Avram Davidson was an American Jewish writer of fantasy fiction, science fiction, and crime fiction, as well as the author of many stories that do not fit into a genre niche. He won a Hugo Award and three World Fantasy Awards in the science fiction and fantasy genre, a World Fantasy Life Achievement award, and a Queen's Award and an Edgar Award in the mystery genre.

In this collection of stories from 1959 to 1961, Avram treats us to pieces on maritime tragedies, Prohibition-era gangsters, forgotten Americans, the Triangle Shirt Co. tragedy, and the Crimean Light Brigade blunder. He also has an intriguing theory about Jack the Ripper.