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 2

02 - An Angel in Disguise by T S Arthur

03 - Conversation on Conversation by Harriet Beecher Stowe

04 - Aunt Hetty on Matrimony by Fanny Fern, the writing pseudonym for Sarah Payton Parton

05 - Bartleby the Scrivener - Part 1 by Herman Melville

06 - Bartleby the Scrivener - Part 2 by Herman Melville

07 - The Peterkins Decide to Learn the Languages by Lucretia Peabody Hale

08 - The Man Without a Country by Edward Everett Hale

09 - Two Offers by Frances Watkins Harper

10 - How I Killed a Bear by Charles Dudley Warner

11 - The Shipwrecked Crew by Rebecca Harding Davies

12 - The Brothers by Louisa May Alcott

13 - The Lady, or the Tiger by Frank Stockton

14 - Carnivorine by Lucy Hamilton Hooper