John Norman, the pen name of philosophy professor John Lange, began the Gor novels in 1966 with a story about British professor Tarl Cabot transported to another planet. The sword-and-planet series became especially controversial for its depictions of women’s enslavement and the suggestion that it is a natural social order. A 2011 interview with Norman offers his account of the books’ influences and aims; it does not establish whether he still teaches.
John Lange and the John Norman pen name
A March 22, 2011 io9 interview with Norman reports that John Norman is the pen name of John Lange and that Lange had taught philosophy at Queens College, CUNY, for decades. That account supports the “philosophy professor” framing, but it is not a current faculty record and does not confirm his present employment.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Masterpieces: The Best Science Fiction of the 20th Century | $11.03 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Fahrenheit 451 | $13.58 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Project Hail Mary: A Novel | $13.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
1984: 75th Anniversary | $6.42 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
1984: The Graphic Novel: A Graphic Novel Adaptation of the Classic Dystopian Novel | $11.80 | Buy on Amazon |
How the Gor series begins
The io9 interview dates Norman’s writing of the Gor books to 1966 and describes them as sword-and-planet fiction. The opening premise follows Tarl Cabot, a British professor who is transported to another planet. The first book is Tarnsman of Gor.
For readers interested in the series’ later publication history, the Chronicles of Gor site says New World Publishers was formed in 2001 to bring the books back into print, and that E-Reads later chose to publish the series in ebook and print formats. The site lists Treasure of Gor as available from March 26, 2024; that date is the site’s listing, not a live check of retailer stock. Chronicles of Gor describes itself as fan-run and independent of Norman, his agent, and publishers, so its publication-history account should be read in that context.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
Why the books became controversial
The io9 interview’s introduction identifies men enslaving women—and the novels’ suggestion that female slavery is in some sense a natural order—as prominent elements of the books. Those depictions are central to the controversy around the series. This is a description of the material and its reception as presented in the interview, not a claim that every reader or critic responds to the books in the same way.
Norman offered a different frame for his purpose. In the interview, he called the novels “intellectual, philosophical, and psychological” and said they examine an alien culture from within, as its inhabitants might understand it. That is Norman’s account of his artistic intention; it does not remove the gender hierarchy depicted in the books or settle how readers should assess it.
Rank #2
Influences Norman identified
Asked about his intellectual influences, Norman named Homer, Nietzsche, and Freud. He associated Homer with a primitive warrior ethos, Nietzsche with hierarchy and cultural criticism, and Freud with depth psychology and the centrality of sex. He also said he was fond of Edgar Rice Burroughs and especially impressed by Burroughs’s Martian series. These are Norman’s retrospective descriptions of his influences, not a definitive map of every source behind Gor.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Norman on his writing and its audience
When asked how his approach had changed, Norman said: “I think the approach to the series is pretty much unchanged. One tries to write well, to write honestly, deeply, and attentively. Most real writers will do this.” In the same answer, he said, “I have written independently of the market, and the market, astonishingly, came to me.” Both statements appear in the 2011 io9 interview and represent Norman’s own view, not independently verified evidence about sales or readership.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
The available interview and series-site material establish the series’ premise, Norman’s stated influences and intentions, and a later publication history. They do not establish a reliable sales total or current readership figure.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Author: George Orwell.
- Publisher: Signet Classic
- Pages: 328
- Publication Date: 1961-01-01
- Edition: Large type / Large print
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
