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In the Midst of Life; Tales of Soldiers and Civilians

Gelesen von David Wales

(4,629 Sterne; 35 Bewertungen)

These stories detail the lives of soldiers and civilians during the American Civil War. This is the 1909 edition. The 1909 edition omits six stories from the original 1891 edition; these six stories are added to this LibriVox recording (from an undated English edition). The 1891 edition is entitled In The Midst Of Life; Tales Of Soldiers And Civilians. The Wikipedia entry for the book uses the title Tales of Soldiers and Civilians.

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (June 24, 1842 – after December 26, 1913) was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist. Today, he is best known for his short story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and his satirical lexicon, The Devil's Dictionary. The sardonic view of human nature that informed his work – along with his vehemence as a critic, with his motto "nothing matters" – earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce." Despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, Bierce was known to encourage younger writers, including poet George Sterling and fiction writer W. C. Morrow. Bierce employed a distinctive style of writing, especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events. In 1913, Bierce traveled to Mexico to gain a first-hand perspective on that country's ongoing revolution. While traveling with rebel troops, the elderly writer disappeared without a trace. Since the book is a compilation of short stories, there is not an overarching plot. However, there are literary elements, or plot devices, that are shared throughout. Bierce's stories often begin mid-plot, with relevant details withheld until the end, where the dramatic resolution unfolds differently than expected, to a degree where most are considered twist endings. His characters were described by George Sterling as: "His heroes, or rather victims, are lonely men, passing to unpredictable dooms, and hearing, from inaccessible crypts of space, the voices of unseen malevolencies."... Bierce served as a union soldier during the Civil War and his experiences as a soldier served as an inspiration for his writing, particularly for the Soldiers section. In this way, Bierce's war treatments anticipate and parallel Ernest Hemingway's later arrival, whereas the civilian tales later influence horror writers. (Summary by Wikipedia and David Wales) (11 hr 11 min)

Chapters

The Suitable Surroundings

20:57

Read by David Wales

A Tough Tussle

23:13

Read by David Wales

An Inhabitant of Carcosa

12:28

Read by David Wales

The Middle Toe Of The Right Foot

24:57

Read by David Wales

Haita The Shepherd

16:09

Read by David Wales

A Horseman In The Sky

18:52

Read by David Wales

An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

28:56

Read by David Wales

Chickamauga

20:08

Read by David Wales

A Son Of The Gods

21:05

Read by David Wales

One Of The Missing

35:36

Read by David Wales

Killed At Resaca

18:10

Read by David Wales

The Affair At Coulter's Notch

24:43

Read by David Wales

The Coup De Grace

16:41

Read by David Wales

Parker Adderson, Philosopher

18:29

Read by David Wales

An Affair Of Outposts

28:00

Read by David Wales

The Story Of A Conscience

18:53

Read by David Wales

One Kind Of Officer

27:38

Read by David Wales

One Officer, One Man

18:36

Read by David Wales

George Thurston

14:39

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The Mocking-bird

18:52

Read by David Wales

The Man Out Of The Nose

22:17

Read by David Wales

An Adventure At Brownville

29:48

Read by David Wales

The Famous Gilson Bequest

23:59

Read by David Wales

The Applicant

14:27

Read by David Wales

A Watcher By The Dead

29:39

Read by David Wales

The Man And The Snake

19:59

Read by David Wales

A Holy Terror

40:54

Read by David Wales

The Boarded Window

14:35

Read by David Wales

A Lady From Red Horse

19:12

Read by David Wales

The Eyes Of The Panther

29:08

Read by David Wales

Bewertungen

gruesome fare, good and creepy

(5 Sterne)

Well written, quite well read. Perfect for commuting.

well read ghost stories

(5 Sterne)

this reader is fantastic! if you are in to ghost stories you will like it. i am not a fan of those dark subjects so i stopped after several stories. but they are enthralling if thats your kind of thing.

(5 Sterne)

I am really glad that I decided to listen to this book. It is very clever. Well worth the time needed to listen.

Great story and reader

(5 Sterne)

Some stories endings are mysterious to me. Interesting stories.

Treasure Trove

(5 Sterne)

What a find!! Great introduction adds to the enjoyment.