The Letters of Ambrose Bierce With a Memoir by George Sterling By: Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?)
The Letters of Ambrose Bierce With a Memoir by George Sterling is an exceptional collection that offers readers an intimate glimpse into the mind of one of the most enigmatic and influential American writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ambrose Bierce's letters, collected and edited by his friend and fellow writer George Sterling, provide a riveting narrative of Bierce's life, thoughts, and literary pursuits. One of the most striking aspects of this collection is the way it showcases Bierce's wit, sharp intellect, and unique writing style. Whether he is discussing his personal experiences, sharing his philosophical musings, or offering candid critiques of contemporary society, Bierce's letters are filled with his trademark acerbic humor and incisive observations. His prose is smart, concise, and often laced with a hint of cynicism, revealing a man who never shies away from expressing his unfiltered thoughts. The inclusion of a memoir by George Sterling adds significant depth to the collection. Sterling, a close friend and admirer of Bierce, provides valuable context and sheds light on the personal and professional experiences that shaped Bierce's life and literary career. His memoir is both a poignant tribute to their friendship and a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of Bierce's personality. Furthermore, the letters themselves are arranged in a chronological order, allowing readers to witness the evolution of Bierce's thoughts and beliefs over time. From his early years as a struggling writer to his experiences as a Civil War veteran and his later role as a renowned journalist, Bierce's letters provide a fascinating journey through the various stages of his life. The collection also offers insights into Bierce's writing process and the challenges he faced as an author, making it an invaluable resource for aspiring writers. However, one aspect where this collection may fall short is the lack of context provided for some of the letters. While Sterling's memoir does offer important background information, there are instances where readers might feel the need for further explanation or additional historical context. Nonetheless, this minor drawback does not diminish the overall strength and appeal of the collection. In conclusion, The Letters of Ambrose Bierce With a Memoir by George Sterling is an illuminating and captivating collection that offers readers an intimate look into the life and mind of one of America's most influential literary figures. Bierce's letters are a testament to his brilliance as a writer, while Sterling's memoir adds depth and context to the narrative. This collection is a must-read for fans of Bierce's work, as well as anyone interested in American literature and the complexities of a remarkable writer's life. First Page: Transcriber's Note: The two introductory sections, "The Introduction," and "A Memoir of Ambrose Bierce," were originally printed in italics with non italicized text used for emphasis. This convention has been reversed for ease of reading the e text. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation in the original document have been preserved. The Letters of Ambrose Bierce [Illustration] The Letters of Ambrose Bierce EDITED BY BERTHA CLARK POPE WITH A MEMOIR BY GEORGE STERLING [Illustration] SAN FRANCISCO THE BOOK CLUB OF CALIFORNIA 1922 In reproducing these letters we have followed as nearly as possible the original manuscripts. This inevitably has caused a certain lack of uniformity throughout the volume, as in the case of the names of magazines and newspapers, which are sometimes italicized and sometimes in quotation marks. THE EDITOR. COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY THE CALIFORNIA BOOK CLUB The Introduction by BERTHA CLARK POPE "The question that starts to the lips of ninety nine readers out of a hundred," says Arnold Bennett, in a review in the London NEW AGE in 1909, "even the best informed, will assuredly be: 'Who is Ambrose Bierce?' I scarcely know, but I will say that among what I may term 'underground reputations' that of Ambrose Bierce is perhaps the most striking example... Continue reading book >>

The Letters of Ambrose Bierce With a Memoir by George Sterling By: Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?)

The Letters of Ambrose Bierce With a Memoir by George Sterling is an exceptional collection that offers readers an intimate glimpse into the mind of one of the most enigmatic and influential American writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ambrose Bierce's letters, collected and edited by his friend and fellow writer George Sterling, provide a riveting narrative of Bierce's life, thoughts, and literary pursuits.

One of the most striking aspects of this collection is the way it showcases Bierce's wit, sharp intellect, and unique writing style. Whether he is discussing his personal experiences, sharing his philosophical musings, or offering candid critiques of contemporary society, Bierce's letters are filled with his trademark acerbic humor and incisive observations. His prose is smart, concise, and often laced with a hint of cynicism, revealing a man who never shies away from expressing his unfiltered thoughts.

The inclusion of a memoir by George Sterling adds significant depth to the collection. Sterling, a close friend and admirer of Bierce, provides valuable context and sheds light on the personal and professional experiences that shaped Bierce's life and literary career. His memoir is both a poignant tribute to their friendship and a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of Bierce's personality.

Furthermore, the letters themselves are arranged in a chronological order, allowing readers to witness the evolution of Bierce's thoughts and beliefs over time. From his early years as a struggling writer to his experiences as a Civil War veteran and his later role as a renowned journalist, Bierce's letters provide a fascinating journey through the various stages of his life. The collection also offers insights into Bierce's writing process and the challenges he faced as an author, making it an invaluable resource for aspiring writers.

However, one aspect where this collection may fall short is the lack of context provided for some of the letters. While Sterling's memoir does offer important background information, there are instances where readers might feel the need for further explanation or additional historical context. Nonetheless, this minor drawback does not diminish the overall strength and appeal of the collection.

In conclusion, The Letters of Ambrose Bierce With a Memoir by George Sterling is an illuminating and captivating collection that offers readers an intimate look into the life and mind of one of America's most influential literary figures. Bierce's letters are a testament to his brilliance as a writer, while Sterling's memoir adds depth and context to the narrative. This collection is a must-read for fans of Bierce's work, as well as anyone interested in American literature and the complexities of a remarkable writer's life.

First Page:

Transcriber's Note:

The two introductory sections, "The Introduction," and "A Memoir of Ambrose Bierce," were originally printed in italics with non italicized text used for emphasis. This convention has been reversed for ease of reading the e text.

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation in the original document have been preserved.

The Letters of Ambrose Bierce

[Illustration]

The Letters of Ambrose Bierce

EDITED BY BERTHA CLARK POPE

WITH A MEMOIR BY GEORGE STERLING

[Illustration]

SAN FRANCISCO THE BOOK CLUB OF CALIFORNIA 1922

In reproducing these letters we have followed as nearly as possible the original manuscripts. This inevitably has caused a certain lack of uniformity throughout the volume, as in the case of the names of magazines and newspapers, which are sometimes italicized and sometimes in quotation marks. THE EDITOR.

The Introduction

by BERTHA CLARK POPE

"The question that starts to the lips of ninety nine readers out of a hundred," says Arnold Bennett, in a review in the London NEW AGE in 1909, "even the best informed, will assuredly be: 'Who is Ambrose Bierce?' I scarcely know, but I will say that among what I may term 'underground reputations' that of Ambrose Bierce is perhaps the most striking example... Continue reading book >>

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Wikipedia – Ambrose Bierce
Wikipedia – The Letters of Ambrose Bierce With a Memoir by George Sterling

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