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File X (20)

Joshua Glenn — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:30:22 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing, io9, and Coudal readers, here’s the twentieth in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

The Face of X (1960), by Lionel Roberts.

and

Zero Minus X, by Karl Zeigfreid (1962).

NB: Lionel Roberts and Karl Zeigfreid are pseudonyms of R L(ionel) Fanthorpe, who also wrote under the excellent pen names Othello Baron, Erle Barton, Lee Barton, Thornton Bell, Leo Brett, Bron Fane, Mel Jay, Marston Johns, L P Kenton, Oben Lerteth, John E Muller (with John S Glasby), Elton T Neef, Phil Nobel, Peter O’Flinn, Rene Rolant, Victor la Salle, Deutero Spartacus, Neil Thanet, Trebor Thorpe, Pel Torro, and Olaf Trent.

BONUS! Here are several other “X” titles by Fanthorpe, via the excellent website Fantastic Fiction.

The X-machine (1962), by John E Muller.

Phenomena X (1966), by John E Muller.

Force 97X (1965), by Pel Torro.

Formula 29X (1969), by Pel Torro.

File X (19)

Joshua Glenn — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:00:57 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing, io9, and Coudal readers, here’s the nineteenth in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

Virus X (1945), by Sydney Horler

NB: The sixth book in Horler’s Dr. Paul Vivanti series.

File X (18)

Joshua Glenn — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:00:46 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing, io9, and Coudal readers, here’s the eighteenth in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

Commando X (1967), by Poke Runyon.

NB: Carroll “Poke” Runyon is a former Green Beret and occultist. Shortly after publishing this novel, he founded the Ordo Templi Astartes, which was dedicated to the revived worship of the Canaanite goddess Astarte and her consort Baal; he later founded also the Church of Hermetic Sciences. The title character of the 1972 psychedelic cult film horror movie Simon, King of the Witches was said to have been based in part on Runyon.

File X (17)

Joshua Glenn — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:00:21 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing, io9, and Coudal readers, here’s the seventeenth in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

The Man from Planet X No. 2: Tiger by the Tail (1975), by Hunter Adams.

Hunter Adams was a pseudonym of Jim Lawrence, who — using the house pseudonym Victor Appleton II — wrote 24 installments in the “Tom Swift Jr.” series (including Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X [!!!], 1961) and the racy-sounding Tom Swift and His Megascope Space Prober, 1962), and who also penned 9 Hardy Boys books under the house pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon.

NB: In my eccentric periodization scheme, “midcentury” lasts through the end of the Sixties (1964-73), so I’m cheating a little by including this title. OK, and I’m also cheating because the title of the book is Tiger by the Tail, which doesn’t include an X. But check out the curves on that… er, letter X!

File X (16)

Joshua Glenn — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:00:48 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing, io9, and Coudal readers, here’s the sixteenth in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

The Power of X (1970 edition; first published 1968), by Arthur Sellings.

File X (15)

Joshua Glenn — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:00:15 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing and io9 readers, here’s the fifteenth in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

Planetary Agent X (1965), by Mack Reynolds.

NB: First installment in Reynolds’ United Planets series.

File X (14)

Joshua Glenn — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:00:38 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing and io9 readers, here’s the fourteenth in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

Madame X (1966), adapted by Michael Avallone from the 1966 movie of that title, story/screenplay by Jean Holloway.

Bonus: Below, another “X” title from the same author.

File X (13)

Joshua Glenn — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 10:00:57 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing and io9 readers, here’s the thirteenth in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

Nurse Lily and Mister X (1961), by Diane Frazer.

This must have been a successful novel. It’s the first in a long run of similar titles — e.g., Confidential Nurse (1962), Nurse Turner Runs Away (1962), An American Nurse in Paris (1963), Nurse With a Past (1964), The Nurse And The Spying Stranger (1968) — by the same author.

File X (12)

Joshua Glenn — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:00:18 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing and io9 readers, here’s the twelfth in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

Echo X (1968 edition), by Ben Barzman. Original title: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (1960).

Below: bonus shot of the 1962 edition’s cover! For some reason, over the years I’ve picked up multiple copies of this title.

File X (11)

Joshua Glenn — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:00:28 +0000

In response to the demands of HiLobrow, Boing Boing and io9 readers, here’s the eleventh in what is now a series of twenty posts showcasing my collection of midcentury paperbacks the titles of which include an “X.”

Perry Rhodan No. 16: Secret Barrier X (1972), by W.W. Shols.

NB: Sometimes mistakenly referred to as Perry Rhodan: Secret Barrier X-16.