Ambrose Bierce (1842–c.1914) was an American writer, journalist, and satirist known for his mordant wit and dark humor. Born in Meigs County, Ohio, he served in the Union Army during the Civil War, experiences that deeply influenced his later works. After the war, Bierce moved to San Francisco, where he became a prominent figure in literary circles. He contributed to newspapers and magazines with his sharp, often cynical prose. Bierce is best known for his short story collection "Tales of Soldiers and Civilians," particularly the story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," and his satirical dictionary, "The Devil's Dictionary." His later years were marked by travel to England and Mexico; his disappearance in Mexico around 1913 or 1914 remains one of literature's most famous mysteries. Bierce's legacy includes his contributions to the genres of horror and fantasy and his critical view of human nature.

Frank Marcopolos lives in Florida with his dog, Sparky.

The stories included here are: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge; The Damned Thing; Staley Fleming's Hallucination; Parker Adderson, Philosopher; The Boarded Window; An Inhabitant of Carcosa; My Favorite Murder; The Middle Toe of the Right Foot; The Death of Halpin Frayser; One Summer Night; The Moonlit Road; A Psychological Shipwreck; Beyond the Wall; The Man and the Snake; and, A Bottomless Grave.