Product Description
This book is a collection, an assembly, gathered from many sources of the most intimate and significant of the O. Henry memoirs.They will give a glimpse of the little known life of Sydney Porter, and the alphabetical index will be a convenient guide to his works.

The authoritative "O. Henry Biography," by Professor C. Alphonso Smith of the United States Naval Academy was published in 1916.Many years earlier the plans for this book were laid by Harry Peyton Steger, a friend of Sydney Porter's who visited, in 1912, every haunt of O. Henry in the South and brought to light a quantity of the dijecta membra of O. Henry's early literary efforts.These were later collected in the volume called Rolling Stones.

Steger's faith in the ultimate position which O. Henry would occupy in American literature was of the type which moves mountains.He was an indefatigable worker for the spread of O. Henry's fame after he died, and probably did more than any other individual to lay the foundations of O. Henry's popularity.

The article by George MacAdam, O. Henry's only interviewer, is new material, now printed in full for the first time.

The sketches by Arthur Page and Richard Duffy are reprinted from The Bookman. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

an excellent collection!
This is a really first-rate collection, including outstanding experimental pieces by Donald Barthelme and Bernard Malamud.

the o henrys are better than this
William Abrahams says in his introduction: "the twenty-three stories collected here are not offered as a further refining or pruining into a kond of 'best of the best'" and "it would not have been difficult to compile an alternative and equally impressive talbe of contents from among the 165 other O.Henry Award stores of the decade" and after reading the stories collected here, Abrahams is right. these stories are not the best of the best and it would have been easy to compile a better group of stories. Most of the twenty-three stories here are bad or mediocre, only eight of them were really good, and it isn't surprising to find out which eight. Joyce Carol Oates, "The Dead"; John Cheever "The Jewels of the Cabots"; James Alan McPherson, "The Faithful"; Raymond Carver "Are You a Doctor?" (though there are better Carver stories, this one seems to be a little ambiguous); Tim O'Brien, "Night March"; John Updike, "Separating"; Woody Allen, "The Kugelmass Episode"; and John Sayles "I-80 Nebraska, M.490-M.205", which was my favorite of the book. No, this wasn't a best of from the 70s, and I know the O. Henry Awards are better than this sampling. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The best part of this is the history
"O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1946" Selected and edited by Herschel Brickell, Ó 1946

This quite the set of stories.The best part of this is the history.Every so often you can see the impact of the recent war and the social customs of the age.The most memorable story for me was `Sex Education.'The story does not do much, but the character of the aunt describes the growth and memory of an incident of her youth.The first time she describes it, she mentions how it affected her and a solution that she has concluded would have made it different, less traumatic.The second time, she again describes it, but this time she realizes how childish she acted and she could have avoided the resulting events.The last time, she describes the event and how sad it was for the other one involved.A definite growth and development of character.
Other stories involved soldiers, hospitals, Jewish people, etc.One, by Dorothy McCleary, seems to be a lesbian story, odd for the year.There are stories by Truman Capote and Eudora Welty as well.

`Bird Song' by John Mayo Goss is a sort of sad story of a mentally ill fellow who is allowed to go for a with his wife.It is interesting to read of Mr. Goss imagines (?does he have experience otherwise?) the inner workings of crazy people.
`The Innocent Bystander' by Maraaret Shedd is placed in some backwater colonial island run by a medical officer, "and in the absence of the District Commissioner, acting in that capacity too."There has been an epidemic the doctor has been trying to control by killing all the dogs.Mr. Allenby, by accident, is visiting the island with his dog, a wonderful dog, who becomes the innocent bystander.
`Sometimes You Break Even' by Victor Ullman is about a hospital in India for wounded servicemen.It is understaffed and undersupplied, then a hurricane hits.
`Waves of Darkness' by Cord Meyer, Jr., a war story.A couple of GI's are holed up in a foxhole on an island in the Pacific, dead people all around them, remembering their friends being killed earlier in the day, now they have to survive the night and get some sleep.
`The Imaginary Jew' by John Berryman started out reminding me of my time in college.I was the same as the narrator of this story: I had to be told who was Jewish and, it seemed, that others knew, just like in the story!But the aim of the story was an argument the narrator has with another about the narrator's Jewishness or non-Jewishness.Basically, how do you prove your identity with nothing but yourself and your history?
`Winter Night' by Kay Boyle tells of another babysitter coming to stay with a seven year old girl until the little girl's mother gets home.Accidentally, the little girl reminds this babysitter of another girl in a camp the babysitter was kept in for some time.The babysitter tells the story of the little girl in the camp to her new charge and they fall asleep in each others arms.When the mother comes home, you feel that she realizes the devotion her child is missing from her.
`Request for Sherwood Anderson' by Frank Brookhauser.A soldier in Nancy, France reminisces about a girl he met once.Sherwood Andersonwould have been able to write about her as she deserved.
`Sex Education' by Dorothy Canfield is the story I mentioned above.
`Miriam' by Truman Capote seems to be about a widow who is losing her sanity. Miriam is a little ten year old girl, very grown up, sort of, but also very childish, who comes into the widow's life and turns it upside down.When the widow insists the girl leave her alone, refuses and keeps on being a part of the widow's life.A very odd, almost fantasy type story.
`I Forgot Where Were I Was' by Elizabeth Enright is a story of introduction to Southern culture and society for a little six (6) year old colored girl.Her Mother and her are riding the train south to a relatives home to stay for the duration of Father's absence.He is fighting in Europe.The little girl is seeing the world as racist for the first time.
`What Have We Missed' by Elizabeth Hardwick tells of an English war widow and her son learning, but not well, how to live in a small town in Kentucky.She was well-to-do, but now is dependent on the help of one rich lady in New York City.She does not understand the towns people, not, they, her.What they have missed is how to connect with others in a very basic way.
`The Heroine' by Patricia Highsmith is of a newly hired governess in a proper English home.Lucille, the governess, has had problems, three weeks ago, and is trying to put them behind her, but not far enough, she ends up doing a bad thing.
`Innocents' by M. P. (Maude Phelps McViegh) Hutchins is probably the most unusual story in the collection.It tells of the life of a young woman from birth to death, treating it as if she was in remarkable command of her life. The story is written in very unusual style.
`Breathe Upon These Slain' by Meridel Le Sueur, a war story.The poor fellow is up against the wall, with barely any out.He climbs a tree to safety, ties himself safe, tries stay awake, sleeps, wakes, sleeps, dreams, wakes, etc.This is the story of a soldier trying to stay alive, but ready to die and the way his thoughts roam throughout this night.\ `The Guide' by Andrew Lytle tells of a boy going on his first duck hunting trip and all that it entails.From the perspective of fifty (50) years later, it is a very interesting read.
`Not Very Close' by Dorothy McCleary is about a lonely lady.She has money enough to stay and frequent a decent hotel and restaurant where her waitress is very nice and easygoing.It seems to end up to be some sort of lesbian story.
`Black Secret' by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings I think is of a small town in the south.A little boy begins to see life as grown ups see it and is traumatized.
`The Beggar Boy' by David S. Savler tells of Lieutenant Arthur Rolfe traveling from America to somewhere farther on, has a stopover in Central Africa.He has no choice but to spend the night there, so gets to know the residents and the society.The next day he rides out of town to see the countryside and, maybe, visit a native village.He gets to see the underside of African life in the native village and the hard truths of life in Africa.
`Act of Faith' by Irwin Shaw: three soldiers in France want a night on the town, but do not have much money to spend, so they try to borrow some from the Captain.One of them is Jewish, so his memories are intertwined with the story and sacrifice is called for.
`The Empty Sky' by Benedict Thielen has George, a Army Air Corps flyer, getting used to being back home, welcomed and honored.All he wants to do is relax and gather his wits about him again.
`A Sketching Trip' by Eudora Welty: Delia Farrar is going back home to do some water color paintings of where she grew up.It has been years since she had been there and now that she is going back, she is remembering what all happened and what all caused them to leave for so long: in childhood she did not understand it, in adulthood, she does.
`The Blackboard' by Jessamyn West, a deluded school teacher marries a fine, but uneducated, woman, who spurns him, and he does not realize all that he does to deserve it.
... Read more

Product Description
A collection of age-appropriate tales by O. Henry includes ""The Ransom of Red Chief,"" ""Gifts of the Magi,"" ""The Furnished Room,"" ""The Guilty Party,"" and ""Brickdust Row."" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Stories
This book brings back so many memories from my school years . My favorite was "The Ransom of Little Red Chief".
I am 67 years old and weReading as a class. I believe the class was my foundation for my love of reading today.

It was an excellent book!
I have read many books by O. Henry and think that the ironic twists that each story has leaves you laughing or thinking at the end. The Ransom Of Red Chief...haven't we all known someone(a child) like this at sometime in our life???Next time your child threatens to run away, give them this book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Great Collection from a Great Author
With over 100 short stories from America's most popular short story writer, this is ideal for an O'Henry fan, a fan of excellently crafted short stories, a person who appreciates fine writing or just someone who wants a great read.

It contains not only arguably his most well known works - "the Gift of the Magi" and "the Furnished Room" but tales from South of the Border, small town stories, shady business tales, stories of crooks and con artists, tales set in the Wild West and busy city streets. They can make you laugh, weep and feel the strings of romance sound in your heart.

Even if you've not read his work since high school, you will be enchanted by the way the stories have held up over the years - a work of a true master.

There are many collections of O'Henry on the market - this is one of, if not, the best I've seen. I recommend this book very highly. ... Read more

Product Description
The Five of Hearts, who first gathered in Washington in the Gilded Age, included Henry Adams, historian and scion of America's first political dynasty; his wife, Clover, gifted photographer and tragic victim of depression; John Hay, ambassador and secretary of state; his wife, Clara, a Midwestern heiress; and Clarence King, pioneering geologist, entrepreneur, and man of mystery. They knew every president from Abraham Lincoln to Theodore Roosevelt and befriended Henry James, Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, and a host of other illustrious figures on both sides of the Atlantic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good
This book is good for the story of Henry Adams and Clarence King and John Hay which I became interested in after seeing them frequently mentioned in Theodore Roosevelt biographies, but fans of TR will be troubled by some of the out of place criticisms of him, as in the authors next book "When Trumpets Call" she has a decided animosity towards him, like when she criticizes him for for not "facilitating genius" when being painted by John Singer Sargent like John Hay did, a man of "refined tastes" and about "whining"about time taken from his daily fencing matches. I don't know what her problem is but she clearly doesn't understand TR at all.

A Welcome Reissue of an Essential Book AboutHenry Adams
The republication of this fine 1990 volume in a convenient paper edition can only be a matter of joy to students of Henry Adams.This is one of the first books I read about HA, and it has proven to be also one of the most valuable.The focus of the volume is on five individuals who constituted Adams' inner circle after he moved to Washington and came together around 1880.Those being John Hay, former secretary to Lincoln, and eventually Secretary of State, Clara Hay, Clarence King, a prominent geologist, and Henry and Clover Adams.But these folks are only the beginning, as the author also incorporates into her discussion such individuals as Edith Wharton, Henry James, John LeFarge, H.H. Richardson, several presidents, and of course Augustus Saint-Gaudens who eventually crafted the remarkable memorial to Clover Adams situated in Rock Creek cemetery. Many fine illustrations are incorporated, including a number of photographs taken by Clover.One learns a great deal about how Adams lived, worked, conspired and interacted with prominent and challenging individuals. One's understanding of HA is less then complete unless this book has been savored. ... Read more

Product Description
THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. A thorough and riveting biography of the British sculptor. Beginning with Moore's birth, the reader is taken on a journey through the trials and tribulations of one of early twentieth- centur ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An art genius
This book is part of the Artists in Their Time sieres by Scholastic. The series features artists from different media and styles, including, Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Paul Cezanne and Paul Gaugin, amongst others. This book is intended for the young studentwho would be in middle school. As an introduction to the works of Moore and a biography it is very good. The approximately fifty pages are very colorful and expressive by displaying some of the drawings and sculptures of Henry Moore. The book does a good job of explaing tecniques and the difficulties and process of working with certain media. The influences of Moore are noted as are the results of those influences.I found this book very informative even though I had prior knowledge of some of the art works of Henry Moore. Without doubt the student will be blown away by the pieces featured in this book and probably want to learn more about this man. The book features an excellent glossary and a listing of museums and galleries around the world that have pieces by Moore. This will be very valuable(some have virtual tours) for the student who is doing a report on Moore as the listing of museums and galleries includes the web sites. This is a great book for the middle school student to learn about one of best modern artists, who wasgenius in his field.For further reading(or looking at the sculptures) you may find some of these books useful Henry Moore; (Twentieth-century masters), Henry Moore or any other of the fine books by David Mitchinson about Henry Moore. Recommended for middle school and community libraries and the young students introduction to the wonderful art world of Henry Moore. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Alias O. Henry: A Biography of William Sidney Porter
This is a fascinating book for those interested in O. Henry.I gave it to my husband because of his interest and he is enjoying it immensely. ... Read more

Product Description
More than twenty short stories are presented in a collection that represents some of the most noted new voices in contemporary American fiction, and is accompanied by a contributors' notes section. ... Read more

Product Description
A sick artist with no will to live feels she will die when the last leaf falls from the tree by her window--yet for some reason the leaf hangs on. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

classic, illustration of compassion and strength of soul
this is a classic that can be read over and over. well worth finding a copy for your library. it illustrates perseverence, will to live, and above all...compassion of spirit

classic, illustration of compassion and strength of soul
this is a classic that can be read over and over. well worth finding a copy for your library. it illustrates perseverence, will to live, and above all...compassion of spirit ... Read more

Product Description
Summary: "Confidence is a novel by Henry James, first published as a serial in Scribner's Monthly in 1879 and then as a book later the same year. This light and somewhat awkward comedy centers on artist Bernie Longueville, scientist Gordy Wright, and the sometimes inscrutable heroine, Angie Vivian. The plot rambles through various romantic entanglements before reaching an uncomplicated, but still believable happy ending."-- Courtesy of Wikipedia (Creative Commons Public License)Classic Reprint: This is a faithful representation of the original document.The Office of Historical Documents Archives and Access is proud to offer this and other titles available at minimum cost for a new generation of readers.Green Publishing: This title has been formatted to promote the maximum word count per page, reducing unnecessary paper usage, additional production energy consumption, and since the weight of the title has been reduced from the original shipping energy and resources are also being conserved.All illustrations and pictures have been transformed into grayscale to reduce printing energy usage.Each title is printed on demand, ensuring that the resources used to produce our books are not wasted.Each title is also printed in the United States, conserving shipping energy and resources that overseas flights and freighters consume.We're dedicated to conserving energy and resources as we strive to preserve historical literature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Oh, Henry!
I wish that I had met (main character) Bernie Loungeville in the 20's... riding across Europe in a traincar... what an interesting trip that would have been.

One of James' Lost Works
I am so glad that this has been released on Kindle!Henry James is one of my favorite authors and I had so much trouble finding this title in print.A wonderful read, and interesting view of the times and mores of that era.

Confident early-James
One of Henry James' earlier works, Confidence (1879) is set in the familiar territory of young rich Americans on extended trips in Europe, making friendships and romantic acquaintances with other Americans in the expatriate society that has been established in the glamorous settings of Italy, Germany, Switzerland and France.Less melodramatic than his previous novel, The American, and therefore showing less of the influence of European writers, Confidence rather establishes familiar Jamesian themes and explores ideas that contrast European Old World and American society, albeit in a style that is rather more light-hearted that his more notable later works, with the advantage however that it is still entertaining and more readable than some of the latter-day novels.

The story is centred on Bernard Longueville, a young man travelling freely around Europe, sketching and painting, who meets two fellow Americans in Siena - a Mrs Vivian and her daughter Angela, who he sketches while she inadvertently poses picturesquely outside a church waiting for her mother.Bernard expresses his admiration for the young woman and offers her the sketch, but is not so delicately rebuffed by the rather defensive and dismissive young woman.A few weeks later, Bernard receives a letter from his friend Gordon Wright in Baden Baden, exclaiming that he is in love and wants to be married.Bernard rushes to visit his friend and discovers that the object of his affections is none other than the same young woman he painted in Siena.

The majority of the novel explores at length Bernard's attempts to comprehend the actions and motives of Angela Vivian, a young lady who does not act like other society girls such as their rather feather-headed travelling companion Blanche Evers.This attempt to get to the bottom of this strange but undeniably fascinating young woman is initially on the request of his friend Gordon, but Longueville has difficulty coming to terms with his own feelings for Miss Vivian.

Confidence is a slight work by James, a little longer than it needs to be, but witty and entertaining all the same, delighting in the "intellectual fencing" that goes on in the realm of human interaction, relationships and communication, seeking to find truth in the less than precise - and sometimes even contradictory and deceptive - use of language.James manages to do this without over-elaboration, using some nice allusions and metaphors (losing himself to a bout of gambling, although successful, Bernard at one point realises that contrary to the impression of controlling his actions, "he had not been playing - he had been played with"), and without the extravagant verbosity, over-analysis and sometimes unendurable length of his latter works. ... Read more

Product Description
Publisher: Garden City, N.Y. : Doubleday, PagePublication date: 1921Notes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

3 stars for the content + 1 star for the many great writers + 1 star for those intact autographed letter copies
Although half of it is too politically correct and general, the great league of "writers" had certainly made up for that. No matter what, a good collectible and a good gift. Recommended!

p.s. Below please find my favorite passages for your reference.
If you're not willing to accept the worst that can happen, dont do it. - Muriel M. Siebert
Respond to people in a timely manner; this shows respect and responsibility .... Have no expectations, but rather abundant expectancy.- Maria Razumich Zec
It is important to excel in whatever you do, however lowly the job. There is a Chinese saying "There is a king in every job." The secret is that being the king in one job makes it easier for you to become a king in another job. And never kid yourself that just because you are determined, good with people, good at analysis, diligent, sensible, responsible and hard working, you are qualified to be employed. These are merely the minimum requirements. You should always look for a niche - somewhere others have not been or something others have not done. And most important of all, stop talking and make a start. - Sir David Tang
Persistance is a very critical issue, and if it means studying ten hours a day, it means studying ten hours a day. If it means working twelve hours a day, it means working twelve hours a day. - Henry Kaufman

GO-TO GIFT
Our daughter got this book as a graduation gift; chock-ful of wonderful essays on leadership.It's now our go-to gift for our kids' friends graduations.Very inviting, handsome presentation (with reproduction of handwriting or typeface). Great addition to anyone's library.

Great book.Great gift.Great for personal library.
Great book.Great gift.Great for personal library.I bought this for a gift then bought on for myself.Great letters.Very interesting.Would be perfect for a college or high school grad gift.Inspiring and thoughtful. ... Read more