Fifty True Tales of Terror

by John Canning

Here is a compelling collection of harrowing horrors, dreadful dangers, and soul-staggering incidents - of men and women caught in the grip of paralyzing fear.Classic stories of scarifying suspense!Edited by John Canning.

Genres: Horror, Fiction

412 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Bryan Whitehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was a pre-teen – 12 years old, if memory serves – my grandfather gave me a copy of this book. It swiftly became one of my favorites. So I was thrilled when I recently found another edition of my long-lost treasure – in hardback, no less – in one of my favorite used book stores. Odd how one’s tastes can change. To be sure, out of 50 stories there are more than a couple that are entertaining and sometimes even genuinely informative. But overall the book is made up – to a much greater extent than I had remembered – by stories with, to put it charitably, a generally Eurocentric and specifically Anglophilic flavor. Indeed, some are little more than tiresome, gothic chain-rattlers, scarcely worthy to be called “true” even by lax standards. Others are pulp-ish, two-fisted tales of English machismo reminiscent of the blusterings of Commander McBragg. And occasionally an author or two crosses the line into outright historical inaccuracy. But if one manages to avoid the castle ghosts and “I was there” claptrap, most of the rest of the tales should delight even experienced fans of inhumanity and catastrophe.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at some historical events including crimes, disasters, and wars. Do they all fall under the category of tales of terror? That depends on the mindset of the reader and how they respond to the stories, not so much by the choices by the editor and his view of the level of terror to include each tale in the collection.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

It deserves three stars, but to say I liked it could give the wrong impression.
Many of the stories are quite horrible.
Man's inhumanity to man is clearly exposed.
From Masada and Genghis Khan to the earthquakes of San Franciusco and Valparaiso, a wide range of terror is told...

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview: Mr. Canning has quite the collection of true stories. But remember just because something is true, the truth very well may just be the truth of legend.

Likes: I enjoyed most of the stories, especially “The Day the Germans Hanged Me” and “Desert Flight.”

Dislikes: I didn’t like how Mr. Canning let his biases bleed through these stories. Especially at the end of “The Signal Box Killers.” Historical and other true stories really ought to just be told, and not sensationalized. Let’s face it, hindsight is twenty-twenty.

Conclusion: The book was still fascinating. It’s worth the read, just form your own opinions about what happened.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always have a back up book in case of need. This is one that I carried in my car for several years, only reading a story here and there when I didn't have another book with me. Most of the stories were very short and could be read while waiting in lines and things. I don't know about the "true" part of the title. They sound like many urban legend stories. I just don't remember much about most of the tales. Part of that might have been the circumstances I read them under. I didn't find the collection compelling, though.