The American literary tradition has, in a far shorter span of time than others throughout history, achieved a glowing and glittering reputation. From its transatlantic roots it has absorbed the sons and daughters of other cultures, other lands and made them part of her own. America prides itself on liberty, on justice for all and, if you are a wealthy white man, that is essentially true. Sadly, many other segments of society find it difficult to feel or become part of this endeavour. Within this chronological history of the American short story, that prejudice has helped shape the borders of those two endless questions about any anthology. Why that story? Why that author? We made some hard choices.

Within this melting pot of styles, genres and wordplay one fact stands out: The American short story Literary tradition has a strong, vibrant and almost inclusive history, if you know where to look. Which is here.

01 - The American Short Story - A Chronological History - An Introduction - Volume 1

02 - The Black Vampyre by Uriah Derick D'Arcy

03 - The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving

04 - Peter Rugg, The Missing Man - Part 1 by William Austin

05 - Peter Rugg, The Missing Man - Part 2 by William Austin

06 - The Eclipse by James Fenimore Cooper

07 - The Quadroons by Lydia Maria Child

08 - Rappaccini's Daughter - Part 1 by Nathaniel Hawthorne

09 - Rappaccini's Daughter - Part 2 by Nathaniel Hawthorne

10 - Miss Albina McLush by Nathaniel Parker Willis

11 - The Fall of the House of Usher Part 1 by Edgar Allan Poe

12 - The Fall of the House of Usher Part 2 by Edgar Allan Poe