"The Fire of Asshurbanipal" by Robert E. Howard / A Cthulhu Mythos Story

Рет қаралды 83,359

Күн бұрын

"The Fire of Asshurbanipal" is a Cthulhu Mythos short story by American author, Robert E. Howard, first published in the December 1936 edition of Weird Tales Magazine. In a lost city in the deserts of the Middle East, two unlikely adventurers hunt for a rare gem.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:49 - The Fire of Asshurbanipal
56:17 - Further Listening
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Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble
Music and production by Ian Gordon & Jennifer Gill
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Пікірлер: 199

@HorrorBabble 2 жыл бұрын

How about some Lovecraftian artifacts? shop.vermilion.cc/collections/cthulhu?ref=HorrorBabble Pocket Watches, Playing Cards, Enamel Pins ... even an Umbrella! (The link above is an affiliate link)

@Doperwtje81 3 жыл бұрын

Indiana Jones meets Cthulhu. This is a wonderful story.

@donaldmccleary9015 7 ай бұрын

Agree! That is one of the reasons that makes this story great! I always thought there was a very close similarity to the main character and Indiana Jones. I always thought it would be cool if George Lucas based Indiana Jones on him.

@TestUser-cf4wj 15 күн бұрын

@@donaldmccleary9015Lucas is known to have plagiarized much of what eventually became Star Wars. Indiana Jones was Spielberg, BTW.

@donaldmccleary9015 15 күн бұрын

@TestUser-cf4wj Lucas created the series, and Spielberg directed the first four movies.

@Duchess_Van_Hoof 3 жыл бұрын

A lovecraftian story with an afghan protagonist who isn't a charicature nor immensely evil. Neither were the bedouins. It is remarkably different.

@eliezercohengoldberg1381 3 жыл бұрын

Robert E Howard was racist in the way that he thought races on average had different behaviors and physical and mental abilities but he didn’t hate any race.

@stevepalpatine2828 3 жыл бұрын

@@eliezercohengoldberg1381 So Howard recognized objective facts?

@tomcurran1538 2 жыл бұрын

My dad was in the US Army Air Force in WW2 in North Africa. He met with Bedouins. I was always intrigued by these cultures.

@geoff7936 2 жыл бұрын

Right?! So refreshing

@danielrowan4716 2 жыл бұрын

Yar Ali is an interesting and engaging side character. Although there is some racist treatment of the character, unlike most writers of the time he is not portrayed as some weak-willed, superstitious aboriginal, rather he is an equal and partner to the main character. I love this story and rank it as one of the best non-Lovecraft cosmic horror shorts.

@EricDaMAJ 2 жыл бұрын

I, who have been to Afghanistan and visited ruined cities in eastern Turkey, marvel at Howard’s descriptions. I doubt he ever left Texas but damn but he captured Afghans and ancient eastern ruins so well.

@sarge4455 29 күн бұрын

Howard traveled a lot as I understand

@EricDaMAJ 29 күн бұрын

@@sarge4455 I don't think that's true - but I hope I'm wrong and very wrong.

@thetwitchywitchy 26 күн бұрын

@@EricDaMAJI think you’re correct, I searched for quite a while for evidence he had visited or explored anywhere besides Texas and there is none (at least none I could find personally, I could have missed things of course). He collaborated with other authors who travelled to Europe, but I couldn’t find any evidence personally of him actually traveling the world

@TestUser-cf4wj 15 күн бұрын

@@thetwitchywitchyHoward was famously homebound. He lived with and cared for his invalid mother. He never married, never fathered children, traveled little and never visited distant Asia. He was, however, a voracious reader, as many homebound men of an intellectual bent are and no doubt visited many far away places through the magic of the written word. Still, no place found in any travelogue or reported on by travelers of the real world ever traversed lands so fantastic and filled with wonders as those that existed in the imagination of Robert E. Howard.

@thatboy353 4 жыл бұрын

My boy Yar Ali doesn't give a ****! He is a straight up gangster.

@azimovist 4 жыл бұрын

I love it when you do Howard! I know that you secretly covet a Conan yarn deep in your smoldering mind. My vote would be Red Nails or The People Of The Black Circle. Very few audiobook readers have pulled off the Cimmerian. You'd kill it.

@j03y121 4 жыл бұрын

This is a fun story for me. I have seen the temple of Baal and the ruins of Nineveh on my deployment to Iraq. The middle East holds a strange place in my heart. Having visited Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan I have been bewitched by the culture and art. But those feelings are punctuated with memories of combat. It's a special place, an old place. I hope much of it can be preserved despite the endless conflicts of the region.

@j03y121 4 жыл бұрын

Artistic liberty aside, I've never seen braver, more dedicated warriors than the Afghans. They've never been conquered. The Mongols, British Empire, Russians, and now my American compatriots have all been turned back or fought to a standstill.

@josephperkins4080 3 жыл бұрын

@@j03y121 🤦🤦the American's actually beat them then pres 44 who was a weakling gave the taliban the chance to resurge

@tomcurran1538 2 жыл бұрын

My dad was in North Africa in the US Army Air Force in WW2. Lots of great stories. He met with Bedouins...after a nice visit...his friend took their photo against the advice of my dad and they barely got out of there being chased by the Bedouin wielding a spear on his camel. The jeep had a governor on it, so they were barely faster than the camel!

@robertdeal410 4 жыл бұрын

The 60ish minute readings are perfect to fall asleep to. I vote for more because I've almost been through all your readings.

@JamesSmith-wb4jz 4 жыл бұрын

I think the problem is twofold in regards to long stories.... 《》《》《》《》《》《》《》 1st Is donnations are needed Since youtube demonitized the channel.. ------------------------------------------------ 2nd is finding royalty free stories of length... Most longer booklets no matter the age are purchased by book publishers.. ------------------------------------------------ Extra money from donnations would allow his lady & himself to purchase rights to read more long fiction stories......

@howardhavardramberg7160 4 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@gerry5134 4 жыл бұрын

Me too ! 👍👍

@tiffanyclark-grove1989 4 жыл бұрын

For a minute I thought you said, “I’ve almost SLEPT through all your readings .” LOL

@tiffanyclark-grove1989 4 жыл бұрын

James Smith why would KZfaq demonetize stories?!

@mikev7357 Жыл бұрын

My 3rd or 4th time listening to this story. What an absolute masterpiece. Thank you for this Horrorbabble!

@czcrossman 5 ай бұрын

Me too! I have come back to this one every few months since I first heard it, seriously such an entertaining story and obviously performed MASTERFULLY by my man Ian 😁

@tonicastel2390 4 жыл бұрын

I’m detecting a definite influence upon Indiana Jones, particularly the dead Nazi scene in the first movie. Great story & narration. Thank you!

@gamingchinchilla7323 3 жыл бұрын

I was just thinking, Lovecraftian lore would had been perfect for an Indiana Jones movie I'd say it was a missed opportunity for the Crystal Skulls movie

@stevepalpatine2828 3 жыл бұрын

When the voice told the Bedouin to just tie them up I half expected Belloch from Raiders of the Lost Ark to step out of the shadows and steal the gem while gloating...

@illmade2 4 жыл бұрын

Can never get enough Howard. Great reading....

@dewayneweaver2744 2 ай бұрын

Before the Internet, before 📺 Television, before 📻 radios, before paperback 📚 books, before even pulp magazines. The Cherokee invented the art of story telling, my father listened to stories that a neighbor lady told. Some lasted an hour some almost a week. This amazing woman kept many audio books in her head. Together Ian's narration and Robert E Howard 📝 writings is reproducing this ancient art.😊

@TheFaulkned 4 жыл бұрын

great Tale Ian. It's so rare these days to hear a good story where there Bad ass character isn't the Hero.

@TheFaulkned 4 жыл бұрын

And a great reading as always.

@MrZooBreak 9 ай бұрын

Absolutely GREAT!!! Great writing, great narration! Masterful! Ian, you have excelled all expectations once again! Horror made poetry! Thank you! Thank you!

@BigBennKlingon Жыл бұрын

A very Conan-esque tale. I wish there was more about these guys. I'd love to read about their other adventures that the story alludes to.

@MoonLitChild 11 ай бұрын

Very The Mummy/ Cthulu-- and I agree!

@Eidridin 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ian! Love the impersonations of each character with their unique cultural background. Can really feel Robert Howard's words come alive. I wish you would read the Conan series, but that's not particularly horror.

@alswann2702 2 жыл бұрын

BLACK CANAAN

@higherground711 4 жыл бұрын

Always great to hear another Cthulu Mythos story. 👍😀 Thanks Robert E. Howard and Ian and Horror Babble.

@ssshhhjjj192 2 жыл бұрын

This was badass! Badass I say kind sir!

@johanlindwall7295 3 жыл бұрын

Fascinating story and what a great narration!

@anonymousbosch9265 4 жыл бұрын

I cannot wait until you have your podcast up and running as I’m a utility company lineman and spend the majority of my day alone working.... out on the lines and always an listening to podcasts or audio books except when I’m actually talking to another person or doing math and my coworkers and I always trade podcast recommendations. Can’t wait to recommend this one

@arnantphongsatha7906 4 жыл бұрын

Do you hear anyone singing in the line?

@anonymousbosch9265 4 жыл бұрын

Dangerworm Basemouse who’s this?

@dangerworm 4 жыл бұрын

Florida man

@MrsCaranAmy 4 жыл бұрын

I love the adventurous style of this story. Also, you did a fine job with those different accents.

@johnoliva5153 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent,just excellent.

@robbabcock_ Жыл бұрын

What a terrific story!

@austencobine864 4 жыл бұрын

This is a great story by Robert E. Howard who was a great author of the Cthulhu Mythos. Great work though on this video!

@SwedetasticGames 4 жыл бұрын

So THIS is the story which World of Warcraft's city of Ahn'Qiraj is based upon. And the Guardian Demon, from the description, they pretty much copy-pasted to make the K'Thraxi and Faceless Ones.

@czcrossman 5 ай бұрын

One of my favorite non-Conan Robert E. Howard works! And of course Ian voices it perfectly! “Saheed!” 😊

@HorrorBabble 5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@markrpatterson9717 4 жыл бұрын

I'm considering legally changing my name to Dusty Chambers. 23:31

@geoffreyraleigh1674 2 жыл бұрын

My new favorite! Thank you for a great morning.

@user-ys7vg2xh2k 4 жыл бұрын

This was a pleasant surprise. I'm always trying to learn from other voice actors...your range is impressive, and the story wonderfully read.

@owensthilaire8189 Жыл бұрын

I am a great fan of Lovecraft but Howard is one of my all time favorite writers from my early teen years. Men of action and adventure. More like my father than Lovecraft's protagonists.

@danieldavis6288 4 жыл бұрын

Yar Ali was badass

@thefallencrow0722 4 жыл бұрын

A great story to listen to, as well as a very calming narrator’s voice that nicely complements the narrative of the story. As always a great story to listen to whilst curled up under a warm blanket. Keep up the great work and I can’t wait for the next story.

@highgoat6474 4 жыл бұрын

I waited all day for this and was not disappointed. Thank you!

@plendooerick 5 ай бұрын

It's amazin how a stereotypically "bad guy" is a figurehead here so we'll done. Amazing writing and not to mention narration. At times when I read mystical tales in my head it sounds like Mr Ian Gordon

@12201185234 4 жыл бұрын

Great story. I can't get enough Howard.

@specialservicesequipment393 Жыл бұрын

The 1 and 2 hour readings are great, I drive home from work every 12 days, and this is wonderful to stream with the audio routed through the truck's sound system.

@mattp9019 4 жыл бұрын

This one might be my favorite, 13/10

@MsMtheory Жыл бұрын

That was absolutely fantastic 👏 👌 😀

@dexterisabo3137 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome story

@skeptico7164 Жыл бұрын

Bravo! What a wicked tale

@johnjones2nd667 4 жыл бұрын

Haha! You made my day! I love the cthulu mythos stories, thank you so much.

@thetwitchywitchy 26 күн бұрын

There’s something amazing about stories painting scenes of long dead men turned skeletons with some kind of sacred jewel in their grasp, treasure guarded from beyond the grave. To me, that’s such a cool adventure/action trope, I love it (think Indiana Jones and the Goonies) And having this story set in a city that is hidden by shifting sand dunes is freaking awesome!!! it’s like it smacks you in the face shouting “EARLY 1900s ADVENTURE STORY!” There’s just something really magical about the setting and story, I really enjoyed this one.

@paulcateiii 4 жыл бұрын

been looking forward to this story - thanks Ian

@feralbluee 3 жыл бұрын

why can i listen to this story over again (after a couple of months)? i don’t know. maybe because the “good guys” win ?! thanks, Ian. you are one of THE most important people who got me through this and you still are - all of you. Keep safe and have a good spring. Ta :) 🌷🌼🥂

@ericburris1239 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome.

@bfm1q2w 11 ай бұрын

Whoa. What an amazing story!

@nikolaihanuschak191 4 жыл бұрын

Great pick Ian, this is one of Howard's best stories I believe. And as always your narration was perfectly flawless. Thank you for the upload. 👍

@stathissdz2125 4 жыл бұрын

Can't imagine how long I've been waiting for this!

@donaldmccleary9015 7 ай бұрын

This is a wonderful story and is one of my favorites! I love everything about it, from the description of the ruins, characters, and plot. Howard was such a talented writer. People emerge from graduate school these days and cannot touch the likes of him in their writing. This is a true classic and gem! This will ALWAYS be on my top shelf of books! I always wonder if George Lucas based Indiana Jones off the main character because the similarities are there. Afyer some research I know he did not, but I still think it would be cool if he did! Any story with a Lee Enfield rifle is fine by me! .303 British! Fantastic recording, my friend! I love this story so much that I smiled the whole time!

@HorrorBabble 7 ай бұрын

It really is a superb story.

@banterj 3 ай бұрын

This was so much fun!!!…and I loved the accents !!!!

@Soulstrung87 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely fantastic. Great work, Ian!

@jamiecameron7615 4 жыл бұрын

Wow!! Absolutely awesome work!! Thank you very much!!!

@blowitoutyourcunt7675 4 жыл бұрын

I needed this! Thanks ever so much w your hard work! Cheers mate!

@nannybibb-fee8232 4 жыл бұрын

Mmmm..hmmm, I can't get enough Gordon ‼❗🐾🐈💚🌵💚

@JennyLane8666 Жыл бұрын

That was superb, Ian and Jen :) thank you both for your brilliant channel

@0therun1t21 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent reading! No, excellent acting!

@gerry5134 4 жыл бұрын

A ripping yarn well told 👍👍

@tomcurran1538 2 жыл бұрын

BTW, have you ever seen Michael Palin's "Ripping Yarns"?

@wanderingpoet9999 2 жыл бұрын

An excellent story

@stevepalpatine2828 3 жыл бұрын

When the voice told the Bedouin to just tie them up I half expected Belloch from Raiders of the Lost Ark to step out and steal the gem...

@williamcarroll9380 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful told story

@alswann2702 2 жыл бұрын

Two Gun Bob! Gotta make it to Cross Plains for Robert E Howard Days.

@adamfox1669 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!!

@cindysettles3743 2 жыл бұрын

Robert E Howard rules!

@feralbluee Жыл бұрын

i just realized what a great Arab accent you have. it sure made a difference in how one hears the story - so much more authentic and real. both, no all of you have a good one 🌷🌱🌼

@billsummy2412 4 жыл бұрын

AWESOME ! Love these stories :-)

@causticmedia3621 4 жыл бұрын

Wow! What an adventure. I really enjoyed it.

@HACUNA89 4 жыл бұрын

Does remind anyone else of The Mummy with Brendan Frasier?

@badas45 2 жыл бұрын

Your American accent is amazing

@geargrinder7714 3 жыл бұрын

This would make an excellent movie

@TheHappyhorus Жыл бұрын

I’ve come to enjoy these stories so much of an evening, thank you once again, wonderful job; I was teleported there from the start. Best wishes

@vonotto44 2 жыл бұрын

Very good 👍

@cavemancaveman5190 Ай бұрын

OMG The rabbit hole that opened up under this. Now I know where inspiration originates

@DANTHETUBEMAN 3 жыл бұрын

This has a lot of the descriptive writing I enjoy in Conan tales.

@riassslave558 4 жыл бұрын

thanx 4 this one!! very very much!!!

@perrycowdery 2 жыл бұрын

my dyslexia read: "The Fire of AssHurtByAGuy"

@olalustig5397 4 жыл бұрын

Great story,great reading, Thanks again Ian! Huge fan ❤️

@frankmcgovern5445 4 жыл бұрын

Gotta say, not that I judge or shame anybody's deal, but I'll never get people who use these stories to sleep. I'd have to stay awake to hear the end.

@tiffanyclark-grove1989 4 жыл бұрын

Frank McGovern yo Frank lol

@frankmcgovern5445 4 жыл бұрын

@@tiffanyclark-grove1989 Whoa! What are you doing here, Tiffany? Checking out some HorrorBabble? Love these stories. Definitely can't sleep to them.

@tiffanyclark-grove1989 4 жыл бұрын

Frank McGovern yep. I am a longtime subscriber. My two favorites are The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood and The Dunwich Horror by H.P. Lovecraft. I found this channel because I was trying to brush up on some H.P. Lovecraft. Yes, I don’t listen to stories when I go to sleep, I just turn on the “rain.” I have poor comprehension when I’m asleep😃 Ian Is a super great reader and I also like that he doesn’t use music behind his narration

@frankmcgovern5445 4 жыл бұрын

@@tiffanyclark-grove1989 Yep, for sure. Sometimes to set the mood, I'll turn on the rain WHILE I listen to his stories. Ian's great. I'm a Patreon... patron, I guess, for HorrorBabble. Those are both excellent ones.

@tiffanyclark-grove1989 4 жыл бұрын

Frank McGovern I haven’t quite progressed to Patreon. You have to use a PayPal right? So I signed up for a PayPal and then found out that only at one place in my town can I make the payments, and I have to download a code to my phone to do it? And of course that drugstore is basically one of the only places in town I never go. One day it’s going to happen though.

@Nofucksgiven22 Жыл бұрын

That was a good one. Thanks again!!!

@lacyhart2043 4 жыл бұрын

Very good story loved it wish there was more

@samizdatbroadcasts7654 3 жыл бұрын

Here we have possible evidence that the creator of the mighty Conan of Cimmeria may also have inspired the creation of our favorite archeologist of 1980s cinema, for this reminds me so much of Indiana Jones. The early 20th century weird tales authors, though now so dated in so many ways, never the less bequeathed us a great legacy. We owe them much, and their flaws are thus forgivable and can be seen as products of their time.

@pbr-streetgang 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks much for the vid sir.👍🏼👍🏼

@eugeniorobinson4556 4 жыл бұрын

Ian, ❤️ your work🕷

@HorrorBabble 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Eugenio! Ian

@mattkemerait 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent voice work as always 👍 10/10

@frugducked420 3 жыл бұрын

Ian, i doft my hat to you. bravo. you could read a menu at a restaurant and it would sound awesome.

@JungleLeeLewis 4 жыл бұрын

This is a More Modern Title, but "The Somnambulist" is a Great Semi-Quickie with Super Natural Sleuthing, Creatures Of Unknown origin. And a Period in time that many of your stories are either Written in OR are About. It's A Fun read, I think your Audience would appreciate it. It's AMAZING just HOW MUCH GRRMartin has Used from the Cthulhu Mythos/Dream Cycle stories in his Song of Ice and Fire! It seems like I'm Constantly picking up on Some Unheard before, Reference to a Black Oily stone. Even YAR ALI reminds me of how George writes about the Dothraki.. A Warrior Through and Through. He probably has a 4 foot braid...lol

@ssshhhjjj192 2 жыл бұрын

Did I mention that this is badass? Ba-dass nucka!

@kenneth83DK 4 жыл бұрын

Thx for another Cthulhu story, I really love them, and I know there's a lot of other great stuff out there you might want to run instead from time to time. Thx to you I actually got back into reading books again, you really do make a difference. I also very much enjoyed your "horror stories on the sea"series and I hope you'll catch some more good ocean worthy horror stories from the winds of the seven seas.

@raylauderback5126 2 жыл бұрын

Great presentation! Would it be possible to do "Names in the Black Book," also by Robert E. Howard? That story is truly one of my all time favorites!

@HorrorBabble 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Ray! Please send any suggestions via our website: www.horrorbabble.com Thank you!

@tooladdict85 6 ай бұрын

Hearing this, I envisioned the scene jewel to look like that in the Disney movie Aladdin, where Abu goes to grab the giant red gem.

@willmundy1944 2 жыл бұрын

Ian have you ever read any of the Solomon Kane stories? I believe “ wings in the night “ would be a big hit

@charlesReed239 4 жыл бұрын

Great reading, keep it up.

@tobypack6328 3 жыл бұрын

Robert Bloch was a Cthulhu Mythos author as well 🤓

@lacyhart2043 4 жыл бұрын

I like the story's with magic in them it's hard to get a good hero with magic.

@octagonseventynine1253 3 жыл бұрын

I once got the fire of asshurt after Taco Bell

@rasalghoul8888 4 жыл бұрын

Looks like I'll be sleeping well this morning.

@lynnbell6353 4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful reading! This horror adventure truly had me on the edge of my chair!! But can anyone shed some light on how much influence the works of Robert E. Howard might have had on the Indiana Jones films, particularly my all-time fave, “Raiders of the Lost Ark?” Thanks!!!