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American journalist, short story writer, and poet, Ambrose Bierce is best known for his formidably vicious wit - given free rein in his famous column, "The Prattler." But his stories were elegantly crafted, with a compelling blend of realistic detail, clever plot twists, and his own sardonic humor. These 8 macabre stories, read here by Mark Hammer, establish Bierce as a master of the genre.

"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.

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?

Ambrose Bierce left behind a nasty reputation and more than 90 short stories that are perfect expressions of his sardonic genius. This volume of selected stories represent an unprecedented accomplishment in American literature. In their iconoclasm and needle-sharp irony, their formal and thematic ingenuity and element of surprise, they differ markedly from the fiction admired in Bierce's time.

Ambrose Bierce’s haunting short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is a gripping tale of suspense and psychological depth. Set during the American Civil War, it follows the fate of Peyton Farquhar, a Confederate sympathizer who is condemned to hang at Owl Creek Bridge. As the noose tightens, Farquhar experiences a vivid dream of escape, leading to a startling and unforgettable conclusion.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) was an American author and Civil War veteran. "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is a short story set during the American Civil War and is considered Bierce's finest work.

There is a bridge at Owl Creek that is surrounded by dry and cracking driftwood. Burning the bridge would be the perfect way for a civilian Southerner to strike a blow against the Union Army. But Peyton Farkuar doesn't make it that far and instead finds a rope around his neck.

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce is a gripping short story that masterfully blends psychological suspense with the brutal realities of war. Set during the American Civil War, the narrative follows Peyton Farquhar, a Southern planter condemned to hang from a railroad bridge for attempting to sabotage Union forces. As the noose tightens, Farquhar experiences a vivid and surreal escape that blurs the line between illusion and reality.

Ambrose Bierce was a man of conviction. From Civil War hero through political and religious activist to author and journalist, he was friends with the likes of William Hurst and Jack London. His death remains a mystery, of his own making, while his writing is held in the highest regard. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is one of his more notable stories, with Kut Vonnegut writing in 2005, "I consider anybody a twerp who hasn't read the greatest American short story, which is an occurrence..."

The short story, "An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving" by Louisa May Alcott first appeared in the collection Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag. Set in New Hampshire in the 1800s, it is a simple, yet charming story of a family Thanksgiving in an earlier, more innocent time. When their parents are called away to visit a sick relative, the girls try to put together a Thanksgiving dinner all on their own. Of course a few things go wrong, as this is the first time the children cook such a big dinner, but ultimately, all turns out well, and there’s much to be thankful for.

“Fascinating . . . a serious, wide-ranging study of all the magical, mystical, and spiritual movements that have arisen and influenced American history in often-surprising ways.”—Ron Charles, The Washington Post Book World “A treasure trove.”—HuffPost From its inception...

A man convicted of being a saboteur for the Confederacy during the American Civil War stands on Owl Creek Bridge with a noose around his neck. As the procedures for his hanging are carried out, he seizes an opportunity to escape. ~~~ Companion SonicMovie, premium Audio Drama, available on Amazon ~~~ This ANNOTATED work contains: • Story Description • Forward • The Story (Unabridged) • Notes • Author’s Bio ~~~ Companion SonicMovie, premium Audio Drama, available on Amazon ~~~

A man stands on Owl Creek Bridge with his hands tied, preparing to face death by hanging. Then the ground slips out from under him, the rope breaks, and he has a moment to reimagine his future. Praised for its experimental shifts in time and surprise ending, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is not one to miss. It has been hailed by Kurt Vonnegut as “the greatest American short story.”

In An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Ambrose Bierce spins a gripping tale of psychological tension and the brutal realities of war. Set during the American Civil War, the story follows Peyton Farquhar, a Southern plantation owner who is sentenced to death by hanging for attempting to sabotage a Union railroad bridge. As Farquhar faces his imminent demise, Bierce masterfully plays with the boundaries of time and perception, drawing readers into a haunting exploration of life, death, and the mind's final moments.

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was born on 24th June 1842 at Horse Cave Creek in Meigs County, Ohio. His parents were poor but they introduced him to literature at an early age, instilling in him a deep appreciation of books, the written word and the elegance of language. In 1891 Bierce wrote and published the collection of 26 short stories which included ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’. Success and further works including poetry followed.

Famous for its irregular time sequence and twist ending, this is Bierce's most anthologized story.

This is a story from the Classic American Short Stories collection.

The time is the American Civil War: Southern plantation-owner Peyton Farquahr has been condemned to death for spying against the Union cause. As he prepares to be hanged from the Owl Creek Bridge, Farquahr morosely contemplates his fate and fondly recalls his loving wife.

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.

Set during the American Civil War, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is the classic short story of Peyton Farquhar, a Confederate sympathizer condemned to death by hanging from Owl Creek Bridge. Flashing between the present and the past - from Peyton's thoughts as he stands on the bridge to his memories as a major Confederate supporter in the South - he creates parallel realities in which truth and fantasy become indistinguishable.