The American Short Story: Volume 1

An exciting perspective on outstanding American writing in two media--print and film The stories collected here were chosen for adaptation and inclusion in a series of films sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, bringing together the works of America's master writers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. "Parker Adderson, Philosopher" by Ambrose Bierce A wry, wisecracking Civil War spy is awaiting execution, but his last interrogation by a Confederate general leads to events neither could foresee. Ambrose Bierce uses his favorite device of "reversal of character" to create this natural vehicle for a haunting film about physical and spiritual violence. "Berenice Bobs Her Hair" by F. Scott Fitzgerald Advice on how to become popular with young men backfires for two young women in a story written in the Jazz Age, but is immediately familiar as a right-on-target study of modern flirting, dating, and relationships. "Almos' a Man" by Richard Wright When David, a black farm laborer of seventeen, is ridiculed because he wants to be treated like a man, he decides that owning a gun will gain him the respect he seeks in this deeply moving story by one of America's greatest writers. And six more superb stories by Sherwood Anderson, Stephen Crane, Ernest Hemingway, Henry James, Flannery O'Connor, and John Updike, presented with their award-winning film adaptations… (more)