Ambrose Bierce

This classic short story of a Southern plantation owner facing execution by Union soldiers is "a flawless example of American genius" (Kurt Vonnegut). Alabama planter Peyton Farquhar was loyal to the Confederate cause. Now, as the Union Army overtakes the South, he is brought to the edge of a railroad bridge-hands tied behind his back-sentenced to hang for attempting to burn down the bridge on which he stands. As he ponders the events both large...

This engrossing tale presents as its central theme the ultimately unknowable – and untameable – essence of nature and the natural world. Told from several different perspectives, the story focuses on a freak fatal accident that is written off as a wild animal attack. But does that description get at the truth of the matter? At least one witness is convinced otherwise. A story of the paranormal that was once loosely adapted for an episode of the...

Amusing and thought-provoking, this A-to-Z compendium outlines common oral and written gaffes. Ambrose Bierce, a celebrated literary wit, assembled his informative compilation in 1909 from many years of observations and notes. He advocates precision in language, offering alternatives to grammatical lapses and inaccurate word choices. Moneyed for Wealthy: "The moneyed men of New York." One might as sensibly say, "The cattled men of Texas," or, "The...

American journalist and satirist Ambrose Bierce is one of the most famous and fascinating figures in all of American literature. He led an adventurous and eventful life, beginning with his birth in a log cabin, to his time as a Civil War soldier, and followed by his career as an author and journalist, to finally his mysterious disappearance during the Mexican Revolution at age 71. Bierce is perhaps best known for his short stories about the American...

A collection of essays, stories, poems and reflections, previously printed in American journals. Bierce has created a snapshot of journalism in the United States that is full of wit, gloom and everything in between.

A wonderful example of the macabre and surreal mind of Ambrose Bierce.

A terrifying tale of a bet made among friends involving a dead body and how things go horribly wrong.

What I Saw at Shiloh by Ambrose Bierce, narrated by Mike Vendetti. The audiobook is a first-hand account of the Battle of Shiloh, one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. Bierce, who was a soldier in the Union Army, was present at the battle and provides a vivid and often harrowing account of the fighting. Vendetti's narration is excellent. He brings Bierce's words to life with his clear and expressive voice. He also does a good job...

The moral stories are at their best told by Ambrose Bierce in his book Cobwebs from an Empty Skull. The book is divided into three sections: "Fables of Zambri, the Parsee," an assortment of over 100 fables; "Brief Seasons of Intellectual Dissipation," discussions between a fool and a philosopher, a doctor and a soldier, respectively; and "Divers Tales," 28 different stories of an eclectic nature, including The Grateful Bear, Dr. Deadwood, I Presume,...

Ambrose Bierce enlisted in the Union Army at the outbreak of the American Civil War and fought with distinction for 4 years, even earning recognition of his bravery in the newspapers of the day for a daring rescue attempt of gravely wounded comrade. His wartime experiences greatly effected his later writing. Here is a collection of the short stories Bierce penned on the topic of war, death, loss and betrayal.