A collection of short-stories

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

12732

Title

A collection of short-stories

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This curated anthology presents a selection of the greatest short stories ever written, chosen specifically for their educational value to high school students. Edited by L.A. Pittenger, the collection features masterpieces by legendary authors including Edgar Allan Poe, Rudyard Kipling, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Each story is accompanied by author biographies, critical analysis, and collateral readings to facilitate classroom study and deepen literary appreciation.

Summary up to 500 words

Edited by L.A. Pittenger and published in 1914, *A Collection of Short-Stories* assembles a definitive anthology of narratives proven most beneficial to high school students. Rather than claiming to list the ten best stories ever written, the volume presents selections that have stood the test of actual classroom use. The collection explores profound themes including mortality, moral ambiguity, cultural clashes, and the human condition through the diverse voices of literary giants such as Edgar Allan Poe, Rudyard Kipling, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Guy de Maupassant. The anthology features Poe's chilling *The Fall of the House of Usher* and his thrilling adventure *The Gold-Bug*, both of which delve into mystery and the supernatural. Hawthorne's *The Birthmark* offers a psychological drama examining the dangers of perfectionism and the inescapable nature of human flaws, symbolized by a crimson hand that represents mortality. Kipling's *The Man Who Was* highlights the complexities of cultural identity and military camaraderie, depicting a Russian officer navigating life in India amidst British forces. Stevenson's *The Sire de Malétraît's Door* and *Markheim* provide thrilling adventures and deep moral introspection, respectively, while Maupassant's *The Piece of String* and Stockton's *The Griffin and the Minor Canon* add further layers of wit and narrative complexity. Beyond the stories themselves, the book serves as a comprehensive literary reference and teaching tool. It includes an introduction detailing the history, qualities, and composition of the short story, alongside brief biographies and critical insights for each author. These elements are designed to illuminate the enduring significance of these classic narratives and assist educators in building a systematic library for their classes. The volume is further enriched by collateral readings and notes that explain historical context, clarify difficult terms, and suggest additional works for study, ensuring that the collection remains a valuable resource for understanding the evolution and power of the short story form.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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data/epubs/pg12732.epub

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2026-08-14 03:11 UTC

Categories

• Short Stories