Charles Loring Jackson (1847-1935) brought organic chemistry to America, but his scientific intellect was matched by an avid interest in theater and literature. At almost 80 years of age, he published this collection of weird tales, a mix of science fiction, fantasy, and the supernatural. Inanimate objects come to life, a strange island filled with novel creatures is discovered, a ghost seeks revenge, a man travels back and forth between different lives. . . . While Jackson may have been little more than an enthusiastic amateur with his short story writing, there is no doubt that his...