Ambrose Bierce was an American journalist and satirist, known for his sardonic view of human nature and his scathing critiques. His distinctive writing style, often embracing abrupt beginnings, dark imagery, and themes of war, left an indelible mark on American literature. Despite his reputation as "Bitter Bierce," he was known to encourage younger writers, and his works continue to resonate with readers for their sharp wit and unique perspective.
Exploring the depths of psychological and supernatural horror, this collection features Ambrose Bierce's most impactful stories. With a keen understanding of fear, he delves into themes such as the dread of death, encounters with wild animals, and the cruelty of humanity. Notable tales include "A Watcher by the Dead," "The Man and the Snake," and "A Holy Terror," each showcasing Bierce's ability to evoke terror and provoke thought about the darker aspects of human nature.
A2 to B1 Level
Pre-intermediate Level
Grades 7-8 / 1,400 words
Peyton Farquhar attempts to destroy Owl Creek Bridge to prevent Northern troops from crossing. He is sentenced to hang, but the noose breaks, and he falls into the water...
Focusing on supernatural horror, this collection features Ambrose Bierce's nearly complete array of chilling tales. The stories delve into the eerie and the uncanny, showcasing Bierce's masterful ability to evoke fear and intrigue through his unique narrative style. Each tale explores themes of the unknown and the macabre, making this anthology a significant contribution to the genre of horror literature.
In "The Fiend's Delight," Dod Grile presents a collection of diabolic stories drawn from Californian journals. The book explores dark themes and powerful messages, showcasing creative narratives that evoke strength and provoke thought. A classic work that invites readers to confront the unusual and the extraordinary.
Featuring a collection of ghost stories, this classical work has been preserved for modern readers through careful reformatting and retyping. Each tale delves into eerie themes, maintaining its significance over a century. Alpha Editions aims to keep these stories alive for both present and future generations, ensuring clarity and readability without relying on scanned copies of the original text.
Humor and horror intertwine in a bleak portrayal of war, emphasizing themes of violence, isolation, and impending madness. The stories showcase a macabre tone, yet the author's satirical prose adds a layer of levity, creating a unique balance between the grim realities of conflict and moments of dark humor.
Newspaperman, short-story writer, poet, and satirist, Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914) is one of the most striking and unusual literary figures America has produced. Dubbed "Bitter Bierce" for his vitriolic wit and biting satire, his fame rests largely on a celebrated compilation of barbed epigrams, The Devil's Dictionary, and a book of short stories (Tales of Soldiers and Civilians, 1891). Most of the 16 selections in this volume have been taken from the latter collection.The stories in this edition include: "What I Saw at Shiloh," "A Son of the Gods," "Four Days in Dixie," "One of the Missing," "A Horseman in the Sky," "The Coup de Grace," "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," "The Story of Conscience," "One Kind of Officer," "Chickamauga," and five more.Bierce's stories employ a buildup of suggestive realistic detail to produce grim and vivid tales often disturbing in their mood of fatalism and impending calamity. Hauntingly suggestive, they offer excellent examples of the author's dark pessimism and storytelling power.--back coverContents:1 What I Saw of Shiloh2 Four Days in Dixie3 A Horseman in the Sky4 An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge5 Chickamauga6 A Son of the Gods7 One of the Missing8 Killed at Resaca9 The Affair at Coulter's Notch10 The Coup de Grâce11 Parker Adderson, Philosopher12 An Affair of Outposts13 The Story of a Conscience14 One Kind of Officer15 George Thurston16 The Mocking-bird
Ambrose Bierce's life was marked by adventure, from his humble beginnings in a log cabin to his experiences as a Civil War soldier and a celebrated journalist. Known for his impactful short stories, particularly "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," he masterfully blends irony and surprise, influencing notable authors like Hemingway and Lovecraft. This collection showcases his storytelling prowess and includes a range of his works, all printed on premium acid-free paper, reflecting his legacy in American literature.
The Devil's Dictionary was begun in a weekly paper in 1881. In this book, Ambrose Bierce skewers far more the world of politics, but it is the political realm where Bierce's observations are astonishingly and depressingly relevant a century later
