Arguably the father of modern horror fiction, H.P. Lovecraft has attained the status of a classic. Editors Joshi and Schultz have worked diligently to put his life, as told in his words through letters, in better perspective. This work succeeds, for the most part, because the editors are careful to give readers a context for the letters. In one letter, they explain, Lovecraft waxes philosophic about marriage"especially revealing in light of his virtual abandonment of his wife three years previously. There is always the danger of lack of balance in allowing an author!s posthumous words to speak for him; fortunately, that does not seem to be the case here. Lovecraft!s foibles (his racism and anti-Semitism, for example) are openly acknowledged, and some new and interesting facts are revealed, particularly regarding his state of mind when writing to other authors. Tracing not only Lovecraft!s life but his work is a daunting task, and the editors have done a commendable job. Recommended for academic libraries and larger public libraries."