1896-1928 (collected 1994) / Ebook / 30 pages / UK
***
I don't know why Tartarus' reprint of the old Arkham House collection only got as far as the second story. Maybe they had trouble tracking down some of the others like I did. The first one's more interesting for its sci-fi ponderings and faux-antiquated language on the right side of the centennial to be acceptable.
Various, Dimension X1950-67 (collected 1970) / Audiobook/ebook / 351 pages / USA/UK
**
Five novellas, seemingly chosen for length rather than theme or quality, from what history judges to be a mixed bag of prominent and obscure writers. Some consistency or some kind of point would have been nice.
Fave: Robert A. Heinlein's 'The Man Who Sold the Moon'
2009 / Ebook / 124 pages / USA
***
A nice counterpart to the Celine Dion book in the series, this reclaims the dead artist's album from semiautobiographical gossip by obsessing all over it as a piece of art. I'd love for this level of attention to be lavished on an album I actually care about.
2016 / Ebook / 35 pages / Canada
**
More a chapter than a book, and not so much 'untold' as widely published in the readily available reference works summarised. The observation of how the world changed around and influenced the series during its run was the only worthwhile contribution. The synopsis reads like a child's book report.
Various, The X-Files: Secret Agendas
***
Probably the best or at least most consistent of these anthologies, alternating light and dark entries, tastefully incorporating more mythology elements and with better characterisation, especially for Scully. Titles like 'Perithecia,' 'Stryzga' and 'Kanashibari' are as authentically X-Files as the time stamps.
Fave: Jade Shames' 'Give Up the Ghost'
