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

[@HorrorBabble]

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)

[@OskinsBob]

1 OF THE FINEST 💎 🎯✨️

[@EricDaMAJ]

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]

Howard traveled a lot as I understand

[@EricDaMAJ]

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

[@thetwitchywitchy]

@@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]

​@@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.

[@handlessuck777]

​@@EricDaMAJHe traveled a lot *locally.

[@Doperwtje81]

Indiana Jones meets Cthulhu. This is a wonderful story.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

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]

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

[@donaldmccleary9015]

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

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

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

[@eliezercohengoldberg1381]

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]

@@eliezercohengoldberg1381 So Howard recognized objective facts?

[@tomcurran1538]

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]

Right?! So refreshing

[@danielrowan4716]

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.

[@robertdeal410]

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]

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......

[@howardhavardramberg333]

Agreed

[@gerry5134]

Me too ! 👍👍

[@tiffanyclark-grove1989]

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

[@tiffanyclark-grove1989]

James Smith why would KZbin demonetize stories?!

[@azimovist]

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.

[@thatboy353]

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

[@mikev7357]

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

[@czcrossman]

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 😁

[@illmade2]

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

[@MrZooBreak]

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

[@j03y121]

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]

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]

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

[@tomcurran1538]

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!

[@oedipusrex6362]

​@@j03y121they were conquered many times from Alexander the great to nadir afshar, regaining the Persian throne and subjugating both the abdali and the ghilzai

[@higherground711]

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

[@tonicastel2390]

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

[@gamingchinchilla7323]

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]

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...

[@johanlindwall7295]

Fascinating story and what a great narration!

[@TheFaulkned]

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

[@TheFaulkned]

And a great reading as always.

[@Eidridin]

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]

BLACK CANAAN

[@MrsCaranAmy]

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

[@anonymousbosch9265]

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]

Do you hear anyone singing in the line?

[@anonymousbosch9265]

Dangerworm Basemouse who’s this?

[@dangerworm]

Florida man

[@skeptico7164]

Bravo! What a wicked tale

[@geoffreyraleigh1674]

My new favorite! Thank you for a great morning.

[@johnoliva5153]

Excellent,just excellent.

[@austencobine864]

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

[@thefallencrow0722]

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.

[@MsMtheory]

That was absolutely fantastic 👏 👌 😀

[@12201185234]

Great story. I can't get enough Howard.

[@BigBennKlingon]

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]

Very The Mummy/ Cthulu-- and I agree!

[@johnjones2nd667]

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

[@robbabcock_]

What a terrific story!

[@3264-m3b]

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

[@highgoat6474]

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

[@ssshhhjjj192]

This was badass! Badass I say kind sir!

[@jamiecameron7615]

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

[@mattp9019]

This one might be my favorite, 13/10

[@0therun1t21]

Excellent reading! No, excellent acting!

[@nikolaihanuschak191]

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]

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

[@OCCULTPREPPER78]

I just found this true gem of a reading of an amazing story. Wonderful work my friend

[@paulcateiii]

been looking forward to this story - thanks Ian

[@Soulstrung87]

Absolutely fantastic. Great work, Ian!

[@feralbluee]

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 :) 🌷🌼🥂

[@nannybibb-fee8232]

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

[@causticmedia3621]

Wow! What an adventure. I really enjoyed it.

[@TheHappyhorus]

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

[@billsummy2412]

AWESOME ! Love these stories :-)

[@specialservicesequipment393]

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.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

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]

It really is a superb story.

[@czcrossman]

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

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@dewayneweaver2744]

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.😊

[@owensthilaire8189]

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.

[@nelsonsaunders7403]

HorrorBabble is literally the cure to my insomnia. That piano is now synonymous with dream laden sleep.

[@plendooerick]

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

[@banterj]

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

[@dexterisabo3137]

Awesome story

[@danieldavis6288]

Yar Ali was badass

[@SwedetasticGames]

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.

[@badas45]

Your American accent is amazing

[@williamcarroll9380]

Wonderful told story

[@kenneth83DK]

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.

[@ericburris1239]

Awesome.

[@lacyhart2043]

Very good story loved it wish there was more

[@gerry5134]

A ripping yarn well told 👍👍

[@tomcurran1538]

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

[@wanderingpoet9999]

An excellent story

[@riassslave558]

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

[@Loschh]

Whoa. What an amazing story!

[@markrpatterson9717]

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

[@jeffwarren6906]

" And until next time " Epic telling of a Tale Sis !!

[@mattkemerait]

Excellent voice work as always 👍 10/10

[@olalustig5397]

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

[@stevepalpatine2828]

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...

[@thetwitchywitchy]

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.

[@cindysettles3743]

Robert E Howard rules!

[@alswann2702]

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

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

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

[@charlesReed239]

Great reading, keep it up.

[@lynnbell6353]

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!!!

[@geargrinder7714]

This would make an excellent movie

[@frankmcgovern5445]

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]

Frank McGovern yo Frank lol

[@frankmcgovern5445]

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

[@tiffanyclark-grove1989]

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]

@@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]

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.

[@frugducked420]

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

[@adamfox1669]

Thanks!!

[@Olddog-Wiserdog]

That was a good one. Thanks again!!!

[@feralbluee]

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 🌷🌱🌼

[@JungleLeeLewis]

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

[@OskinsBob]

THANK YOU IAN ...💎 1 OF THE FINEST......🎯

[@vonotto44]

Very good 👍

[@pbr-streetgang]

Thanks much for the vid sir.👍🏼👍🏼

[@lacyhart2043]

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

[@HACUNA89]

Does remind anyone else of The Mummy with Brendan Frasier?

[@eugeniorobinson4556]

Ian, ❤️ your work🕷

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks Eugenio! Ian

[@cavemancaveman5190]

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

[@raylauderback5126]

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]

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

[@InterstellarAlliance11-11]

Great stories and entertaining ❤😂

[@tobypack6328]

Robert Bloch was a Cthulhu Mythos author as well 🤓

[@samizdatbroadcasts7654]

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.

[@rasalghoul8888]

Looks like I'll be sleeping well this morning.

[@octagonseventynine1253]

I once got the fire of asshurt after Taco Bell

[@willmundy1944]

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

[@ssshhhjjj192]

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

[@rickshawjones8591]

Is this the city from the nameless City? When they mention that someone had gone their last century and ended up fleeing screaming I thought that might be a nod to that story.

[@machine3589]

I doubt it, this one was a city built by men and the Nameless City certainly wasn't.

[@rickshawjones8591]

@@machine3589 good point. I will have to listen to it again. I didn't catch it was built by men

[@Aelfwine78]

I have a different version of the story in "Tales of the Lovecraft Mythos" where it turns out that a snake kills the Sheikh and Steve took the gem. Does anyone know which version is the original?

[@tonyjonesbassoonwhippet2271]

Cheers