A Mystery of Mysteries

The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe

De: Mark Dawidziak

Narrado por: Grover Gardner

A Mystery of Mysteries is a brilliant biography of Edgar Allan Poe that examines the renowned author’s life through the prism of his mysterious death and its many possible causes.

It is a moment shrouded in horror and mystery. Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7, 1849, at just forty, in a painful, utterly bizarre manner that would not have been out of place in one of his own tales of terror. What was the cause of his untimely death, and what happened to him during the three missing days before he was found, delirious and “in great distress” on the streets of Baltimore, wearing ill-fitting clothes that were not his own?

Mystery and horror. Poe, who remains one of the most iconic of American writers, died under haunting circumstances that reflect the two literary genres he took to new heights. Over the years, there has been a staggering amount of speculation about the cause of death, from rabies and syphilis to suicide, alcoholism, and even murder. But many of these theories are formed on the basis of the caricature we have come to associate with Poe: the gloomy-eyed grandfather of Goth, hunched over a writing desk with a raven perched on one shoulder, drunkenly scribbling his chilling masterpieces. By debunking the myths of how he lived, we come closer to understanding the real Poe―and uncovering the truth behind his mysterious death, as a new theory emerges that could prove the cause of Poe’s death was haunting him all his life.

In a compelling dual-timeline narrative alternating between Poe’s increasingly desperate last months and his brief but impactful life, Mark Dawidziak sheds new light on the enigmatic master of macabre.

©2023 Mark Dawidziak (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

Good Poe Biography

There was a Poe documentary that PBS did not that long ago, called Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive. This book has a lot of that same information, but it gets to elaborate and tell more of the story of its subject than can be fit into a 1 hour-ish documentary. The narrator has a good 'documentary' voice, and I enjoyed his performance. All around, a good summary of the life and death of one of the best American authors.

Informative, Entertaining, Nicely Written

Must-read for any Poe/literature enthusiasts, also a great teaching tool for learners. Precise and unpretentious. I enjoyed it!

poe was tortured by the time he lived

very good biography, I wish more about Poes politics were discussed. especially around the issue of secret societies.

Demystifying the Master of the Macabre

Think you know Poe?
Think again.

Dawidziak impressively paints a portrait of Poe few in the mainstream public are aware of, and explores the most probable reasons for his death and how his final hours were spent.

Often sad, funny, and revealing, Dawidziak hits a home run with an impeccably researched and well told exploration of the man we all know simply as Poe.

Poerific!!

Excellent book!! Dawidziak captured Poe's life in such detail, more than other books about Poe I've read. Highly recommend!!

Poe lives!

A pitch-perfect overview of the life of Edgar Allan Poe, who was, in the end, just another human being and not a ghost nor ghoul nor freak nor madman. Thumbs (and raven wings) up.

Behind the daguerreotype

Did you know the actual complete works of Edgar Allan Poe fill multitudes of volumes? I found that fascinating. The usual complete works that we are used to are really just the most popular poems and gothic tales. Poe was far more than the brooding figure writing on a stormy night that we imagine him to be. This book tells the whole story of his life. I now look forward to visiting the Poe museum in Richmond. Wonderful narration by Grover Gardner.

The Mystery Delivers

An excellent listen and a compelling narrative drive this investigation into to one of the most enduring American literary geniuses!

Good Biography and Summary of previous Biographies

Revolving around the mysterious death of Edgar Allan Poe, this Biography covers Poe's life, writing, and mysterious and debated death. I learned a lot about one of the greatest American writers of all time. It has inspired me to go back and read more of his stories and poems.

Compelling Take on Poe’s Death & Life

Fascinating, well written, convincing, and perfectly told by Grover Gardner, who’s done such great work reading Mark Twain and Robert Caro’s LBJ volumes.