Showing results by author "Ambrose Bierce" in All Categories

"The Story of a Conscience" is a classic story by Ambrose Bierce, relating how soldiers are often closer to one another, on either side of a war, than to outsiders. This story probes the depths of complicated issues that come up during wartime, including loyalty, trust, and of course, conscience.

Ambrose Bierce's "One Kind of Officer" is a story of the heartache of orders given without discretion in the field. Like so many of his Civil War stories, it is a thoughtful look at the problems facing soldiers during wartime. An abuse of power leads to a needless death in this classic American tale.

Short story number fourfrom "The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce is a short fiction, "A Son of the Gods" a story for which the American Civil War furnished the dramatic setting. It is a masterpiece of power of description subtlety of touch, and literary finish. Why would a Lieut. ride a white horse in front of the enemy lines drawing their fire and admiration in an act of insanity or unparalleled heroism.

"Parker Addison, Philosopher" is short story number nine from the collected works of Ambrose Bierce volume 2. Three men die as one of them philosophizes about his pending execution.

Killed at Resaca, is a short story of the American Civil War by Ambrose Bierce. Bierce is a master of the surprise ending. This short story of bravery and betrayal is no exception. Ambrose Bierce was a veteran of the American Civil War, and like many veterans, anger simmers just below the surface. In this short story Bierce’s simmering anger comes out in a surprising way at the end of the story.

"The Coup de Grâce" a short story by Ambrose Bierce, himself a troubled veteran of the American Civil War, details a fictional situation, which may be based on some truth. An act so humane and yet so repugnant it would not be spoken of. War is unglamorous and ugly.

Ambrose Bierce is a wordsmith who paints with a marvelous portrait with words. This short story with its surprise ending draws you in like a month to the flame. The story itself is entertaining, but with a surprise ending one is drawn to rethinking the story, and re-reading again. The American Civil War where brother fought brother father fought son is well represented in this story. After the Civil War Pierce became a journalist in San Francisco, and was a prolific producer of short stories.

"Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him." This line was written by Ambrose Bierce in his short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. Death by execution has historically been ritualized, perhaps to absolve those accomplishing the execution from guilt or blame.

Ambrose Bierce, a veteran of the Civil War and writer of note, had a fascination with death and PTSD as a result of his war experience. "One of the Missing" follows Private Jerome Searing, an Army scout, as he goes behind enemy lines. In today's military, Searing would probably be in the Navy Seals or Army Special Forces. He was good at his job, and his job was soldiering.

A collection of seven of the finest short stories by noted American satirist and critic Ambrose Bierce. This audiobook contains nine of his best, including "A Wireless Message", "Present at a Hanging", "The Boarded Window", and his most famous work, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge".

Ambrose Bierce participated in one of the bloodiest wars in American history, and though he survived, the war haunted him the rest of his life. Today we have a name for the demon that haunts many of those "more fortunate" who survive: post-traumatic stress disorder. In World War I and World War II they called it shell-shocked. The battle of Chickamauga was surpassed in casualties only by the battle of Gettysburg.

Selections include "The Robber Bridegroom" by Washington Irving, "The Stolen White Elephant" by Mark Twain, "Chickamauga" by Ambrose Bierce, "The Mission of Jane" by Edith Wharton, and "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe.

Abandon yourself to the spell of six short stories filled with thrills and dark suspense. Here are tales by the masters of mystery and horror - A. Conan Doyle, Edgar Allan Poe, Saki, Oscar Wilde and Ambrose Bierce - taking on a new energy and force through performances by Recorded Books’ critically-acclaimed narrators. Ranging from dungeons to drawing rooms, and peopled with extraordinary ghouls and doomed dowagers, the tales are guaranteed to raise the hair on the back of your neck.

Here are eight stories from master American writers of the 19th century. They vary from sinister tales by Ambrose Bierce - why is that window boarded up? - and a reflective moment in the life of a woman without children, but forced to look after children, to classic short stories by O. Henry and Stephen Crane. There is even an elegiac description of an eclipse by James Fenimore Cooper, author of The Last of the Mohicans.

During the Civil War, a Southern civilian is about to be hanged for attempting to sabotage a railway bridge. When the execution is about to take place from the bridge, the rope breaks and he begins his escape toward home.... or does he?

Five great American short story writers, dating from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, are represented here. Different in atmosphere and writing style, they nevertheless caught the mood and concerns of the day in a way that was distinctly American.

A murderer is haunted by the specter of the dog whose master he killed. The wicked Staley calls for a doctor, hoping to cure himself of the disturbing visions, only to discover the hellish fate faced by all murderers.

Ambrose Bierce's short stories are generally held to be among the best of the 19th century. He wrote realistically of the terrible things he had seen in the war in such stories as An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge ( also available from Audible ) and Chickamauga. In Chickamauga, he gives a vivid description, through the eyes of a child, of the aftermath of a Civil War battle. The reason for the child's unusual reaction to the scene is revealed in a startling conclusion.

During the American Civil War, a man stands on a railroad bridge about to be hanged. At the last minute, the rope breaks - or does it? This much-anthologized short story was adapted into one of the most popular episodes of The Twilight Zone.

A sentry falls asleep at his post, leading to dire consequences. This is a classic tale about the terrible cost of the Civil War, which divided entire families.