The Book of Bronze

A preface from the metallurgist,

If you are the sort of person who ignores the useless author preface portion of a book and plunges right into the story, then don’t let me stop you.  This part is usually self-serving twaddle anyway.  I mean, I’m calling myself ‘the metallurgist’, so that doesn’t bode well for the next few paragraphs.  Does it?

‘Doc Savage’ was created and written by at least 8 people (but mostly Lester Dent) under the pseudonym “Kenneth Robeson”.  The contributors were tireless visionaries, etc. etc. etc.  But here’s the thing.  They perfected a way to crank out a prodigious amount of material when writing what would become the Doc Savage series.  Seriously, they created a formula which allowed a person to knock out a nicely sized book, over and over again, in time for monthly publication.  Impressive.

Impressive, but not perfect.  You see, a person could write a complete and interesting story, but that shouldn’t imply that the story was written exceptionally well.  Doc Savage stories aren’t, in my opinion and the opinion of anyone else who reads above a third grade level, flawlessly written.  Reading them is a comical grind.  They have a weird sort of charm, and unique voice but it’s still a voice that often makes you wince in embarrassment as you turn the page. 

So while making the effort to format the manly Savage for ebook readers, I’m investing the time to burnish that paragon of masculinity.   Hence: Burnished Bronze : Doc Savage – The Man Of Bronze.  Same to you.  Remember what I said earlier about ‘twaddle’.  I warned you.

Before I forget, I’m leaving the action alone.  It’s all here, jammed on each page.  I’m also not touching the, frankly, anglocentric casual racism and general misogyny.  I want to clean up the grammar, not police Doc’s words.  If something in this book offends you, I suggest you take it up directly with Kenneth Robeson himself.

Since you’ve made it this far, there’s nothing left to do than unleash the story at you.  Prepare to grow hair on your chest and walk a little taller, a little prouder, a little more American – knowing that Doc Savage is continuing his tireless life’s work of seeking adventure, helping those who need it and punishing those who deserve it.

Francis Sandow

California 06/17