This collection of 12 classic short stories serves as a perfect introduction to John Steinbeck's work. Set in the Salinas Valley in California, where everyday people farm the land and strive to better themselves, these stories turn on many key themes that Steinbeck explored throughout his career: Included are such classics as <i>The Red Pony</i>, <i>The Murderer</i>, and <i>The Chrysanthemums</i>.