IN THE MIDST OF LIFE: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians

New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1901. Hardcover. Very good. Presentation copy, inscribed by Ambrose Bierce to American architect Arnold William Brunner on the front flyleaf, with Brunner's bookplate to the front pastedown. An early printing of the enlarged edition of Tales of Soldiers and Civilians (1891), widely regarded as the author's finest collection of short fiction. Notably, it includes the celebrated Civil War fictions "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and "Chickamauga", his macabre masterpieces, and his tales of supernatural horror. Reminiscent of Poe, these stories are marked by a sardonic humour and a realistic study of tense emotional states. Octavo: vi, 362, [6, ads] p. Original burgundy cloth binding, with gilt titles. Period bookseller's label to the rear pastedown. Some general dust staining to the top edge. The spine is lightly toned, with a bit of edgewear to the boards and a few tiny spots; else very good. (Inventory #: 77738)