Ivan Yefremov (1908 - 1972) was a Soviet writer and paleontologist. In addition to introducing a new paleontological field taphonomy - the study of fossilization patterns, Yefremov has written a series of novels and short stories, including science fiction, historic fiction, adventure and drama. Yefremov is frequently ridiculed for his enthusiasm and faith in the viability of a communist society, as described in his best known science fiction novel "Andromeda Nebula." What is frequently overlooked is Yefremov's tremendous knowledge of history and profound understanding of psychology. His...

Alexander Kuprin prefaced his novel "The Pit" about the lives of early 20th century Russian prostitutes as follows, "I know many people will find this novel amoral and inappropriate, but nevertheless I dedicated it from the bottom of my heart to mothers and young people." Indeed, the novel's publication was followed by an explosion of outrage. The "good" society accused Kuprin of slander and forever exiled him from its sitting rooms, charity auctions, and holiday balls. Progressive intellecutals winced and shuddered, but could not help admitting Kuprin had a point. As with the works of...

How many ways are there for driving someone mad? You could take him out of his time and propel him into another era. You could pluck him from his home and drop them in the middle of primitive jungle.You could pull him off the surface of the Earth altogether. Welcome to the "Tales of Madness" - a collection of three novellas by Alexander Belyaev bound to make you ponder the variety of ways, in which one might lose his mind.