Crackpot or visionary? He was considered one of the most controversial authors in the history of science fiction. He claimed his stories were essentially true; but were his writings the nonsensical ravings of a mentally deranged man, or was Richard Sharpe Shaver a true visionary with insight into worlds long forgotten by the surface creatures of Earth? Then again, there were many who said Shaver and his long-time editor, Raymond A. Palmer were simply scam artists seeking fortune and trying to capitalize on one of the most bizarre concepts ever concocted. Contents (originally published in Amazing Stories Magazine, June 1947): "Formula from the Underworld" "Zigor Mephisto's Collection of Mentalia" "Witch's Daughter" "How to Use the Shaver Alphabet" (essay)

Did Richard S. Shaver's underworlds really exist? We don't think so, but it's obvious that many people did back in the 1940s. When "I Remember Lemuria" was first published in Amazing Stories magazine back in 1945 it caused quite a stir. Shaver swore his writings, though written in story form, were based on factual events and places. Many people believed in Shaver's underworlds. Societies of Shaver believers sprung up all over the country. There was just one problem, Shaver's writings, coupled with Amazing editor Ray Palmer's over-indulgent editing and footnoting, resulted in the biggest hodge-podge of science fiction gobbledy-goop ever produced. You have simply never read anything quite like the long-winded ramblings of Richard S. Shaver. Sometimes deciphering single paragraphs pose a challenge for even the most stalwart of science fiction readers—not because of any high level of literary quality, but because of the sheer lunacy that Shaver injected into them. Accept the challenge if you dare. Shaver's underworlds await you... Contains the stories (originally published in Amazing Stories): "The Red Legion" (June 1947) "Proofs" (essay) (June 1947) "How to Use the Shaver Alphabet" (essay) (June 1947) "I Remember Lemuria!" (March 1945)

One can only wonder... Wanna have some fun? Go onto You Tube and search the words, "Shaver," "Mystery," "Palmer." If it's still available, a video will pop up that says "Shaver Mystery." In this video (from the 1970s) is a short interview with Richard S. Shaver's longtime editor, supporter, and friend, Raymond A. Palmer. In this amazing interview, Palmer talks of Shaver's deros, teros, and even UFOs, which he connects to the whole Shaver Mystery cycle. Even more amazing is that Palmer admits that Richard Shaver was actually in a catatonic state in a mental institution during the eight years Shaver claimed to be in the lost cavers of the underworld. However, like the good showman he always was, Palmer speculates that Shaver's mental state may not have really been catatonic after all. Perhaps there really was some actual mental connection between Shaver and the underworlds he so fervently claimed existed? Read on and decide for yourself in this latest book of Shaver tales. Contains the stories (originally published in Amazing Stories): "Thought Records of Lemuria" (June 1945) "The Masked World" (May 1946)