Edgar Allan Poe

Book Overview

Edgar Allan Poe not only wrote such gothic classics as The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher, he also lived a haunted life worthy of one of his tales. This volume features... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0877546029
• ISBN13: 9780877546023
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Chelsea House Publications
• Length: 155 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

one of the earliest attempts to define Poe written in the late 19th century.

This book dissects the personality of Poe from his works and since it is a biography it deals with some of the more negative aspects of Poe as well as the positive one's.There are alot of reproductions of letters written by Poe in regard to his personal life as well as letters written to him.Some very flattering others less so,as if he may have had a "mood disorder".His criticisms of others works the author defends as almost entirely just, but it is also pointed out Poe was occasionally susceptible to flattery,particularly if there a financial renumeration or a" well turned ankle" involved.This is one work where Poe's use of laudenum(a mixture of opium and alcohol) receives attention.apparently this drug was a common stock at the doctor's office(not to mention the street vendor)and was used and prescribed for alot of people."Opium dreams",a common phrase,could have been one of Poe's inspirations,a mind of his calibre would certainly remember and be able to profoundly describe those visions of paradise(and horror)!!it is obvious to me that the author of this book admires and respects Poe, but keeps his distance for the sake of his interpretation of the truth.The 1840's with no copyright laws and high illiteracy would not make much opportunity for men like Poe other than "free lancing"an open invitation for "economic violence".Woodberry's book reads smoothly and pretty much gets to the essence of Poe in my opinion.

good

a pretty good book. it's definently a good read for those interested in poe.

verry cool

this book is a good information sorce on the american poet edger allen poe. it talks about his life and his poetry. verry cute.