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 4

02 - The Screaming Skull by F Marion Crawford

03 - When the Devil Was Well by Gertrude Atherton.wav

04 - The Wife of His Youth by Charles W Chesnutt NORMAL

05 - How the Widow Won the Deacon by William James Lampton

06 - Talma Gordon by Pauline E Hopkins

07 - The Perfect Ttribute by Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews

08 - The Yellow Wall Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

09 - A Responsibility by Henry Harland

10 - Aunt Lindy. A Story Founded on Real Life by Victoria Earle Matthews

11 - The Shape of Fear by Elia W Peattie

12 - Souls Belated by Edith Wharton

13 - The Idiot's Journalism Scheme by John Kendrick Bangs

14 - The Last Leaf by O Henry

15 - The Mysterious Card by Cleveland Moffet