WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 02 / In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians cover

The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 02 / In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians

Chapter 1: Originally Published 1909
By Ambrose Bierce
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

American LiteratureEssays, Letters & SpeechesShort Stories

About This Book

A series of short narratives alternates between wartime experiences and civilian encounters, tracing moments of duty, fear, and conscience. The tales blend realistic scene-setting with sharp irony and dark humor, frequently ending in abrupt or paradoxical reversals. Many pieces emphasize psychological intensity—sudden decisions, moral dilemmas, and the role of chance—while others offer satirical or macabre sketches of social behavior. The collection shifts between lyrical description and terse, economical prose to examine violence, mortality, and human folly without offering neat moral resolutions.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 02

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 02

Author: Ambrose Bierce

Release date: August 30, 2004 [eBook #13334]
Most recently updated: October 28, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Carol David and PG Distributed Proofreaders

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COLLECTED WORKS OF AMBROSE BIERCE, VOLUME 02 ***

Originally Published 1909

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

Denied existence by the chief publishing houses of the country, this book owes itself to Mr. E. L. G. Steele, merchant, of this city. In attesting Mr. Steele's faith in his judgment and his friend, it will serve its author's main and best ambition.

A. B.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 4, 1891.

CONTENTS

A HORSEMAN IN THE SKY 15
AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE 27
CHICKAMAUGA 46
A SON OF THE GODS 58
ONE OF THE MISSING 71
KILLED AT RESACA 93
THE AFFAIR AT COULTER'S NOTCH 105
THE COUP DE GRÂCE 122
PARKER ADDERSON, PHILOSOPHER 133
AN AFFAIR OF OUTPOSTS 146
THE STORY OF A CONSCIENCE 165
ONE KIND OF OFFICER 178
ONE OFFICER, ONE MAN 197
GEORGE THURSTON 209
THE MOCKING-BIRD 218

 

CIVILIANS

THE MAN OUT OF THE NOSE 233
AN ADVENTURE AT BROWNVILLE 247
THE FAMOUS GILSON BEQUEST 266
THE APPLICANT 281
A WATCHER BY THE DEAD 290
THE MAN AND THE SNAKE 311
A HOLY TERROR 324
THE SUITABLE SURROUNDINGS 350
THE BOARDED WINDOW 364
A LADY FROM RED HORSE 373
THE EYES OF THE PANTHER 385

 

 

SOLDIERS