This is the first biography I have read about Poe (of which there are plenty). I learned quite a few things about both his life and his writing/career. 

The biggest issue I had with this book is the structure. The chapters alternate between examining the last few days of Poe's life/his death and an overall biography of his life. Initially this worked. However, as the book progressed, it was difficult to keep track of certain things and, in a lot of ways, it felt repetitive. I think I would have preferred two parts - his biography and then an exploration of his death.