An intriguing introduction starts off this collection of Edgar Allan Poe's chilling tales of horror and madness. An imaginary application blank is completed with biographical facts about Poe at the age of 21, followed by a discussion of some of the more puzzling aspects of Poe's life, such as, how could Poe, a poet, also have a career in the military? Why was there no formal adoption by Poe's guardian once Poe's parents were deceased? Poe enthusiasts will enjoy learning details about the writing career of this master of nightmarish storytelling either before or after they read his tales of terror.
