Edgar Allan Poe's Richmond:: The Raven in the River City

I bought this book to read in preparation for visiting the Poe Museum in Richmond, VA, where Mr. Semtner is curator. I highly recommend doing this, as you'll learn about some of the items in the museum's impressive collection, the people Poe knew in Richmond both as a boy and as an adult, and what is where in Richmond - what's still standing, what's not. I was particularly delighted to learn about the buildings that had been salvaged to build the various rooms and structures of the museum, so once I visited, I knew just how special every piece of the museum is. I've read Poe's biography extensively for years, but I still learned new things from this book. It is an in-depth view of Poe in Richmond, a lively, fun read and it is utterly free of the incorrect, Rufus W. Griswold-perpetuated view of Poe. This book reminded me of Arthur Hobson Quinn's "Edgar Allan Poe: A Critical Biography" in its sympathetic, fact-based portrayal of Poe, the man that actually lived, NOT the myth.

This is well written and interesting but for those who are not familiar with Richmond, the references to specific locations in the city is pretty annoyingly meaningless ... How hard is it to include a MAP of historic Richmond????? One print showing a view of the city across the river is not enough!!!Please include a map in any future printings and correct the obvious wrong date on page 14

LOVED IT!

I have read several biography's and this one is accurate. Poe's death was not in a gutter overdosed on drugs. Hate that lie, this has the way he actually dies.

A distant relative of Edgar Allan Poe, Mr. Sempter takes great pain for meticulous historical accuracy in his research and footnotes within the book. I am so grateful to Mr. Sempter's beautifully written biography that finally explores and details the true experiences which shaped Mr. Poe from a very young age, all the while revealing a more engaging and ornery side of poet. As a distant Poe relative myself, I happily embrace this writing. I have even given copies to family members for them to understand the happier Edgar Allan Poe.

While I have read many sensational books and seen movies that stretch the truth- this is among the most accurate portrayal of Poe's life I have read. It is well-written and a good read. Highly recommend.