Mark Dawidziak

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.

The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe

Mystery of Mysteries

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.

A Mystery of Mysteries

Can you live your life by what The Twilight Zone has to teach you? Yes, and maybe you should. The proof is in this lighthearted collection of life lessons, ground rules, inspirational thoughts, and stirring reminders found in Rod Serling’s timeless fantasy series. Written by veteran TV critic, Mark Dawidziak, this unauthorized tribute is a celebration of the classic anthology show, but also, on another level, a kind of fifth-dimension self-help book, with each lesson supported by the morality tales told by Serling and his writers. The notion that “it’s never too late to reinvent yourself” soars through “The Last Flight,’’ in which a World War I flier who goes forward in time and gets the chance to trade cowardice for heroism. A visit from an angel blares out the wisdom of “follow your passion” in “A Passage for Trumpet.” The meaning of “divided we fall” is driven home with dramatic results when neighbors suspect neighbors of being invading aliens in “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.” The old maxim about never judging a book by its cover is given a tasty twist when an alien tome is translated in “To Serve Man.”

A Fifth-Dimension Guide to Life

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in the Twilight Zone

Discusses the origins, plots, and personnel of the innovative television mystery show which starred Peter Falk as the scruffy Detective Columbo.

A Casebook

The Columbo Phile

"A satirical self-help gift book showcasing Mark Twain's wittiest quotes about the life well lived"--

Mark Twain's Guide to Diet, Exercise, Beauty, Fashion, Investment, Romance, Health and Happiness

Jim Tully

Paul Bauer

Based on his time as a circus laborer, Circus Parade presents the sordid side of small-time circus life. Tully's use of fast-paced vignettes and unforgettable characters made this book one of his most successful, both commercially and critically. Among the cast is Cameron, the shifty circus owner; Lila, the lonely four-hundred-pound strong woman; and Blackie, an amoral drug addict. This is by no means a romantic story about a boy joining the circus. Tully knows too well its seamier side. Instead, he paints a picture of life at the edges--earthy, wolfish, and brutal. Fans of Jack London, Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck, Charles Bukowski, and hard-boiled writers of the 1930s will find a kindred spirit in Jim Tully.

Circus Parade

When Columbo hit the airwaves in 1971, in quickly became the hottest TV detective series of the decade. Series creators Richard Levinson and William Link received an Emmy Award for their work; Peter Falk received three. The Columbo Phile offers fascinating behind-the-scenes information about the creation of the character, the writing of the devious mystery plots, and the altercations between perfectionist Peter Falk and the bottom-line concerns of Universal Studios. Originally published in 1989 and long out-of-print, this 30th Anniversary Edition of the essential Columbo book features a new preface by author Mark Dawidziak, an overview of post-1989 Columbo developments, including the twenty-four new ABC mysteries, and a personal remembrance of Peter Falk. It remains today the definitive guide to the rumpled Lieutenant Columbo and his career.

The Columbo Phile: A Casebook

The bedside, bathtub, and armchair companion to Dracula

Horton Foote

(Applause Books). Published for the first time and reprinted from the only surviving copy of the script, which was discovered in the CBS-TV vaults, Applause is proud to present The Shape of the River , an ambitious television drama by Horton Foote. Mark Twain once remarked that inside every person, "there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy." However, tragedy was a dimension of Twain's life that was largely concealed from the public until The Shape of the River , starring Shirley Knight, appeared on the acclaimed series Playhouse 90 in 1960. Foote's play explored the misfortune and loss that characterized Twain's last 15 years. From his heroic (and successful) attempt to repay almost $100,000 in debt by lecturing around the world (which he hated), to the deaths of his wife and two daughters, this last phase of his life was marked by an incredible amount of sadness and pain. Not seen since its initial broadcast, The Shape of the River has long held legendary status for fans of both Twain and classic television. The play is accompanied by commentary by Twain scholar Mark Dawidziak, who examines the writing and production of the teleplay, and considers its meaning for students of Twain and television. Also included are rare photos from the original Playhouse 90 taping.

The Lost Teleplay about Mark Twain

Horton Foote's "The Shape of the River"

Mark Twain spent much of his life surrounded by cats, and they weaved their way into his writing. In this lighthearted book, Twain scholar Mark Dawidziak explores the writer s lifelong devotion to cats through stories, excerpts, quotes, photos, and illustrations, illuminating a little-known side of this famous writer s life that will appeal to Twain aficionados and cat lovers alike."

Mark Twain for Cat Lovers

This Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion to the world’s most famous vampire looks at all aspects of the Dracula phenomenon in often unexpected ways – in true Bedside tradition including entries on the psychological and sociological implications of the book and the stage plays; the movies; television versions; actors, and, of course, the historical Dracula, Vlad the Impaler. >

The Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion to Dracula

Mark Twain

Provides a personal look at the man behind the writing through an amusing collection of his expressed opinions and thoughts on such topics as such as fellow writers, authors, editors, children's books, humor, and public speakers.

Mark Twain on Writing

Mark My Words

America is cat crazy, and Mark Twain may have been the American writer most crazy about cats. From his boyhood in Hannibal, Missouri, to his last years in Connecticut, Mark Twain spent much of his life surrounded by cats, and they stalk through many of his best-known books, including The Innocents Aboard, Roughing It, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, and Puddn’head Wilson. In this lighthearted book, Twain scholar Mark Dawidziak explores the writer’s lifelong devotion to cats through stories, excerpts, quotes, photos, and illustrations, illuminating a little-known side of this famous writer’s life that will appeal to Twain aficionados and cat lovers alike.

True and Imaginary Adventures with Feline Friends

Stalks Carl Kolchak as he in turn pursues vampires, zombies & extraterrestrials ... credited as the inspiration for the X-Files.

A 25th Anniversary Tribute

The Night Stalker Companion

A 25th anniversary history and celebration of The Shawshank Redemption, one of the most cherished American films of the late twentieth century and one of the finest movies made from a Stephen King story. Featuring behind the scenes photography and new interviews with the cast and crew!

How One Story Keeps Hope Alive

The Shawshank Redemption Revealed

“Here is the master in all of his certainty, humor, and undertow”—this book“wonderfully underscores how contemporary Mark Twain is and always will be” (Ken Burns). Curated by a noted Mark Twain scholar who mined many of his lesser-known texts, speeches, and notebooks, this collection presents the best of the curmudgeonly author’s thoughts on many of life’s endeavors and distractions—from diet and exercise to medicine, smoking, drinking, romance, parenting, old age, fashion, finances, politics, and stress management. Always entertaining and unapologetically honest, Twain’s sage advice for the ages will leave you laughing—and might even inspire you to rethink that plan to give up gluten and join a CrossFit class. On politics: “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” On happiness: “There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist, except an old optimist.” On parenthood: “Familiarity breeds contempt—and children.” On exercise: “I have seen slower people than I am . . . and even quieter, and more listless, and lazier people than I am. But they were dead.” On stress management: “Let us swear while we may, for in Heaven it will not be allowed.”

Richard Matheson

Reproductions of scripts and screenplays, short stories, and a novel, along with introductions, photos, cast, and credits.

Mark Dawidziak

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