The Story of King Arthur and His Knights

New York: New American Library (A Signet Classic, #CE2017, 1st thus/1st printing, April 1986). Mass market paperback, 394 pages. Lightly toned pages are clean and unmarked. Binding is square and tight. Written and illustrated by Howard Pyle.

ABOUT THE BOOK: In these wonderfully illustrated tales, renowned storyteller Howard Pyle carries us back to the enchanting world of King Arthur and his Round Table. The book chronicles the adventures of Arthur as he draws the sword Excalibur from the anvil, proving his right to the throne, and as he courts and wins the heart of Guinevere. Later he suffers the treachery of the wicked Morgana le Fay and witnesses the tragic fate of the Enchanter Merlin. In Pyle's classic retelling, the legends come alive in unsurpassed vividness. More powerful than any of Merlin's spells, THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS has enthralled and delighted generations of readers fascinated by chivalry, magic, and the unforgettable drama of medieval times.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Howard Pyle (1853 – 1911) was an American illustrator, painter, and author, primarily of books for young people. His 1883 classic publication The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print, and his other books frequently have medieval European settings, including a four-volume set on King Arthur. He is also well known for his illustrations of pirates, and is credited with creating what has become the modern stereotype of pirate dress. Pyle was widely respected during his life and continues to be well regarded by illustrators and fine artists. His contemporary Vincent van Gogh wrote in a letter to his brother Theo that Pyle's work "struck me dumb with admiration." He had a lasting influence on a number of artists who became notable in their own right. N. C. Wyeth and Jessie Willcox Smith were among his many notable students.