I think I would put Stephen King up there because I've loved most everything I've read from him.
I was thinking of King, too. He's the 20th century's answer to Edgar Allan Poe.
I was thinking King as well. Didn't know if he was to "modern". LOL
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
