by Isaac Asimov
First published 1989
Isaac Asimov presents a collection that explores humanity's fascination with the supernatural despite his own commitment to rationalism. The anthology gathers unsettling stories from masters like H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury, Arthur Conan Doyle, Edith Wharton, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, and Rudyard Kipling. These tales span from strange curiosities to dark horrors, examining clairvoyance, precognition, devil worship, séances, exorcism, and the evil eye. Asimov provides commentary after each story, connecting the fictional elements to actual occult beliefs that continue to influence modern culture. The collection demonstrates how even rational minds can be drawn to supernatural possibilities when faced with choosing between harsh facts and appealing fantasies. Each story reveals why people willingly suspend their disbelief to embrace mysteries beyond logical explanation.
Genres: short-stories, anthologies, 20th-century, fantasy, horror, occult
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, thought-provoking
Tropes: supernatural, unsettling
354 pages · Hardcover · Prometheus Books