Pulp fiction the falcon killer

1. Pulp Fiction's "The Falcon Killer" By Fred Duckworth
Originally published in 1939 this story takes place in the Orient where "The Falcon Killer, (Tzun
Kai)," is really Bill Gaylord, China's war ace fighter pilot.
Born to American parents but being raised in Peking, Gaylord finds himself in a foster home
when both his parents lose their life during a violent Boxer uprising. He suffers a second major
blow when his foster family is slaughtered during wartime. Such tragedy at a tender age was
enough to harden his soul and give him nerves of steel. This gives him the edge he needs to
take on the enemy Japanese war planes, of which he intends to blast as many as he can out of
the skies.
He soon finds himself embroiled in events that send him in search of a Japanese spy whose
treachery could spell disaster, a disaster so huge that if he does not find and defeat this man, an
entire ancient Chinese kingdom could be lost to the land of the rising sun.
This is one of the many pulp fiction stories L. Ron Hubbard wrote from the late 1920s to the
1950s. What I love about this book and many of the other stories he has written, is that he
brings a sense of realism to his characters, story line, and exotic locals that depict the era of
that time. His extensive travels around the globe have served him well as a writer. Here is a
quote from him that I think is so true:
"In writing an adventure story a writer has to know that he is adventuring for a lot of people
who cannot. The writer has to take them here and there about the globe and show them
excitement and love and realism. As long as that writer is living the part of an adventurer when
he is hammering the keys, he is succeeding with his story. Adventuring is a
state of mind. If you adventure through life, you have a good chance to be
a success on paper. Adventure doesn't mean globe-trotting, exactly, and it
doesn't mean great deeds. Adventuring is like art. You have to live it to
make it real."
That, I think, sums it up very well. In this story, "The Falcon Killer," the
aerial battles are spectacular and the intrigue and narrow escapes keep
you guessing. Gaylord has another ace up his sleeve, a tattoo of a half
dragon, which has a meaning only the Chinese know. It is the twist you
did not see coming!
Whether you are a pulp fiction fan or just beginning your adventure with these books, I think
you will not be disappointed. These stories written seventy, eighty to ninety years ago give you
a unique perspective of the flavor of that time. Many great writers came from the pulp fiction
era such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Raymond Chandler, Lester Dent, H.P. Love craft and L. Ron
Hubbard to name a few. Enjoy your adventures reading through the wonderful stories from the
Golden Age of Pulp Fiction!