Harold Lamb

Harold Lamb (1892–1962) was an American historian, screenwriter, and writer of fiction, whose scholarship and narrative skill carved him a special niche in 20th-century literature. Best remembered for his stirring historical tales and biographies, Lamb's meticulous research underpinned a lifelike portrayal of the past. 'Forward', while a less cited work in Lamb's oeuvre, still encapsulates his evocative prose and keen insight. Lamb's literary style often emulated the swashbuckling adventures of the figures he depicted, carefully entwining factual history with the vivid narrative drive of a novel. This capacity to animate history attracted a broad readership and distinguished his work from more pedantic historical accounts. His talent for screenwriting complemented his narrative flair, evident in his contributions to the film industry during the 1930s and 1940s. Lamb's passion for the broader strokes of civilization's canvas allowed him to create an enduring legacy of accessible history, bringing the sweep of empires and the exploits of great leaders vividly to life for his audience. Among his renowned works are biographies such as 'Genghis Khan: The Emperor of All Men' (1927) and 'Alexander of Macedon: The Journey to World's End' (1946), which reflect his enduring interest in central Asian and Middle Eastern history.