We're still not really sure what Poe died of, but at least four of the above diseases have been cited as possible immediate causes of his death. Any time a doctor can look over your dead body and say, "Well, he might have died of heart disease, but then again it might have been rabies..." you can rest assured that you led a full life.

It is too bad that Peter isn't around... he was, by all accounts, often present at the interrogation/torture of political prisoners and probably would have learned a thing or two. As to President Abraham Lincoln, the one thing that everybody who actually got to speak with him agree on is that he could, in the space of half an hour, manage to divert you from your original purpose and end up suggesting to him exactly what he wanted you to suggest without more on his part than a couple of anecdotes and a nod of the head. Apparently, some of that skill has been lost somewhere along the way...

- Count Dolby von Luckner

When I was in Eighth Grade, as part of English class we listened to these tapes of crazy readings of Edgar Allen Poe stories.

The one that stood out the most was "The Cask of Amontillado." Fortunado was sloshed and cheery, raving about the amontillado right up until his ass got chained up. Montresor was calm and creepy.

It remains my favorite Poe story.

"For the love of God, Montresor!"

"Yes, for the love of God!"

--Geoff