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Edgar Allan Poe: The Strange Man Standing Deep in the Shadows (Volume 14)
Strap in for a terrifying look into the life and times of the original strange Edgar Allan Poe.
Poe is viewed as the ultimate doomed romantic whose last days are shrouded in sordid mystery. His life was a disaster, but his achievements in writing are amazing. He is widely recognized as father of the modern short story, inventor of the detective story and the master of horror. A Boston born writer, editor, and literary critic, he's best known for his creepy and macabre tales as well as being one of the central figures in the Romanticism movement in the United States. Accurately being dubbed as the ultimate doomed romantic, Poe was a drunk, his last days are shrouded in mystery akin to that of his short stories. During his lifetime, Edgar Allan Poe didn't make a dime out of writing, but his legacy to the world is one of never-ending riches. He left behind seventy-three wonderfully gruesome stories and a novel filled with suspense and brilliantly twisted plots. Hist stories and poems are now read and revered globally. As another master of horror, Stephen King, has said, we are all "the children of Poe."
Abraham Lincoln, Josef Stalin, Michael Jackson, and Bart Simpson all have one thing in common; they are fans of the nineteenth century American writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe. The writer of "The Raven" has legions of such devotees across the globe.
The list of authors inspired by Poe is long and varied, but his profound influence reaches much further-into music, film, and art just as much as modern day literature. There have been more than a dozen film adaptations of his story "The Fall of the House of Usher," and his works have inspired composers ranging from Claude Debussy to Lou Reed.
More than 160 years after his death, Charlotte Montague has written a fascinating account of Poe's life and times, in which she uncovers a strange man, standing deep in the shadows, who's unique imagination and macabre writing have changed popular culture forevermore. n the process, she uncovers a strange man, standing deep in the shadows, whose macabre stories and twisted plots changed literature forever.
The Oxford People series offers deep dives into the most influential people, subjects, and cultures from history. From horror-fiction legends like H. P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe, to historical heavyweights like Houdini and JFK, to the supernatural world of vampires, werewolves, and ghosts—Oxford People encompasses it all.
Other titles in this series include : Angels, Che, Creating Sherlock Holmes, Extreme Science, Gettysburg, Ghosts, Gunfighters, Houdini, HP Lovecraft, John F. Kennedy, Myths and Legends, Privates and Privateers, Roosevelt and Churchill, Royal Weddings, Skies of WWII, Tesla, Tesla vs. Edison, Vampires, Vikings, Werewolves, Women of Invention, Zombies.
Poe is viewed as the ultimate doomed romantic whose last days are shrouded in sordid mystery. His life was a disaster, but his achievements in writing are amazing. He is widely recognized as father of the modern short story, inventor of the detective story and the master of horror. A Boston born writer, editor, and literary critic, he's best known for his creepy and macabre tales as well as being one of the central figures in the Romanticism movement in the United States. Accurately being dubbed as the ultimate doomed romantic, Poe was a drunk, his last days are shrouded in mystery akin to that of his short stories. During his lifetime, Edgar Allan Poe didn't make a dime out of writing, but his legacy to the world is one of never-ending riches. He left behind seventy-three wonderfully gruesome stories and a novel filled with suspense and brilliantly twisted plots. Hist stories and poems are now read and revered globally. As another master of horror, Stephen King, has said, we are all "the children of Poe."
Abraham Lincoln, Josef Stalin, Michael Jackson, and Bart Simpson all have one thing in common; they are fans of the nineteenth century American writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe. The writer of "The Raven" has legions of such devotees across the globe.
The list of authors inspired by Poe is long and varied, but his profound influence reaches much further-into music, film, and art just as much as modern day literature. There have been more than a dozen film adaptations of his story "The Fall of the House of Usher," and his works have inspired composers ranging from Claude Debussy to Lou Reed.
More than 160 years after his death, Charlotte Montague has written a fascinating account of Poe's life and times, in which she uncovers a strange man, standing deep in the shadows, who's unique imagination and macabre writing have changed popular culture forevermore. n the process, she uncovers a strange man, standing deep in the shadows, whose macabre stories and twisted plots changed literature forever.
The Oxford People series offers deep dives into the most influential people, subjects, and cultures from history. From horror-fiction legends like H. P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe, to historical heavyweights like Houdini and JFK, to the supernatural world of vampires, werewolves, and ghosts—Oxford People encompasses it all.
Other titles in this series include : Angels, Che, Creating Sherlock Holmes, Extreme Science, Gettysburg, Ghosts, Gunfighters, Houdini, HP Lovecraft, John F. Kennedy, Myths and Legends, Privates and Privateers, Roosevelt and Churchill, Royal Weddings, Skies of WWII, Tesla, Tesla vs. Edison, Vampires, Vikings, Werewolves, Women of Invention, Zombies.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 2015
14 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Montague
14 books22 followersCharlotte Montague is an author specializing in maritime history. Her father was a naval office, and as a child, she travelled the world with her family. She travels for most of the year, but returns frequently to her home, a remote 18th century cottage close to a famous smuggler's cove on the Cornish coast.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 24, 2017
3.5
I learned a lot about Poe, but this was pretty repetitive. Basically, he was extremely poor, he drank a lot, and he liked to insult his friends. I would like to have learned more about the specific influences for his writing and where to find tributes/memorials today.
I didn't realize that he really didn't earn anything for his work in his lifetime. The poor guy didn't become truly popular until after his death. The final chapter outlines his immense influence on modern literature, film, music, theater, etc. Impressive!
Beautiful (albeit creepy!) artwork is included as well.
I'm still a Poe fan though, and reading this has made me want to read a few more of his short stories.
I learned a lot about Poe, but this was pretty repetitive. Basically, he was extremely poor, he drank a lot, and he liked to insult his friends. I would like to have learned more about the specific influences for his writing and where to find tributes/memorials today.
I didn't realize that he really didn't earn anything for his work in his lifetime. The poor guy didn't become truly popular until after his death. The final chapter outlines his immense influence on modern literature, film, music, theater, etc. Impressive!
Beautiful (albeit creepy!) artwork is included as well.
I'm still a Poe fan though, and reading this has made me want to read a few more of his short stories.
July 29, 2017
First of all, I just want to say, I've read everything by Poe as he was at one time my favorite author. He still is one of my favorites. I thought I knew a lot about his life through the articles I've read here and there over the years. I realized that I really knew not much of anything about him. His story is sad and very tragic.
Without getting into too much detail, because this is a book every Poe fan should read, one of the things that really stood out to me was how socially awkward Poe was. He fought with a good majority of his literary colleagues and was somewhat of a ladies man. Though he was fiercely loyal to Virginia, he received quite a few letters of admiration from friends, writers, and poets. He would read these letters to Virginia and they would laugh together. After her death, he couldn't bear to be alone so began passionately pursuing several women he was acquainted with. The only thing that really stopped Poe from remarrying was his refusal and/or inability to give up drinking.
I was saddened by the circumstances of his death. He died a not very well liked man, clouded by scandals, alone, and in poverty. Though he had gained quite a bit of popularity due to his stories and poetry, he never made any money from any of it. It took him many years after his death to gain the fame and understanding of his genius that he truly deserved.
I definitely recommend this book. It is fully illustrated. It gives a synopsis of each of his more famous stories. There are explanations for things and events happening at the time that help to shed some light on the corresponding events in Mr. Poe's life. Charlotte Montague wrote a series of these books on different historical figures and I intend to delve into her biography of HP Lovecraft next. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!
Without getting into too much detail, because this is a book every Poe fan should read, one of the things that really stood out to me was how socially awkward Poe was. He fought with a good majority of his literary colleagues and was somewhat of a ladies man. Though he was fiercely loyal to Virginia, he received quite a few letters of admiration from friends, writers, and poets. He would read these letters to Virginia and they would laugh together. After her death, he couldn't bear to be alone so began passionately pursuing several women he was acquainted with. The only thing that really stopped Poe from remarrying was his refusal and/or inability to give up drinking.
I was saddened by the circumstances of his death. He died a not very well liked man, clouded by scandals, alone, and in poverty. Though he had gained quite a bit of popularity due to his stories and poetry, he never made any money from any of it. It took him many years after his death to gain the fame and understanding of his genius that he truly deserved.
I definitely recommend this book. It is fully illustrated. It gives a synopsis of each of his more famous stories. There are explanations for things and events happening at the time that help to shed some light on the corresponding events in Mr. Poe's life. Charlotte Montague wrote a series of these books on different historical figures and I intend to delve into her biography of HP Lovecraft next. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!
February 25, 2016
I thought it was a really neat book about how Edgar was inspired. The artwork that is in this book is very Gothic and carefully drawn. I recommend this book to anyone who loves learning about Edgar Allen Poe.
October 17, 2017
This is a masterful job of biographical research and presentation. It not only brings you close enough to a genius, who lived a horribly difficult life and was a difficult person to be around, to smell the wine on his breath. Charlotte Montague puts Poe under an understanding but unforgiving microscope, showing us his strengths and his weaknesses, as well as the warts and the blossoms of his critics and enemies. She also weaves in the connections to his fiction and his poetry to give us insight into how such a man who lived such a life came to create some of the most important literature in the history of American art.
December 5, 2023
Wow this book was so good. Charlotte Montague really did her research. Reading Poe's stories now just feels different. I never realized how devoted he was to his wife until I read this. It makes sense that he was so devastated. Poe's final words are so sad and chilling. "Lord help my poor soul."
This review is all over the place but those are the things that really stood out to me.
This review is all over the place but those are the things that really stood out to me.
July 27, 2021
“From childhood’s hour I have not been
As others were—I have not seen
As others saw—I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I lov’d, I lov’d alone.”
Edgar Allan Poe, “Alone,” lines 1–8
Edgar Allan Poe: The Strange Man Standing Deep in the Shadows provides a painstakingly detailed account of the myths, legends, and harsh realities behind Edgar Allan Poe’s tragic and difficult life. Opening with Poe’s family tree and closing with Poe’s enduring legacy, the book incorporates an incredible amount of research and historical content, weaving beautiful photos, illustrations, and documents in with summaries of Poe’s famous works and mini biographies of his family members, friends, and acquaintances.
Fascinating, informative, and meticulous, this biography is also unique in design. Larger than a typical hardcover and filled with glossy, full-color pages, it chronicles Poe’s fraught relationships, his constant struggles with poverty and alcoholism, and the disappointments, frustrations, and tragedies that fueled his writing and led to his present-day status as a literary titan, the master of the macabre, and the first prominent American writer to earn a living by his pen. Available through the CW MARS catalog.
As others were—I have not seen
As others saw—I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I lov’d, I lov’d alone.”
Edgar Allan Poe, “Alone,” lines 1–8
Edgar Allan Poe: The Strange Man Standing Deep in the Shadows provides a painstakingly detailed account of the myths, legends, and harsh realities behind Edgar Allan Poe’s tragic and difficult life. Opening with Poe’s family tree and closing with Poe’s enduring legacy, the book incorporates an incredible amount of research and historical content, weaving beautiful photos, illustrations, and documents in with summaries of Poe’s famous works and mini biographies of his family members, friends, and acquaintances.
Fascinating, informative, and meticulous, this biography is also unique in design. Larger than a typical hardcover and filled with glossy, full-color pages, it chronicles Poe’s fraught relationships, his constant struggles with poverty and alcoholism, and the disappointments, frustrations, and tragedies that fueled his writing and led to his present-day status as a literary titan, the master of the macabre, and the first prominent American writer to earn a living by his pen. Available through the CW MARS catalog.
June 8, 2021
“Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.”
This is an amazingly detailed account of Edgar Allan Poe’s tragic and difficult life. It incorporates an incredible amount of research, weaving in beautiful photos, letters, historical documents, accounts, and illustrations of both Poe’s work and his family, friends, enemies, and associates. Extremely thorough, fascinating, and informative, this book is also unique in design: larger than a typical hardcover, it contains glossy pages full of color and fascinating historical content. Thank you to The Quarto Group for this beautiful book, gifted to me as part their Timeless Classics giveaway with Book Riot (which included a gorgeous edition of the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe, along with five additional “complete works of” other famed authors).
This is an amazingly detailed account of Edgar Allan Poe’s tragic and difficult life. It incorporates an incredible amount of research, weaving in beautiful photos, letters, historical documents, accounts, and illustrations of both Poe’s work and his family, friends, enemies, and associates. Extremely thorough, fascinating, and informative, this book is also unique in design: larger than a typical hardcover, it contains glossy pages full of color and fascinating historical content. Thank you to The Quarto Group for this beautiful book, gifted to me as part their Timeless Classics giveaway with Book Riot (which included a gorgeous edition of the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe, along with five additional “complete works of” other famed authors).
February 16, 2019
Ordered online, the size and design of the book surprised me. It’s an unusual structure for a biography but seamlessly carries the reader through the tragic, though often self imposed life of Edgar Allen Poe.
Looks and “feels” like a coffee table book yet unlike them grants insight and knowledge to the genius of Poe. Many photos and letter excerpts from Poe and also friends and his many enemies are scattered throughout the book.
Good read, enjoyable foray into the design of it.
Looks and “feels” like a coffee table book yet unlike them grants insight and knowledge to the genius of Poe. Many photos and letter excerpts from Poe and also friends and his many enemies are scattered throughout the book.
Good read, enjoyable foray into the design of it.
July 17, 2018
Great book that is a fun read. It is very informational without coming off like a text book.
May 21, 2021
It seems that Poe was in love with the idea of love and not an actual person, seeing as how he flits quite easily from one woman to the next.
September 18, 2019
This book makes learning history fun by bringing it alive. The text is well written and engaging and supplemented with pictures and graphic tools like different fonts or background colors reminiscent of old parchment paper to highlight letters or direct quotes from the time to further bring the narrative alive. The context of the time is further enlightened by pictures and mini-bios of the other people Poe was interacting with. I recommend this engaging immersive experience to anyone interested in American history or literative history.
January 21, 2019
If I could go back into history and meet anyone, hands down that would be Edgar Allan Poe. His life is just ver intriguing to me, not to mention his death.
This book was just so engrossing. I loved learning about Mr. Poe.
This book was just so engrossing. I loved learning about Mr. Poe.
May 6, 2021
An insightful account of Poe's life with brief looks into his influence on pop culture. My only criticism (not of the author) is that in learning more about Poe I realised what an unlikable person he was. Never meet your heroes...
November 24, 2017
Amazing read!
December 31, 2018
A concise summary of his life and writings. A good place to start learning about him.
July 16, 2019
All kinds of things you didn't know about Edgar Allan Poe, his friends, his family, his friends he never paid back, plus fantastic illustrations.
March 20, 2022
I loved this book! All biographies should be as fun and well put together, with all the asides and pictures. Exquisitely designed!
February 23, 2022
Una lectura fascinante! Poe tuvo una vida trágica, quizá siendo fiel así al modelo romántico; el escritor es asediado por fuerzas que lo quieren destruir pero solo de esa tensión puede brotar el espíritu artístico. Montague hace un buen trabajo en poner en contexto la obra de Poe con el ambiente cultural, político y social que le tocó. Poe no fue una persona fácil de tratar y con frecuencia intentó destruir a las personas que quisieron ayudarlo; un aspecto oscuro de su sicología que nunca se ha podido explicar completamente. Algunos aspectos de su vida han sido resaltados antes: inventor del relato detectivesco y prestó mucha atención a la ciencia y a los adelantos científicos de su momento; lo que quizá no se divulgado suficiente, es que fue el primer escritor norteamericano (quizá americano) que intentó vivir solo de su escritura; no tuvo mucho éxito en proveerse una estabilidad financiera porque la pobresa estuvo a su toda su vida y al final lo destruyó. Es un artista clave en mi formación y en mi sensibilidad, el primer libro que me regaló mi madre (a los 10 años) fue The Adventure of Arthur Gordon Pym. Todavía conservo esa copia.
December 2, 2025
Bought this last year and just now got around to reading it. I was kinda really impressed with it. Although I liked the Dawidziak book I just finished a little bit more due to the research and scientific explanations, the artwork and research in Montague's book was well done. 🕯
She also took a different approach than most Poe books- I appreciated the weird rabbitholes she went down. I've read quite a bit of Poe's works and books about Poe, but what Montague dug up was fascinating:
-I'd be interested in learning more about Vidoq/the Vidoq Society. I'd heard of it before but didn't realize there was an EAP connection. (Poe worked at one of the papers that ran the first articles about Vidoq, which inspired Poe's later detective stories.)
-The history of daguerrotypes (first form of modern photography), 📷
-The Beauchamp-Sharp Tragedy- listen, I'm from Kentucky and didn't know about this. The Beauchamp-Sharp Tragedy inspired Poe's only written play, The Politician. 🖊
-The Great Balloon Hoax vs The Great Moon Hoax, 🎈
-And how Montague interpreted many of Poe's short stories and included artwork by other artists.
It was nicely done- highly recommend to anyone I know interested in Edgar Allan Poe. 📖
#booksbooksbooks #booksworthreading #booktok #edgarallanpoe #EAP
She also took a different approach than most Poe books- I appreciated the weird rabbitholes she went down. I've read quite a bit of Poe's works and books about Poe, but what Montague dug up was fascinating:
-I'd be interested in learning more about Vidoq/the Vidoq Society. I'd heard of it before but didn't realize there was an EAP connection. (Poe worked at one of the papers that ran the first articles about Vidoq, which inspired Poe's later detective stories.)
-The history of daguerrotypes (first form of modern photography), 📷
-The Beauchamp-Sharp Tragedy- listen, I'm from Kentucky and didn't know about this. The Beauchamp-Sharp Tragedy inspired Poe's only written play, The Politician. 🖊
-The Great Balloon Hoax vs The Great Moon Hoax, 🎈
-And how Montague interpreted many of Poe's short stories and included artwork by other artists.
It was nicely done- highly recommend to anyone I know interested in Edgar Allan Poe. 📖
#booksbooksbooks #booksworthreading #booktok #edgarallanpoe #EAP
January 9, 2019
Took me three years to read, but ultimately a fairly interesting biography of Edgar Allan Poe. I have to admit I learned a few new things here
February 5, 2025
I thought the book would go into more on the details of his death and conspiracies surrounding it. Pretty unlikable guy and didn’t go into much detail on how he wrote. Loved the pictures and art.
January 2, 2026
Strange man indeed.
November 15, 2023
I gave this book 5 Stars because #1 it includes quick synopsis of many stories(which are interspersed with the chronology of his life) #2 biographical sketches of the men who worked with Poe and #3 some original illustrations for his stories. I came across an early 20th century collection of some of his work which had been compiled for a high school course. The introduction in that book consisted of a very thoughtful and interesting description of his life. It also dispels the consensus that Poe was "a drunk". Although he did have a weakness and depression did drive him to self medicate, he actually had long periods of sobriety. This is the second biography of Poe that I read. He occupies a large part of my life these days since I conduct tours at his aunt's house in Baltimore, where he started writing short stories.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews