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 7

02 - Speed by Sinclair Lewis

03 - The Golden Honeymoon by Ring Lardner

04 - The Hoodoo by Martha Gruening

05 - The Tattooed Leg by John Chilton

06 - The Rats in the Walls by H P Lovecraft

07 - In No Strange Land by Katharine Butler

08 - Here We Are by Dorothy Parker

09 - The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell

10 - Bernice Bobs Her Hair by F Scott Fitzgerald

11 - The City of Refuge by Rudolph Fisher

12 - A Cullenden of Virginia by Thomas Wolfe

13 - The Grist in the Mill by Wallace Thurman

14 - The Moaning Lily by Emma Vane

15 - Skulls in the Stars by Robert E Howard

16 - Why I Live At The PO - Eudora Welty