Avram Davidson, Adventures in Unhistory

Adventures in Unhistory: Conjectures on the Factual Foundations of Several Ancient Legends

Avram Davidson; illustrated by George Barr

Tor, Nov 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 076530760X

This is a reprint of a book released in 1993 just before the author died. In it Mr. Davidson provides fifteen essays on a variety of mythological and supernatural characters in which he uses what is considered fact supplemented by conjecture to explain the legends of dragons, Sinbad as well as werewolves, and unicorns, etc. Each entry is written to excite the reader who learns what led to the formation of a particular legend to include Aleister Crowley, and what is the Secret of Hyperborea. This work is well-written with terrific, small, black and white illustrations by George Barr that enhance the text and these fifteen discussions feel more like short stories than ancient historical treatises. Fantasy fans will find this delightful, charming collection fascinating as the audience will agree with Mr. Davidson's assertion that a wombat is real and a dragon is not; but people can describe a dragon; how many can describe a wombat?

Harriet Klausner