CAVE BOOKS

CAVE BOOKS Publications Affiliate of the Cave Research FoundationScary Stories of Mammoth CaveColleen O’Conner Olson and Charles Hanion. 2002.7 drawings by Roger W. Brucker.92 pp. 51⁄2 x 81⁄2ISBN 0-939748-54-1 $7.95 pbAs you enter the world’s longest cave you cannot help but wonder about scarystories. Two centuries of tourists and explorers—some of whom got lost, saw orheard the unexplainable, or just wanted to tell a good tale—cannot leave a cavewithout stories. Scary Stories of Mammoth Cave is a collection of nineteenthand twentieth century fiction, historical and more recent first hand accounts ofunusual experiences by National Park Service employees, cave explorers, andscientists.“These eerie tales and believable accounts may have you thinking twice beforeentering a cave and will have you looking back over your shoulder after youarrive.” —Troy Taylor, President, American Ghost Society“Scary Stories offers more than simple tales; a feeling of history permeates thepages. It’s a nicely produced, well-priced paperback that any caver will enjoy.”—Chris Howes, Editor, DescentThe Life and Death of Floyd Collinsby Homer Collins as told to John Lehrberger in 1955. 2001.38 photos.206 pp. 51⁄2 x 81⁄2ISBN 0-939748-39-8 $14.95 hbISBN 0-939748-47-9 $10.95 pbThis is a family story of America’s most famous cave explorer who wastrapped and died in Sand Cave, Kentucky, in 1925. That story has been toldmany times but never before has the complete life of Floyd Collins been presented.Floyd’s younger brother Homer tells how Floyd was fascinated withcaves from his childhood, of his discovery of the famous Crystal Cave on thehome property, and of the Sand Cave rescue attempts from the viewpoint of adevoted brother whose extraordinary efforts to save Floyd were rewarded byhis being removed from the premises while others inexperienced in working incaves carried on the unsuccessful attempt. It is a warm story of a man whoselove in life was exploring caves, a man who endured his grim death with dignityand pride in his vocation.“The book is interesting, and the narritive reads smoothly . . . .”—Bill Mixon, NSS News5