Book Review: Classic Campfire Stories by William W. Forgery

Classic Campfire Stories: Forty Spooky Tales by William W. Forgey

This anthology is a mix of stories by Forgey and by other authors. Some are classic tales by the likes of Ambrose Bierce and Edgar Allan Poe. Others are from Forgey's acquaintances, especially two young men whom he sponsored for a year-long stint in a remote wilderness cabin in Canada. Coming from the Scouts, the men crafted some tales over that year that are included.

Like any anthology, some works are better than others. They are mostly set in the American West or the Canadian wilderness, though some are more remote in time and set in villages or cities. The tales are enjoyable though not as spooky as Forgey claims. My favorites among the originals were "The Bog," "Tatanaka Sapa and His Medicine Bow," and "The Minnesota Maggot of Death." The book includes The Monkey's Paw and The Tell-Tale Heart, which are obvious classics. Each story ends with an outline of the plot and story beats, prepping the reader to tell the story at a campfire or other suitable occasion.

Mildly recommended--if you are into this sort of thing, you will like it. I am definitely into it.