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Poe’s stature as a major figure in world literature is based on his ingenious and profound poems, which established a highly influential rationale for the short form in poetry. Poe was also the principal forerunner of the “art for art’s sake” movement in 19th-century literature. He demonstrated a brilliant command of language and technique as well as an inspired and original imagination. Poe’s poetry greatly influenced the French Symbolists of the late 19th century, who in turn altered the direction of modern literature. Here, perhaps, is his most icon lauded work as interpreted by veteran actor Giuliano.

Edgar Allan Poe was one of the most important and influential American writers of the 19th century. He was the first author to try to make a professional living as a writer. Much of Poe’s work was inspired by the events that happened around him. His poetry alone would ensure his spot in the literary canon. Poe’s notable verses range from the early masterpiece “To Helen” to the dark, mysterious “Ulalume.” From “The Raven,” which made him world-famous upon its publication in 1845, to “Annabel Lee,” the posthumously published eulogy for a maiden “in a kingdom by the sea.” Most famously, Poe completely transformed the genre of the horror story with his masterful tales of psychological depth and insight not envisioned in the genre before his time and scarcely seen in it since. Stories like “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Masque of the Red Death,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher” reveal Poe’s talent at its height. He was an early pioneer in the genre of science fiction. Poe was fascinated by the science of his time, and he often wrote stories about new inventions. Poe too is credited with inventing the modern detective story with “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” His concept of deductive reasoning, which he called “ratiocination” inspired countless authors, most famous among them Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes.

“I slept with faith and found a corpse in my arms on awakening; I drank and danced all night with doubt and found her a virgin in the morning.”

“Having to talk destroys the symphony of silence.”

“The sin which is unpardonable is knowingly and wilfully to reject truth, to fear knowledge lest that knowledge pander not to thy prejudices.”

“I hardly ever talk- words seem such a waste, and they are none of them true. No one has yet invented a language from my point of view.” Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley was born 12 October 1875. He was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. Crowley founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the prophet entrusted with guiding humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, he published widely over the course of his life. Born to a wealthy family in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Crowley rejected his parents’ fundamentalist Christian faith to pursue an interest in Western esotericism. He was educated at Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, where he focused his attentions on mountaineering and poetry. Some biographers allege that here Crowley was recruited into a British intelligence agency, further suggesting that he remained a spy throughout his life. In 1898 he joined the esoteric Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he was trained in ceremonial magic. Moving to Boleskine House by Loch Ness in Scotland, Crowley went mountaineering in Mexico before studying Hindu and Buddhist practices in India. He married Rose Edith Kelly and in 1904 they honeymooned in Cairo, Egypt Crowley declared his followers should “Do what thou wilt” and seek to align themselves with their True Will through the practice of magick. Herein is the definitive treasury of his long lost writings.

11-year-old actor Eden Giuliano presents a brand new line of exciting children’s stories from Icon! Lyman Frank Baum was an American author chiefly famous for his children’s books, particularly The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. He wrote 14 novels in the Oz series, plus 41 other novels, 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. We know you will enjoy this very special series from Icon Audio Arts hosted by young Eden Giuliano!