Newspaperman, short-story writer, poet and satirist, Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) is one of the most striking and unusual literary figures America has produced. Dubbed "Bitter Bierce" for his vitriolic wit and biting satire, his fame rests largely on a celebrated compilation of barbed epigrams, "The Devil's Dictionary," and a book of short stories ( "Tales of Soldiers and Civilians," 1891). Most of the 16 selections in this volume have been taken from the latter collection.