The Letters of Ambrose Bierce, With a Memoir by George Sterling

"The Letters of Ambrose Bierce, With a Memoir by George Sterling" by Ambrose Bierce is a collection of correspondence accompanied by an introductory memoir, written in the early 20th century. This volume offers a rare glimpse into the thoughts and views of Bierce, a complex figure known for his sharp wit and dark literary style. It captures his reflections on art, literature, and society, revealing a man who straddles the line between fame and obscurity while partaking in the cultural debates of his time. At the start of the work, we are introduced to Bierce through an insightful memoir by George Sterling, who highlights Bierce’s underground reputation and his struggles with recognition. The opening portion sets the tone for a series of letters that reflect Bierce's philosophical musings on writing and life, where he expresses disdain for literature that serves a social purpose over pure artistic expression. He encourages recipients of his letters, particularly a young woman named Blanche, to write for the sake of art rather than social reform, asserting that true artistic endeavor should be freed from altruistic motives. Through this correspondence, readers encounter Bierce's candid critique of human nature and societal norms, framed by his distinct perspective as a journalist and writer from the late 19th century. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American short story writer, journalist, poet, and American Civil War veteran. His book The Devil's Dictionary was named one of "The 100 Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature" by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. His story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" has been described as "one of the most famous and frequently anthologized stories in American literature", and his book Tales of Soldiers and Civilians was named by the Grolier Club one of the 100 most influential American books printed before 1900.