Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales and Poems [Hardcover]

Edgar Allan Poe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2009

The life of American writer Edgar Allan Poe was characterized by a dramatic series of successes and failures, breakdowns and recoveries, personal gains and hopes dashed through, despite which he created some of the finest literature the world has ever known. Over time his works have influenced such major creative forces as the French poets Charles Baudelaire and Andre Gide, filmmaker D.W. Griffith and modern literary legend Allen Ginsberg.

Best known for his poems and short fiction, Poe perfected the psychological thriller, invented the detective story, and rarely missed transporting the reader to his own supernatural realm. He has also been hailed posthumously as one of the finest literary critics of the nineteenth century.

In Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales and Poems fans may indulge in all of Poe's most imaginative short-stories, including The Fall of the House of Usher, The Murders in Rue Morgue, The Tell-Tale Heart, Ligeia and Ms. In a Bottle. His complete early and miscellaneous poetic masterpieces are here also, including The Raven, Ulalume, Annabel Lee, Tamerlane, as well as select reviews and narratives.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

All of the tales by the master of the detective and the macabre story. 53 of his best-known poems plus essays and criticisms. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Edgar Allan Poe self-published his first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems, in 1827. In 1830, Poe embarked on a career as a writer and began contributing reviews and essays to popular periodicals. He also wrote sketches and short fiction and in 1833 published his only completed novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. Over the next five years he established himself as a master of the short story form through the publication of "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Tell-tale Heart" and other well-known works. In 1841, he wrote "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," generally considered the first modern detective story. The publication of The Raven and Other Poems in 1845 brought him additional fame as a poet. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 842 pages
• Publisher: Castle Books (November 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785814531
• ISBN-13: 978-0785814535
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.9 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (139 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Classics

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 98 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All of Poe, and I love it October 6, 2005

By A. Sweeney

Format:Hardcover

All of Edgar Allan Poe's works collected into one hardcover volume. This book has a lot of stuff in it, and I still haven't quite finished it.

I guess what sets this book apart from all the other collections of Poe, is the book itself. It's not annotated, but I couldn't find any collections of Poe that were; however, it does come with a great introduction. And after that, pure Poe. The book is very sturdy, and considering it's price, a great bargain. I personally can't stand the see-saw cut pages that a lot collections like this get, but this book lacks those, and that makes me happy. I also won't waste your time trying to convince how great Poe was, since the fact that you're browsing here means you already know, or at least have a clue.

While any collected Poe book would probably suit you just fine, since there is very little to distinguish them from each other, I would recommend this one, simply because when I was browsing through the various collections, this one appeared to be the best bang for my buck.

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything You Ever Wanted to Know and a Bit More March 17, 2002

By Marc Ruby™ HALL OF FAMEVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This edition of Poe's literary output is the latest incarnation of the original 'Complete Tales & Poems' which came out in 1938 issued by Vintage Press. It has served several generations of students and Poe lovers. Needless to say, it's longevity is proof of basic quality and integrity. For the record, it also includes Poe's two essays, 'The Poetic Principal' and 'The Rationale of Verse.' If you want a 'complete in one volume' approach. This is it.

Truth be told, there are a few technical drawbacks to this edition. The first is size. A thousand pages is a lot to deal with. I always feel clumsy reading it. The other big drawback is print size. I am well into the time of life when tiny print is getting difficult to read. Nor do I like narrow margins.

But really, I don't think one can argue about the sheer quantity of good literature for a reasonable price. It can be read, marked up, dragged around and have coffee spilled on it without ever making its owner feel the least bit guilty. Most of the Poe readers of the world will just love this book. Me, I'm a bit wierd. I would rather have a nice leather bound set of the complete works, rather than just the fiction and poetry, a bit slimmer to hand and easier to read. Considering that that would cost over 20 times the price of this paperback I intend to remain satisfied with this even if it kills me.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic. September 26, 2001

By Helen Connors, professor of English literature

Format:Paperback

This book brings together all of Poe's stories and poems, and suggests the diverse and multifaceted genius of one of the greatest and most influential writers in the history of American literature.

Also recommended: REDEFINING THE 'SELF': SELECTED ESSAYS ON SWIFT, POE, PINTER, AND JOYCE by John Condon Murray