 First edition title page | |
| Author | Ambrose Bierce |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | E.L.G. Steele |
Publication date | Stated publication date 1891; actual publication date probably early 1892[1] |
| Publication place | United States |
Published in English | 1892 |
Tales of Soldiers and Civilians is a collection of short stories by American Civil War soldier, wit, and writer Ambrose Bierce, also published under the title In the Midst of Life. With a stated publication date of 1891 (but actually published in early 1892[1]) the stories describe unusual incidents in the lives of soldiers and civilians during the American Civil War. Tales of Soldiers and Civilians was named by the Grolier Club as one of the 100 most influential American books printed before 1900, stating "These short stories are among the finest, and best known, in American literature. ... Written in a clear simple style, with each phrase contributing to the total effect, Bierce's tales pointed the way for the American short-story writer."[2] Bierce's famous story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is included in this collection.
- ^ a b Joshi, S.T. and Schultz, David E. Ambrose Bierce: An Annotated Bibliography of Primary Sources. Westport, CT & London, Greenwood Press, 1999, pp. 20–21.
- ^ Adams, Frederick B.; Winterich, John T.; Johnson, Thomas H.; and McKay, George L. One Hundred Influential American Books Printed Before 1900: Catalogue and Addresses. New York: The Grolier Club, 1947, p. 124.