The Dark Descent (NO. 1)

Winner of the World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology. "A gigantic, superlatively edited historical overview of horror fiction.” ―Chicago Sun-TimesIn The Dark Descent, hailed as one of the most important anthologies ever to examine horror fiction, editor David G. Hartwell traces the complex history of horror in literature back to the earliest short stories. The Dark Descent showcases the finest of these ever written--from the time-honored classics of masters of the form.

Amazon.com Review

If you could have only one anthology of dark stories, this would be the one to have. Having observed that "fans of horror fiction most often restrict their reading to books and stories given a horror category label, thus missing some of the finest pleasures in that fictional mode," David G. Hartwell assembles here 56 important tales within an insightful critical framework; his purpose is to "clear the air and broaden future considerations of horror." Several well-known classics are included, but there are also dozens of lesser-known horror tales, including many by science fiction and literary writers. Get one copy for yourself. Get another for that friend or relative who doesn't understand why you like to read horror.

Chicago Sun-Times

“A gigantic, superlatively edited historical overview of horror fiction.”

New York Newsday

“For a sample of the current excellence and variety of horror, one could do no better.”

The West Coast Review of Books

“An important work which belongs in every library.”

About the Author

Clive Barker is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels and collections of short stories that range from horror to fantasy. He has had much success in film, directing Hellraiser and Nightbreed.Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) was one of science fiction's greatest luminaries. The author of such classic, important works as Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, and Something Wicked This Way Comes, Bradbury was honored in 2007 with a Pulitzer citation "for his distinguished, prolific and deeply influential career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy." Other distinctions include a 1954 honor from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, a Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation in 2000, and the National Medal of Arts, awarded by President George W. Bush and Laura Bush in 2004. He was also an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter. Born in Waukegan, Illinois in 1920, Bradbury spent most of his life in Los Angeles, where he passed away in 2012.John Collier (1901-1980) was an award-winning author best known for his short stories, many of which published in The New Yorker. His short story "Fancies and Goodnights" won an Edgar Award; Collier's story collection of the same name later won the International Fantasy Award.Shirley Jackson (1916–1965) is a towering figure in twentieth-century gothic fiction. She is the author of many books and short stories, including The Haunting of Hill House, Hangsaman, Life Among the Savages, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, and “The Lottery,” which is considered to be her masterpiece."Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947. In the spring of 1973, Doubleday & Co., accepted the novel Carrie for publication, providing him the means to leave teaching and write full-time. He has since published over 40 books and has become one of the world's most successful writers. Stephen lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. They are regular contributors to a number of charities including many libraries and have been honored locally for their philanthropic activities.

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