"The Essential Tales and Poems" is a large, yet thorough, collection of the poems and stories written by horror master Edgar Allen Poe. Admirers will be happy to see Poes most famous works present in the collection: "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Cask of Amontillado." These works have struck fear in audiences for generations, solidifying Poes place in the American literature canon. Fans of Poe will not be disappointed with the additional selection of works present in "The Essential Tales and Poems;" "Fairy Land," "The Raven," and "Annabel Lee" are just three of the seventeen poems, accompanied by thirty-three short stories. The anthology even includes Poes novel "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" to round out the selection. Poes works frequent the topics of death, mourning, and dark romanticism, all of which made him unpopular with the Romantic poets and writers of his time. They claimed that his works lacked elegance and propriety. Poe himself was wary of the work that was overly transcendental and romantic, and he thoroughly enjoyed writing Gothic horror. Poes stories were wildly popular with audiences, and his tales and poems remained consistently popular throughout the next 150 years. Now, Poes stylish prose and poetry is adored and emulated by readers of all genres. Readers who want to enjoy the best of his talent will find great pleasure in "The Essential Tales and Poems."