Product Description

If you think that poetry has to be sweet and romantic, or at least serene, think again. Step into the dark world of Edgar Allan Poe. Well known for his spine-tingling, spooky stories that are even more chilling than today's horror films, Poe also wrote poems that expressed the shadowy regions of his mind. More than 20 of his poems and selections from his stories are accompanied by mood-setting, full-colour drawings and notes that make his work easier to understand.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #468336 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781402754722
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Following its treatment of Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson, Sterling adds two more titles on American masters to the Poetry for Young People series: Carl Sandburg, edited by Frances Schoonmaker Bolin, illustrated by Steven Arcella, and Edgar Allan Poe, edited by Brod Bagert, illustrated by Carolynn Cobleigh. Each poem is accompanied by definitions of difficult words ($14.95 each, 48p, ages 7-up ISBN 0-8069-0818-1; -0820-3 May).
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up?While both volumes offer a spacious format; a wide variety of poems; and colorful, interpretive illustrations, Sandburg is by far the stronger of the two. Poe suffers from the editor's explanations of what each poem means and from the inclusion of 8 prose passages placed in verse form, along with the 13 legitimate poems. Bagert's commentaries dampen rather than spark the imagination, and the doctored prose creates confusion between Poe's poems and tales. The realistic paintings are of uneven quality; the small vignettes are more effective than the full-page renderings. The 33 poems in Sandburg vary in length and theme, but most are the staples of anthologies, e.g., "Fog," "Arithmetic," and "We Must Be Polite." The surrealistic illustrations, which appear to be rendered in pastels, are appealing; the soft edges and warm tones work well with Sandburg's imagery. Both books include a biographical sketch of the poet, footnotes providing definitions of difficult words, and a title index.?Pat Katka, San Diego Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Nothing short of breathtaking." - Parents Magazine"

Customer Reviews

Insightful Overview of an American Writer
The legend of Edgar Alan Poe is far from the reality, as we learn in A & E's Biography series documentary of his life. The much misunderstood author is given a fair look in this 50 minute overview. They bring us the sad, broken Poe, stumbling through lectures and readings, but they also show us a good man who loved literature and wanted to succeed as a writer.

Any student of Poe has been inundated with macabre, morbid tales of involving dead women, drug abuse and affairs. What is disregarded by early biographers are the facts between the tales. He crafted stories with careful excellence, depending on technique, and not the lack of sobriety. He drew from his personal life, but also fabricated complex fantasies that became the model for Stephen King, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie and others. His poetry caught the attention of European greats like Charles Baudelaire and Mihaly Babits, who, in turn, translated Poe's works for the world.

We see where Poe lived an, and hear not only from his literary works, but his letters and the writings of those who knew him. We are able to attain a sense that Poe was not a monster only brooding in his woes, but a family man who longed to remain with Virginia, who lived with, as he wrote in "Annabel Lee," "no other thought than to love and be loved by me."

The affect of the tragedies which surrounded him are explored, from his poor relationship with his adoptive father to the many deaths of loved ones, lost to tuberculosis. Many men would have been enfeebled to write, but Poe took his sadness and expressed it as literary art.

I fully recommend "Biography - Edgar Allan Poe." His life has the legendary elements of scandal and addiction, but to know Poe better, it is important to learn beyond the cliches like "master of the macabre." This video does that.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Good Book
this is a good collection for younger readers who have not been intoduced to poe- there are side notes that define the out-of-date words and a summary at the beginning of each story excert/poem. There are illustrations for each piece of work as well that help younger persons visualize as well.

Homework review
This is a great book by Edgar Allan Poe that is filled with great "Poe"ms. My favorite is the poem called "The Raven." Some of the poems are a bit scary, and there are some scary pictures. I would recommend it for ages 8+. There are also poems that you can't find in any of Poe's books because they are shortened versions of larger, unabridged poems. Also, some of the poems have to do with death. Thanks to Brod Bagert, (editor) Carolynn Cobleigh, (illustrator) and of course, Edgar Allan Poe.