localtime can't handle epochs less than 0

[simran]

Hi All, 

When i use the 'localtime' function in perl 5.6.1 if i pass it an epoch
time of less than 0 then i always get the date of:

  * "Wed Dec 31 19:00:00 1969"

Is there a method someone knows of (other function, cpan module?,
anything) that will let me convert epochs of less than 0 to valid
date/time strings?

I am using Date::Parse::str2time and that produces epochs of less than
zero. 

thanks,

simran.