THE NEW QUEST
Welcome to Tarzan.CC! There are already many wonderful fan sites dedicated to the character of "Tarzan Of The Apes". My hope is certainly not to top any of them (not that it would be possible), but rather to extend my hand in fellowship to them, and to reach out to both new and current fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs' most beloved character.
When I was young, I could find all of ERB's twenty-four original "Tarzan" novels on the shelves of almost any bookstore. If any were missing, they were soon replaced. Yet today, I'm lucky to find the first two books alone in the major retail chains. I feel that this generation is in danger of losing touch with one of the greatest literary heroes of our time, relegating whatever memories they have of the name "Tarzan" to the silliest and most shallow of stereotypes. And so, as one who owes much for the profound influence that the "ape-man" had on my youth, I find the need to do my part to keep his legend and legacy alive in this age where creativity, imagination and a true sense of adventure seem to be in rapid decline.
When I was young, I could find all of ERB's twenty-four original "Tarzan" novels on the shelves of almost any bookstore. If any were missing, they were soon replaced. Yet today, I'm lucky to find the first two books alone in the major retail chains. I feel that this generation is in danger of losing touch with one of the greatest literary heroes of our time, relegating whatever memories they have of the name "Tarzan" to the silliest and most shallow of stereotypes. And so, as one who owes much for the profound influence that the "ape-man" had on my youth, I find the need to do my part to keep his legend and legacy alive in this age where creativity, imagination and a true sense of adventure seem to be in rapid decline.
DISCOVERING "TARZAN OF THE APES"
As it is, the evolution of Tarzan in print and film has been so diverse that there are many Tarzans that a person can come to love. You might be primarily a fan of the books, or a fan of the movies. And if you are a fan of the movies, you might more specifically be a fan of certain actors in the role (i.e., Johnny Weissmuller or Gordon Scott).
Personally, I began as one, became the other, and eventually grew into both. As a young child, I was first exposed to Tarzan by watching the Weissmuller movies. I was a fan from the start. I remember playing and climbing trees in the woods behind a local church in Memphis, envisioning myself as Tarzan. But around age 12, my father gave me a book that his father had given him as a child. It was the classic "Tarzan Of The Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and I remember it being a 1st printing by A.C. McClurg & Co… OK! I'm just joking! That's possible, but I need to call him to see if he still has it before making that claim… :-)
Regardless of its origin, the book changed the course of my life. As soon as I finished the first, I purchased the next, "The Return Of Tarzan", followed by "The Beasts Of Tarzan" and "The Son Of Tarzan". I bought the first few from any store I could find them in. I specifically remember getting one in the gift shop of the Little Rock Municipal Airport while on route to Mexico for a family vacation. After the 5th or 6th book, I found a local shop in town called "The Paperback Writer" that carried all the novels (these were the late 70's / early 80's Ballantine printings with covers by legendary artists Neal Adams and Boris Vallejo), and I began making a 3-mile pilgrimage by foot every week or two to get the next novel. There was about a mile of woods (part of a local park) that I could cut through as a shortcut along the way, and frequently I would rest there, take my shirt off, and become "Tarzan The Solitary" for an hour before resuming the journey to get my new book. I held on my complete set of Tarzan novels like a hidden treasure for years, until about the year 1999, when I sold them back to the same man I'd purchased most of them from in my early teens. I've regretted parting with them ever since.
Personally, I began as one, became the other, and eventually grew into both. As a young child, I was first exposed to Tarzan by watching the Weissmuller movies. I was a fan from the start. I remember playing and climbing trees in the woods behind a local church in Memphis, envisioning myself as Tarzan. But around age 12, my father gave me a book that his father had given him as a child. It was the classic "Tarzan Of The Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and I remember it being a 1st printing by A.C. McClurg & Co… OK! I'm just joking! That's possible, but I need to call him to see if he still has it before making that claim… :-)
Regardless of its origin, the book changed the course of my life. As soon as I finished the first, I purchased the next, "The Return Of Tarzan", followed by "The Beasts Of Tarzan" and "The Son Of Tarzan". I bought the first few from any store I could find them in. I specifically remember getting one in the gift shop of the Little Rock Municipal Airport while on route to Mexico for a family vacation. After the 5th or 6th book, I found a local shop in town called "The Paperback Writer" that carried all the novels (these were the late 70's / early 80's Ballantine printings with covers by legendary artists Neal Adams and Boris Vallejo), and I began making a 3-mile pilgrimage by foot every week or two to get the next novel. There was about a mile of woods (part of a local park) that I could cut through as a shortcut along the way, and frequently I would rest there, take my shirt off, and become "Tarzan The Solitary" for an hour before resuming the journey to get my new book. I held on my complete set of Tarzan novels like a hidden treasure for years, until about the year 1999, when I sold them back to the same man I'd purchased most of them from in my early teens. I've regretted parting with them ever since.
BECOMING "GREYSTOKE"
I was in 7th grade, and had become enamored with ERB's Tarzan novels. My best friend at the time was equally enchanted with the "Conan" series, and we used to have friendly arguments about "who would beat who" in a battle. I was fully convinced that Tarzan would clean Conan's clock if they ever squared off... still am, for the record!
Adolescence is an extremely difficult time for any kid. I strongly believe that the early teen years are where one forms the foundation of the person that they will eventually become. In Tarzan, I found an example... a "guide" of sorts that helped me through that time. All I ever wanted was to be the best person I could be in the world I found myself living in, and ERB's "Tarzan" character provided me with a template that I adopted and applied to my own evolving persona. Aside from the thrills of the tales of grand adventures and epic battles, Tarzan portrayed many traits that I came to associate with the pinnacle of human existence and expression. And these were:
INDIVIDUALITY
For me, Tarzan was the personification of the "individual". He was both distinct by nature of his history, and also by choice once he encountered others of his kind. Tarzan didn't attempt to be different from everyone else, as some "counter-cultural" people do, but found a way to interact seamlessly with civilized society while remaining true to the self that his unique development in the jungle had formed. Sometimes he longed for the companionship of his own type, and other times he renounced it in disgust, returning to his savage heritage. Learning to appreciate and respect who I was, as well as to value my own thoughts and feelings, made me impervious to the "peer pressure" that affects so many kids struggling to be accepted by their "friends". Like Tarzan, I had a desire to socialize with other people, but not necessarily emulate their behavior. And I found that I was respected by others for being myself, contrary to the myth that you can't be "popular" if you don't fit the pop-cultural mold.
INTELLIGENCE
Contrary to some screen versions of Tarzan as a "dumb savage", Lord Greystoke would certainly have ranked as a "genius" if given an I.Q. test. The ape-man taught himself to read and write from books left in his deceased father's cabin, without guidance from anyone. That's an incredible task, no matter how you slice it. Self-education became a virtue to me. Today, I am successful in a career that many people pay tens of thousands of dollars to be trained in... but I am 100% self-taught.
STRENGTH
In ERB's novels, Tarzan possessed a "god-like physique" and almost super-human strength. Fitness is important to me, and no matter what anyone says, having a powerful physical presence does bring advantages in life. It is certainly not the most important thing, but makes for a nice compliment to a well-developed character.
CONFIDENCE
Tarzan had faith in his prowess and abilities, even in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. He was certainly the poster-child for "The Power Of Positive Thinking". And from this, I learned that you are only limited by your own mindset in what you can hope to accomplish in life.
WARINESS
Tarzan was always on the alert for impending danger. I don't espouse 100% distrust of everything around you, but I've found it imperative to remain sharp and on guard against the words and actions of people willing to exploit others for their own gain.
FEARLESSNESS
Fear was not an emotion known to the ape-man. He lived a full, exciting life, yet was ready to die at any time without regret. Curiously, I've found that in situations of impending danger (i.e., an imminent automobile accident or a physical threat), that a half-smile crosses my face, coupled with an appreciation and acceptance of potential fate. I don't look for trouble, I swear! :-)
MORAL ABSOLUTENESS
Tarzan knew the difference between right and wrong from the most primitive point of view. There are no "gray areas" in the jungle... Don't get confused in the real world, where the definition of morality is endlessly litigated. Those who seek to blur the lines between good and evil are those who have something to hide or fear discovery of, plain and simple.
COMPASSION
In time, Tarzan learned to temper his savage instincts with reason. He no longer killed on a whim, but came to value human life above the beasts of the jungle. Tarzan often spared people that he probably should have killed, but what good would the stories have been if he dispatched the arch-villains by the third chapter of the book?
LEADERSHIP
The ape-man was the most natural of leaders, able to rally many species or races around him as necessary. From apes, to elephants, to peoples of lost civilizations, Tarzan commanded respect and obedience from those that he encountered. To me, leadership is the sum of all the afore-mentioned traits, which found together mark the sign of a true leader of others.
These models for character had a tremendous influence on me during those years, reducing the constant "yammering" of self-serving pop culture to mere "white noise".
Adolescence is an extremely difficult time for any kid. I strongly believe that the early teen years are where one forms the foundation of the person that they will eventually become. In Tarzan, I found an example... a "guide" of sorts that helped me through that time. All I ever wanted was to be the best person I could be in the world I found myself living in, and ERB's "Tarzan" character provided me with a template that I adopted and applied to my own evolving persona. Aside from the thrills of the tales of grand adventures and epic battles, Tarzan portrayed many traits that I came to associate with the pinnacle of human existence and expression. And these were:
INDIVIDUALITY
For me, Tarzan was the personification of the "individual". He was both distinct by nature of his history, and also by choice once he encountered others of his kind. Tarzan didn't attempt to be different from everyone else, as some "counter-cultural" people do, but found a way to interact seamlessly with civilized society while remaining true to the self that his unique development in the jungle had formed. Sometimes he longed for the companionship of his own type, and other times he renounced it in disgust, returning to his savage heritage. Learning to appreciate and respect who I was, as well as to value my own thoughts and feelings, made me impervious to the "peer pressure" that affects so many kids struggling to be accepted by their "friends". Like Tarzan, I had a desire to socialize with other people, but not necessarily emulate their behavior. And I found that I was respected by others for being myself, contrary to the myth that you can't be "popular" if you don't fit the pop-cultural mold.
INTELLIGENCE
Contrary to some screen versions of Tarzan as a "dumb savage", Lord Greystoke would certainly have ranked as a "genius" if given an I.Q. test. The ape-man taught himself to read and write from books left in his deceased father's cabin, without guidance from anyone. That's an incredible task, no matter how you slice it. Self-education became a virtue to me. Today, I am successful in a career that many people pay tens of thousands of dollars to be trained in... but I am 100% self-taught.
STRENGTH
In ERB's novels, Tarzan possessed a "god-like physique" and almost super-human strength. Fitness is important to me, and no matter what anyone says, having a powerful physical presence does bring advantages in life. It is certainly not the most important thing, but makes for a nice compliment to a well-developed character.
CONFIDENCE
Tarzan had faith in his prowess and abilities, even in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. He was certainly the poster-child for "The Power Of Positive Thinking". And from this, I learned that you are only limited by your own mindset in what you can hope to accomplish in life.
WARINESS
Tarzan was always on the alert for impending danger. I don't espouse 100% distrust of everything around you, but I've found it imperative to remain sharp and on guard against the words and actions of people willing to exploit others for their own gain.
FEARLESSNESS
Fear was not an emotion known to the ape-man. He lived a full, exciting life, yet was ready to die at any time without regret. Curiously, I've found that in situations of impending danger (i.e., an imminent automobile accident or a physical threat), that a half-smile crosses my face, coupled with an appreciation and acceptance of potential fate. I don't look for trouble, I swear! :-)
MORAL ABSOLUTENESS
Tarzan knew the difference between right and wrong from the most primitive point of view. There are no "gray areas" in the jungle... Don't get confused in the real world, where the definition of morality is endlessly litigated. Those who seek to blur the lines between good and evil are those who have something to hide or fear discovery of, plain and simple.
COMPASSION
In time, Tarzan learned to temper his savage instincts with reason. He no longer killed on a whim, but came to value human life above the beasts of the jungle. Tarzan often spared people that he probably should have killed, but what good would the stories have been if he dispatched the arch-villains by the third chapter of the book?
LEADERSHIP
The ape-man was the most natural of leaders, able to rally many species or races around him as necessary. From apes, to elephants, to peoples of lost civilizations, Tarzan commanded respect and obedience from those that he encountered. To me, leadership is the sum of all the afore-mentioned traits, which found together mark the sign of a true leader of others.
These models for character had a tremendous influence on me during those years, reducing the constant "yammering" of self-serving pop culture to mere "white noise".
LOSING MY YOUTH
Though this foundation in me never changed, adulthood presents its own set of challenges. With the pressure from ever-increasing responsibilities, life has its way of swallowing you up, doesn't it? First, there was my career. Then marriage, followed by children (not necessarily in that order for some people). For years now, I've been required to respond rapidly to one thing or another at both the office and at home, and rest times could be better described as "crash times", with little or no energy left to dream or imagine.
The funny thing is, as these things happen gradually over time, you risk losing your youth without much sense of doing so. But then, I began to look back and realize how much I had let slip away. Not regret for where I was and what I had achieved (career, marriage and children bear many great joys in life), but a sense of loss for the unbridled passion and love for adventure of my youth. I took a step back and realized how much I had let time subdue me, and yearned for something to revitalize me.
The funny thing is, as these things happen gradually over time, you risk losing your youth without much sense of doing so. But then, I began to look back and realize how much I had let slip away. Not regret for where I was and what I had achieved (career, marriage and children bear many great joys in life), but a sense of loss for the unbridled passion and love for adventure of my youth. I took a step back and realized how much I had let time subdue me, and yearned for something to revitalize me.
TARZAN REBORN!
And so my interest in Tarzan became rekindled, and after promising myself to do so for many years, in 2004 I began to re-read the original ERB Tarzan novels. A few months ago, I returned to the same bookstore owner that I'd known in my youth (now in business as "Lorenzen & Co. Booksellers") and started ordering hard-to-find titles, enjoying the experience of purchasing Tarzan books from my old friend again.
I also began to re-watch the movies, and not only that, but to purchase all the movies I had not previously seen, and watch those as well. I started to collect pictures and memorabilia, including personalized items from authors and actors both. I began exercising with renewed vigor to restore my physique to prime condition, and even cleared out paths in the woods behind my house, so that I could escape into the "jungle" when I needed to regroup and relieve the stress and madness of the week. I began to enjoy my life again….
I don't climb many trees these days, much less travel through them with the speed and agility of the Great Apes. And regrettably, I've never taken the opportunity to force a gorilla into submission by placing him in a "Full Nelson". But in many other ways, I am Tarzan. At least, I think I am Tarzan… and that's all that really matters in my jungle. I do believe that there is a little bit of Tarzan in each of us.
I also began to re-watch the movies, and not only that, but to purchase all the movies I had not previously seen, and watch those as well. I started to collect pictures and memorabilia, including personalized items from authors and actors both. I began exercising with renewed vigor to restore my physique to prime condition, and even cleared out paths in the woods behind my house, so that I could escape into the "jungle" when I needed to regroup and relieve the stress and madness of the week. I began to enjoy my life again….
I don't climb many trees these days, much less travel through them with the speed and agility of the Great Apes. And regrettably, I've never taken the opportunity to force a gorilla into submission by placing him in a "Full Nelson". But in many other ways, I am Tarzan. At least, I think I am Tarzan… and that's all that really matters in my jungle. I do believe that there is a little bit of Tarzan in each of us.
W E L C O M E !
Lord and Lady Greystoke, circa 2003, captured on film during an extremely rare public appearance.
