Dark Forces (Signet) [Paperback]

Kirby McCauley (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 1989 | Series: Signet

This is the ultimate feast of fear by a host of horror writers such as Robert Bloch, Ray Bradbury, Ramsey Campbell, and others. Twenty-four macabre tales include the nerve-twisting novelette The Mist by Stephen King. Previously published in mass market by Bantam.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Dark Forces is one of the greatest collections of original horror stories published since World War II, and it may prove to be one of the most influential anthologies of its kind, ever. Edited by award-winning editor (and recognized authority) Kirby McCauley, this was the first superstar collection of famous horror writers. It has been often imitated but never surpassed. McCauley was inspired by another landmark collection; his goal was to publish an anthology "with the same scope and dynamism of Harlan's Ellison's Dangerous Visions, but in the supernatural horror field." Dark Forces succeeds on every level, especially in the selection of the 24 contributors, a "Who's Who" from across the spectrum of imaginative literature: Richard Matheson, Dennis Etchison, Ramsey Campbell, Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch, Joyce Carol Oates, Isaac Bashevis Singer. Oh, yes, also found here is the first appearance of an unforgettable short novel called "The Mist" by an up-and-comer named Stephen King. Dark Forces belongs on the shelf of anyone who desires the very best the field has to offer. --Stanley Wiater

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Signet; First Edition edition (October 3, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451162218
• ISBN-13: 978-0451162212
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,757,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the finest collection of short horror fiction., July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dark Forces (Signet) (Paperback)

Wagner consistently did justice to the title "Year's Best Horror Stories", Grant gifted us with his "Shadows" series. But when someone asks me for "the best short horror story collection" every volume of those distinguished anthologies, and numerous other collections I've read in the past 2 decades, are always edged out by McCauley's gem "Dark Forces". Included are stories of monsters in the dark and stories of monsters in the mind. Stories that deliver horror with a sledge hammer and stories that deliver it with a scalpel. The best testimony I can make to this book is to say I've owned 4 copies since it was published - every time I've lent one out, I've never gotten it back. Next person who asks can buy their own copy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, August 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dark Forces (Signet) (Paperback)

Perhaps the finest original anthology of suspense, terror and horror I've ever come across. I've gone through so many copies that I've lost count. Every story is a gem: well-written at worst, lyrical and poetic at best. You'll have your own favorites, but I don't think anyone will come away feeling cheated. This is as good as it gets.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best, July 28, 2003

By 

Phillip Petton (Fullerton, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Forces (Signet) (Paperback)

Twenty years after first reading this masterful collection all it takes is a quick glance at the table of contents to spark those ol' heebie jeebies again. Highly recommended.