🩸 Horror Fiction

Explosions: Stories of Our Landmined World

✍️ Peter Straub
Reader Score
4.5
(2 reviews)
$13.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A charity anthology edited by Peter Straub supporting landmine clearance efforts.

This collection gathers twenty-five distinct narratives focused on the persistent danger of unexploded ordnance. Contributors include Jeffrey Deaver, David Morrell, John Sayles, Amy Wallace, and James Grady. The tales cover events from the Spanish Civil War through to Iraq. They examine the impact of war on civilians in various settings. The book supports the Mines Advisory Group with one hundred percent of its proceeds. It combines literary fiction with humanitarian aid goals.

Key Themes
unexploded landmines Spanish Civil War Iraq conflict
Literary Context

Published in 2014 by Evil Jester Press, this anthology addresses the global issue of landmines. It supports the Mines Advisory Group, a Nobel Prize honored organization dedicated to eradicating these dangers. The book reflects ongoing humanitarian efforts in war-torn regions worldwide.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Jeffrey Deaver · David Morrell
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Evil Jester Press 📅 2014 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780692223420

📝 Description: Explosions: Stories of Our Landmined World

Peter Straub, a recognized author and screenwriter, has compiled Explosions: Stories of Our Landmined World to support the Nobel Prize honored Mines Advisory Group. This charity anthology features twenty-five tales contributed by both bestselling and up-and-coming writers. The collection includes work from Jeffrey Deaver, David Morrell, John Sayles, Amy Wallace, James Grady, and others. These narratives explore the lingering horrors of unexploded landmines and ordnance that continue to kill and maim people long after conflicts end. The stories span various historical periods and locations, ranging from the Spanish Civil War to Iraq. They depict scenes from the corridors of power as well as active battlefields. The book presents haunting visions of a world still scarred by war. It aims to offer new beginnings to war-torn regions while saving lives. A cover by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Matt Wuerker accompanies the text. This volume suits readers interested in supernatural fiction, gothic themes, and literary charity projects. It may not appeal to those seeking purely fictional horror without real-world context. All proceeds from the sale of this book go directly to MAG and its global work. The collection serves as a literary feast for any reader who wishes to help save lives through their purchase.

💎 Our verdict on Explosions: Stories of Our Landmined World

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
This anthology is a specialized item that may not suit readers seeking pure escapism or traditional supernatural horror devoid of real-world context. It is best for those interested in the intersection of literary fiction and humanitarian aid. The collection’s strength lies in its diverse contributors and serious tone, offering haunting visions of war-torn regions rather than gratuitous gore. While it serves as a vital resource for awareness, casual horror fans might find the focus on landmines too stark or educational. However, for readers valuing literary charity projects and the work of authors like Peter Straub, it is an essential, impactful purchase that merges storytelling with life-saving action.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who seek meaningful engagement with literature will find this collection profoundly rewarding. It offers a unique opportunity to support the Mines Advisory Group through every purchase, directly contributing to global landmine clearance efforts. The anthology appeals to those fascinated by the lingering psychological and physical scars of war, spanning from the Spanish Civil War to Iraq. Contributors like Jeffrey Deaver and John Sayles provide diverse perspectives on civilian suffering. It is ideal for readers who appreciate literary fiction that transcends mere entertainment to address urgent humanitarian crises. By combining haunting narratives with tangible charitable impact, this volume allows buyers to save lives while exploring the dark realities of unexploded ordnance in a cohesive and compelling format.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —
⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★★
Readers drawn to poignant supernatural tales with political weight will cherish this anthology. It is ideal for fans of literary horror who appreciate real-world activism woven into fiction. Those preferring detached, purely fantastical scares without grounding in actual tragedy may find the heavy…

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 2 reviews
5
1
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Ethan D.
December 11, 2025
Kept me up

Got it as a gift for a friend who loves the genre. The setting is practically a character, and a hostile one. A keeper.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While the collection is marketed toward supernatural and gothic enthusiasts, the narratives primarily focus on the lingering, realistic horrors of unexploded ordnance. The 'supernatural' aspect often manifests as psychological dread or metaphorical terror rather than overt ghosts or monsters.
This is a strictly charitable project. One hundred percent of the proceeds from every sale are donated directly to the Nobel Prize-honored Mines Advisory Group to help clear landmines and save lives in conflict zones worldwide.

📖 Who should read this

Readers drawn to poignant supernatural tales with political weight will cherish this anthology. It is ideal for fans of literary horror who appreciate real-world activism woven into fiction. Those preferring detached, purely fantastical scares without grounding in actual tragedy may find the heavy subject matter too confronting.

📜 Historical context

Peter Straub curates this vital collection within the enduring tradition of horror as social commentary. By uniting established and emerging voices, the book echoes the genre’s capacity to confront collective trauma through narrative. It aligns with charity anthologies that leverage speculative fiction to highlight ongoing human suffering, transforming personal fear into a tangible force for humanitarian aid and global awareness.

✍️ More books by this author Peter Straub

All books by this author →
The Talisman
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Peter Straub
The Talisman
$14.99
86
Read →
The Talisman: A Talisman Novel -29%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Peter Straub
The Talisman: A Talisman Novel
$41.00 $58.00
81
Read →
A Dark Matter
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Peter Straub
A Dark Matter
$21.00
86
Read →
Black House
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Peter Straub
Black House
$12.99
86
Read →
Black House: A Talisman Novel
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Peter Straub
Black House: A Talisman Novel
$41.00
81
Read →
Mr. X
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Peter Straub
Mr. X
$15.00
78
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Evil Jester Press

All books from this publisher →
Balance
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Eric Shapiro
Balance
$8.95
81
Read →
Deep Cuts: Mayhem, Menace, & Misery
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Yvonne Navarro
Deep Cuts: Mayhem, Menace, & Misery
$14.95
81
Read →
Carnival of the Damned
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Hollie Snider
Carnival of the Damned
$10.99
81
Read →
Welcome to the Graveyard: And Other Stories
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Mark Allan Gunnells
Welcome to the Graveyard: And Other Stories
$11.95
81
Read →
Help! Wanted: Tales of On-the-Job Terror
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Stephen Volk
Help! Wanted: Tales of On-the-Job Terror
$14.95
81
Read →
Moondeath
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Christopher Golden
Moondeath
$17.95
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Black House ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Peter Straub
Black House
$12.99
86
Read →
Shadowland ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Peter Straub
Shadowland
$12.99
86
Read →
Deep Cuts: Mayhem, Menace, & Misery ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Yvonne Navarro
Deep Cuts: Mayhem, Menace, & Misery
$14.95
81
Read →
Help! Wanted: Tales of On-the-Job Terror ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Stephen Volk
Help! Wanted: Tales of On-the-Job Terror
$14.95
81
Read →
Welcome to the Graveyard: And Other Stories ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Mark Allan Gunnells
Welcome to the Graveyard: And Other Stories
$11.95
81
Read →
Carnival of the Damned ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Hollie Snider
Carnival of the Damned
$10.99
81
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist