"One of the most original American writers, Edgar Allan Poe shaped the development of both the detective story and the science-fiction story. Some of his poems--"The Raven," "The Bells," "Annabel Lee"--Remain among the most popular in American literature. Poe's tales of the macabre still thrill readers of all ages. Here are familiar favorites like "The Purloined Letter." "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," together...

Eight of the author's poems are interspersed with nine of his short stories which include "The Man That Was Used Up," "The Balloon-Hoax," and "The Purloined Letter." Includes a brief biography of the author.