Adventure, July 1952 – review

Review of one of the last issues of Adventure, this issue was quite undistinguished and I just happened to pick it because it was at the top of the pile. Ratings for each story at the end on a 5 point scale.

Adventure – July, 1952

Cover by Monroe Eisenberg, the cover has nothing to do with any story inside as far as I can make out.



Illustration for Soul of the Legion by George C. Appell

Soul of the Legion · George C. Appell · ss 3/5

The harshness of life in the French Foreign Legion is what stands out here. The story is one of revenge, the revenge of a NCO against an ineffective and brutal officer who had caused the death of the NCO’s girlfriend. This is set against the backdrop of a retreat by the Legion troops, while being continuously harried by their Bedouin attackers.



Illustration for Ambush by Charles Blakeman (pseudonym of George C. Appell)

Ambush · Charles Blakeman · ss 3/5

A portrait of an officer hated by his men for his cowardice, who knows this and is crumbling under it and the guilt he feels for having needlessly sent his stepson out to die. He goes out to redeem himself in the army’s eyes without having to confront the enemy, while having given the appearance of following orders. Another story by George C. Appell in the same issue, and on very similar themes as the first, the characterization is excellent but the ending feels unsatisfactory and contrived.



Illustration for Sunshiner by Arthur C. Carhart and C. C. Staples

Sunshiner · A. H. Carhart & C. C. Staples · ss Adventure Apr 1939 2/5

Reprints are usually a sign of financial trouble in a magazine; when the reprint is as undistinguished as this one, one has to believe the editor was desperate.

A south seas story. Two white men join forces unwillingly to regain a box of pearls worth a fortune. One is a sunshiner, a white man gone native, and another who despises him and has a girl waiting in the States. Will the brotherhood of white men prevail against the lure of the islands?



Illustration for Seeker of the Deep by R.W. Daly

Seeker of the Deep · R. W. Daly · ss 3/5

A southern rebel navy captain has to take command of a Yankee whaler at this stage in his career, but he doesn’t look forward to it. That is, until the moment when a Russian threatens the American ship, and it’s all hands on deck. R.W. Daly wrote excellent sea stories.



Illustration for The Death Hunter by Steve Frazee

The Death Hunter · Steve Frazee · ss 3/5

Two hunters and a guide are out in the Northern forests. One of the hunters is after big game, but the other one is after him to avenge the killing of his army buddy.

The Higher Challenge · C. Wiles Hallock · pm



Illustration for Soosoo the Slayer by H. S. M. Kemp

Soosoo the Slayer · H. S. M. Kemp · ss 2/5

A story of a hard man and a strong willed dog, set in the Far North during the days of the fur trade. The author, HSM Kemp, was a fur trader himself. His autobiography, Northern Trader, is in print and available from Amazon.



Illustration for Live Steel by T. C. McClary

Live Steel · T. C. McClary · ss 2/5

High steel workers build bridges, and the men are as tough as the steel. The high handed son of the owner tries to muscle his way into the respect of the workers, but ends up showing a yellow streak when at the top.

Paris Without Springs! · Walt Woestman · ar

A fact article about the 1908 New York to Paris race, which was the basis for the movie The Great Race.

Ask Adventure · Anon. · qa
The Camp-Fire · [The Readers] · lc

Letters from long time readers with suggestions for improving the magazine. The editor at the time, Ejler Jakobsson had asked readers their opinion earlier. It wasn’t going to help though, the magazine had only 4 more issues to go before its run as a pulp magazine ended.

Lost Trails · [The Readers] · lc