The Journal of Julius Rodman: Being an Account of the First Passage Across the Rocky Mountains of North America Ever Achieved by Civilized Man — Gothic

The Journal of Julius Rodman: Being an Account of the First Passage Across the Rocky Mountains of North America Ever Achieved by Civilized Man — photo 1

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The Journal of Julius Rodman: Being an Account of the First Passage Across the Rocky Mountains of North America Ever Achieved by Civilized Man

Name: The Journal of Julius Rodman: Being an Account of the First Passage Across the Rocky Mountains of North America Ever Achieved by Civilized Man
Price: 15.65 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9789187611407

✍️ Edgar Allan Poe

Reader Score

4.2

(2 reviews)

$15.65

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A rare serialized novel by Poe about crossing the Rocky Mountains.

This volume recovers a significant piece of Poe’s bibliography that has historically been excluded from standard collections. By compiling the six published installments from Burton's Gentleman Magazine, Timaios Press provides access to a narrative that explores the unknown American frontier. The text reflects Poe’s interest in the supernatural and the mysterious, blending historical expedition accounts with fictional elements. Readers can examine how Poe approached long-form storytelling outside his usual short story format. The inclusion of letters proving authorship adds scholarly value for those studying Poe’s complete output.

Key Themes

Rocky Mountains lost world indigenous tribes

Literary Context

Poe published this anonymously in the mid-nineteenth century. It appeared in Burton's Gentleman Magazine before being recognized as his work after his death. The story reflects the era’s fascination with exploring the uncharted western territories of North America.

Edgar Allan Poe

📚 all books by this author (764) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Mary Shelley · The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym · Early American Gothic Tales

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Gothic

🏛 Timaios Press 📅 2021 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9789187611407

📝 Description: The Journal of Julius Rodman: Being an Account of the First Passage Across the Rocky Mountains of North America Ever Achieved by Civilized Man

Edgar Allan Poe, the American master of Gothic horror and suspense, presents a rare fictional account in this volume. The Journal of Julius Rodman chronicles the first expedition across the Rocky Mountains, a region largely unexplored during Poe’s lifetime. This narrative details life-threatening adventures, encounters with isolated indigenous tribes, and sightings of strange animals within hints of a lost world. Originally serialized in Burton's Gentleman Magazine, the work was published anonymously. Letters found years after Poe’s death confirmed his authorship beyond doubt. Although scholars recognize this as Poe’s creation, it is frequently omitted from editions titled Complete Tales. The story stands as one of Poe’s longest fictional works, surpassed only by The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym. This edition collects the six installments that were originally published. It suits readers interested in early American exploration fiction and Poe’s lesser-known prose. Those seeking his famous detective stories or short tales may find this lengthy expedition narrative less appealing. The text offers a glimpse into Poe’s attempt to write a serialized novel before he completed the full series.

💎 Our verdict on The Journal of Julius Rodman: Being an Account of the First Passage Across the Rocky Mountains of North America Ever Achieved by Civilized Man

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Those expecting his signature detective stories or concise psychological horror will likely find this lengthy expedition narrative tedious and slow-paced. It serves primarily as a historical artifact for those analyzing Poe’s serialized writing process or his interest in the mysterious frontier. The text’s appeal is niche, catering to academic curiosity and deep bibliographic completeness rather than immediate entertainment. Readers should approach it with an understanding that it is a substantial, less polished attempt at novel-length storytelling.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This volume is essential for dedicated Poe scholars and enthusiasts of obscure horror history who wish to examine the author's development outside his renowned short story canon. It offers a rare glimpse into Poe’s long-form narrative techniques and his preoccupation with the unknown American frontier. Readers interested in the convergence of true exploration logs and fictional supernatural elements will find significant value here. The inclusion of letters confirming authorship provides scholarly depth, making it a vital resource for those studying the complete scope of Poe’s bibliography rather than just his most famous works.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Adventure enthusiasts and Poe completists will cherish this rare serialization. However, readers craving his signature psychological dread or concise short stories may find the extended expedition narrative pacing too slow and less engaging than his renowned horror classics.

Reader rating

4.2

Based on 2 reviews

Alex B.

August 2, 2025

A friend from my book club recommended it. Some chapters are hard to read in the best possible way. The font runs small in this edition. Good, with the caveats above.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it is rarely found in 'Complete Tales' volumes. This edition specifically gathers the six original installments from Burton's Gentleman Magazine for the first time in one place.

Unlike his tight, psychological horror, this is a sprawling adventure tale featuring survival against nature and mysterious creatures. It focuses on exploration rather than supernatural terror or detective work.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

This serialized novel emerges from Poe’s ambition to craft a grand American epic, mirroring the era’s fascination with Westward Expansion and frontier exploration. As one of his longest works, it bridges Gothic suspense with early speculative fiction, offering a unique glimpse into his development as a novelist before he fully mastered the short story form that defines modern horror literature.