimes.

Von Bek goes forth on this hopeless quest- quite convinced that Lucifer, and quite possibly God, are both out of their minds....

The Hound of Conscience: A History of the No-Conscription Fellowship, 1914-1919

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The Hound of Conscience: A History of the No-Conscription Fellowship, 1914-1919
Thomas C. Kennedy
Manufacturer: University of Arkansas Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Intelligence & Espionage | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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Lucifer must be out of his mind!
Moorcock's Best

The War Hound and the World's Pain
Michael Moorcock
Manufacturer: Timescape Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0671437089

Customer Reviews:

Lucifer must be out of his mind!.......2003-10-31

Von Bek goes forth on this hopeless quest- quite convinced that Lucifer, and quite possibly God, are both out of their minds....

Moorcock's Best.......2000-09-25

This book, along with Gloriana, is Moorcock's best work. Very different plot from his typical Elric, Corum, etc. Set during one of the interminable wars in the middle of the last millenium, the tale revolves around a German officer on an unusual quest. Very interesting take on the role of Lucifer in our world.

Book Description

College boy Godai, perpetually on the edge of financial and scholastic ruin, gets shanghaied into becoming a temporary daddy to the children of a stripper. Meanwhile, his motley crew of neighbors in Maison Ikkoku continue meddling in his affairs.

Customer Reviews:

Poor Godai vs Rich Mitaka.......2001-11-22

Mitaka's uncle continues his plot to get Shun to marry Asuna Kujo, but Mitaka doesn't want to go through with it. He and Kyoko's mother arranges a meeting with his parents and her husband to talk over their future "marriage: Of course when Kyoko arrives she has no idea what to be expecting. She thought she was going to her father's birthday party, and was very confused when Mitaka showed up to pick her up. Why she really didn't know that it was not her father's birthday is beyond me. Godai runs after her with a baby that he was tricked into taing care of. It goes on and on read the book to find out what happens.

Great Maison Ikkoku!.......2001-02-21

THis volume of Maison Ikkoku is very very good. As we all know Godai is in love with his Apartment Manager, Kyoko Otanashi, except he's got people to deal with. There's Shun Mitaka, the Tennis Coach with the glinting teeth, with feelings for Kyoko, and the other tenants of Maison Ikkoku- Mrs. Ichinose (short loud, round, and a big gossip) Mr Yotsuya (demented pervert... probably watches Hentai...) and Akemi (Girl who doesn't dress decent). All these people dwindle with the budding love of Kyoko and Godai. So in this volume, Shun deals with his arranged marriage but can't quite stop it... yet. Godai, being the kind person we all love, takes care of 2 very cute kids while their mama is off chasing after someone, Shun tries to embrace Kyoko's heart, Godai get's ready for his teacher's licsense, and Shun and Asuna get very "close" Of course more happens but I won't spoil it for you.

Godia is a complete dope.......2000-01-07

Rumiko has a unique way of making charcters have lives that just get more complicated everyday. If it is not one thing it is another. The story captured me from the minute I started to read it. Godia tries his hardest to be determined to pass a test. Life and everyone at Ikkoku are determined to get in his way. The coach has to face his fears of dogs in order to tell Asuna to take a hike. This entire series is a must for those interested in a wacky love comedy. The graphic novel after this one called Game Set Match is also a great one. Godia moves out for a while, the coach gets married, Kyoko gets jealous(what else is new), Kozue comes along and we see what happens when Kyoko quits as a manager.I can't wait until the next volume where this story comes to an end.(sigh)

Maison Ikkou is Rumiko's greatest.......1999-09-24

In this manga of the series, it is evident how Godai is getting more assertive of himself. It's great to watch him 'grow up' in a sense. This series is great, especially for college students, for it envelops how many of us might feel at one time or another. This manga leaves you wanting for more at the end...I can't wait for the next one!

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The hounds of war unleashed
Violetta Thurstan
Manufacturer: United Writers Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0901976431

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The Liberty Hound
Joseph Currey
Manufacturer: Writers Club Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0595007090

Book Description

The irrepressible Sammy Bench joined the Navy during World War II and never before or after has there been such a sailor. Part con man, part savior, we follow his antics, trials and tribulations through boot camp and into a Ships Company assignment. These were the men who fought their libidos and fears; sailors who “comforted” war widows and romanced the young ladies who creamed to do their part for the war effort.

We meet Sammy’s buddies Billy and Bernie and his girlfriend Sarah, and what a profound effect each one’s life has, as a result of Sammy. They struggle together to try to make sense through the later years of WWII before the Bomb ended it all. The novel grabs a hold and won’t let go from page one. This book could only be written by one who was there, Seaman Joseph Currey, Liberty Hound.

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Sea-hounds
Lewis Ransome Freeman
Manufacturer: Dodd, Mead & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B000859C38

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Son Of The Hounds
Robert Sutherland
Manufacturer: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1550419064

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Super Reader

A good place to start reading Moorcock

Moorcock continues to amaze

A very different Moorcock

The War Hound and the World's Pain, book 1 of this omnibus.

Von Bek - omnibus of The War Hound and the World's Pain, The City in the Autumn Stars, The Dragon in the Sword and The Pleasure Garden of Felipe Sagittarius (Tale of the Eternal Champion, Volume 2)
Michael Moorcock
Manufacturer: White Wolf Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

The Eternal Champion (Paperback)

Hawkmoon (Eternal Champion Series, Vol. 3)

A Nomad of the Time Streams: A Scientific Romance (Eternal Champion (Paperback))

Elric: Song of the Black Sword (Eternal Champion Series, Vol. 5)

Corum: The Coming Of Chaos (Eternal Champion Series, Vol. 7)

ASIN: 1565041771

Book Description

The first three novels,The Warhound and the World's Pain, The City in the Autumn Stars and The Pleasure Garden of Felipe Sagittarius, of Michael Moorcock's classic fantasy sequence.

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-30

From Millenium, it is also subtitled The Tale of the Eternal Champion 1.

It contains The Warhound and the World's Pain, The City in the Autumn Stars and the Pleasure Gardens of Felipe Sagittarius.

This omnibus collection contains two Von Bek novels and ends with a short story that features yet another of the Von Bek clan. This time it is Minos Von Bek, who is a metatemporal investigator in Europe.

He comes across Adolf Hitler, and ends up supplying Eva Braun with some useful toys

A good place to start reading Moorcock.......2003-11-27

Though this is the second volume of the series, the stories are probably stronger, so if you haven't read Moorcock it is a good place to start. For some mysterious reason (see his multiverse.org website) Mr Moorcock has seen fit to withdraw all his fantasy novels but the new Elric stories from circulation and these are no longer published, so I'd advise you to pick up copies while you can. Hinted is the chance of them becoming available again as single volumes sometime in the future. Meanwhile there is the Elric movie to look forward to (see universal website).
The War Hound and the World's Pain is the first Von Bek story in the book and describes a war-weary veteran of the Hundred Years War who loses his soul to the devil and is offered it back if he can help reconcile Satan and God. This has become a fairly common theme in modern fantasy, but was startling and new when it first appeared and still retains its freshness.
The City in the Autumn Stars is about another member of the Von Bek family, this time a cynic, rogue and soldier of fortune, who escapes the horrors of the French Revolution and comes to the city of Mirenburg where he falls in with another rogue, the charming balloonist St Odhran. Together they concoct a scam, which goes wrong when their balloon actually takes them to another Mirenburg, the City in the Autumn Stars, where a variety of mystical and alchemical action takes place. The ending's a little weak (apparently Moorcock reduced this book from a much longer original narrative) but the atmosphere of the city and the strangeness of the characters dominates. A very fine tale.
The Dragon in the Sword is more like a conventional fantasy adventure in which Moorcock's eternal champion is thrown into a world of warring factions and intelligent bears.
Anyone who finds these books a little like Philip Pullman would be right. They were written years before Pullman but most of the ideas in His Dark Materials can be found here, including, of course, characters who travel between different planes of existence.
The Pleasure Garden of Felipe Sagittarius is a great short story which exemplifies another strand of Moorcock's extraordinary multiverse and ties in with his 'metatemporal detective' stories such as the one recently published in McSweeney's (The Case of the Nazi Canary). In this a Von Bek who is a detective investigates the murder of Bismarck and is helped by police chief, one Adolf Hitler. Some of Moorcock's most fun stories are in this kind of setting, including his Nomad of the Time Streams stories, which are a later volume in this same series.
All in all tremendous value for money and highly recommended.

Moorcock continues to amaze.......2001-06-30

The three full-length novels contained within this volume are each so different, one from the other, that the reader cannot help but be amazed that the same author wrote all three!

In "The Warhound and the World's Pain," Moorcock's usual themes of "chaos" vs. "law" are put in more the familiar terms (at least for us earthlings) of the Devil vs. God. Like his more popular Elric character, Moorcock has his "hero" Ulrich von Bek allied with chaos--the devil. The reader is treated to watching a master of fantasy play with common themes (the hero descends into Hell, and comes out with a quest that he must fulfill in order to save all humanity) that he rearranges in order to ask some penetrating questions about the nature of God, the Devil, faith, and religion in our lives.

The second novel, "The City in the Autumn Stars," is written in a completely different style from the first. Set in Germany (mostly) in the late 1700's, the book makes many references to actual historical happenings, in particular the French and American revolutions and the Industrial Revolution. The motivating factors behind these and other events are examined in extensive dialogs between characters as well as through internal monologues of the protagonist, Manfred von Bek. Someone a little better versed in English literature than I am could place the exact style Moorcock takes up with this novel, but it reminds me of Jules Verne. The chapter headings are long ("Chapter Sixteen: In which house rules are broken. An infestation and a visitation. Vermin destroyed. The Red O'Dowd's fish. Some useful attributes of a magic sword.") And the author manages quite capably to maintain this tone throughout the entire novel. Until the end, that is, when the multiverses start to conjoin, devil worshippers take center stage, and the feeling that one is reading a conventional historical novel rapidly disappears. The ending was not quite satisfactory, but nevertheless a tour de force by Moorcock.

The third novel, "The Dragon in the Sword," is one of my favorites, and I have reviewed it separately on the Amazon site.

The volume is capped off with a very short story, "The Pleasure Garden of Felipe Saggitarius." Although the main character is nominally a von Bek, and Hitler the Holy Grail, and some other toss-away references to familiar Moorcock characters are mentioned, there is no clear reason why this story was ever written, or indeed, why it was included in this volume.

A very different Moorcock.......1999-10-24

If you only know (as most people do) Michael Moorcock through his Elric series, this will be quite a different take on the Eternal Champion. gone are the massive oddities of most of his volumes, gone are the gods and slimey monsters on every page. Instead this is as close as Moorcock comes to writing Historical fiction, which he does to mixed effect. It is not until the third section that we find Moorcock consciously tying the series into his Eternal Champion run.

Moorcock is a passable, but far from stellar, writer. His Elric series has some intriguing ideas, but he wastes a lot of space on pointless battles. This book has fewer battles, but still you feel as if there is a lot of empty space to it. While it is definitely a cut above most fantasy, it is far from Tolkein, Kay, LeGuin or any of the other talents of the genre. Hidden within this volume are many fascinating nuggets, but it still feels like a roleplaying game written down with a bit of filler.

The War Hound and the World's Pain, book 1 of this omnibus........1999-06-05

I would rank War Hound and the World's Pain among Moorcock's top 5 (along with The Quest for Tanelorn, Stormbringer, The King of Swords, etc.).

The book was, alone, worth the price of the omnibus.

The atmosphere of the book, though, shows it's authorship in the 60's, and it's style of writing is also of that era. And while this is not in any way bad to me, I have run into a few who dislike all non-modern styles. For me, this was good, because it evoked feelings of my first reads of Elric and Corum, taking me back to faraway days.

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The War Hound and the World's Pain

Manufacturer: Timescape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000BO3EHG

Book Description

Drawing from the imaginative quotes President Bush has uttered over the years, the George W. Bush Coloring Book illustrates Bush's very own words in the form of a coloring book. Illustrator Karen Ocker lends her visually distinct style to on-the-record quotes such as It's amazing I won. I was running against peace, prosperity and incumbency.

Customer Reviews:

NOT for Republicans.......2007-05-14

This is the funniest coloring book ever, and is surprisingly well constucted. It lampoons "The President of The United States." Sure, sure, king George rules us all, and some may argue that he has destroyed the office - but the point of this book is that it makes fun of what up until recently was commonly held as "the most powerful man in the world." This coloring book has all of the regular features and stylings of a children's coloring book, but it focuses on th brilliance of our (s)elected leader. It is sure to anger many conservatives as well as delight anyone on the "left" with a sense of humor. It works best if you actually USE it.

Even republicans laugh...........2006-07-19

As much as I hate to admit it, I married a woman who voted for George W. Though I found the book humorous, her side splitting laughter made the book that much more enjoyable (it does restore some faith in her judgement).

The Bushisms are classic (quite true to life) - though we hear them often on the news, and they do appear to be getting better, presented in this format intensifies is hilarious. Subtle artistry and innuendos hidden in the background of the cartoons adds to the impact.

Even my (rabid republican) in-laws picked it up from the coffee table and had a good chuckle. I love the art work and the captions are great. Anyone who enjoys political cartoons will enjoy this book. The children's coloring book approach provides makes a great format for the material.

A Coloring Book For Adults.......2006-06-06

This little book would make you laugh a lot more if it were not so sad but true. Illustrated by Karen A. Ocker with a densely written "historical" footnote by Joley Wood, THE GEORGE W. BUSH COLORING BOOK consists of 17 fine line drawings inspired by actual quotations made by Mr. Bush. The drawings are difficult to describe and must be seen to be appreciated fully. There is a sketch of Bush in a Yale cheerleading uniform, along with a report card where he received an "F" in geography to illustrate the quotation: "We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, and we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease." One other from the group: Bush is making a campaign speech in November, 2000 and opines that "They [Democrats] want the federal government controlling Social Security like it's some kind of federal program. . ."

Dates and sources for all the quotations are included in the back of the book; and Mr. Wood, in his footnote, reminds us of what some of us try to forget and others never believed: that Mr. Bush was not elected but appointed by the Supreme Court and that Katherine Harris and Jeb Bush, with the help of Database Technologies International, "wrongfully" purged over 90,000 voters from the Florida voter lists, primarily from Black counties. When this book was published in 2004, only 500 U. S. soldiers had been killed in Iraq, the Valerie Plame affair was still new, and Ken Lay was not a convicted felon. Mr. Wood obviously has his work cut out for him when he does a revision for a second printing.

Surely somebody gave this little grenade to Molly Ivins for a Christmas gift!

Just more childish bashing of Bush.......2006-02-14

I dislike when people talk trash about our President. Not many understand how much our President has to be knowledgble in, nor do they understand what he is knowledgeable in. He has a BA Degree in History and is the first President to hold an MBA(Masters in Business Administration). Phsycholgists believe his refusal to drink alcohol affects his public speaking abilities and the speed of his wit. Although he is weak in Public Speaking, his judgement is not impeded and our President makes very tough decisions which many are incapable of.
Not only this, but he is also a Christian who holds steadfast to Judeo(Jewish) and Christian Values. He may sound funny, but he is no dummy. This is a great book for those who are of childish minds

Please.......2005-06-17

I think this coloring book is a creative idea. In response to the person who said Bush is "sworn to uphold the Constitution."
Explain to me please, how he's done that so far? And to the other person who is so anti-Liberal. Why were you even looking at a coloring book like this? Just because you're a "Conservative" doesn't mean you are correct. That's just your own opinion. Let others have theirs. By the way, there are many middle of the road political voters that realize this president is a moron. Look at his grades if you don't believe it, and for pete's sake, listen to him talk... er, try to. Thanks.

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