The Short-Story is an anthology and critical study tracing the development of one of literature’s most popular forms. Combining selected exemplary tales with editorial commentary, the volume sets out to show how the modern short story emerged and what gives it its distinctive power of compression and effect.
The collection surveys the form’s history from earlier narrative traditions through its flowering in the nineteenth century, offering readers both representative stories and a framework for appreciating their craft. Books like this were widely used in schools and by aspiring writers eager to learn the principles of brevity, unity, and impact that the best short stories embody. For anyone interested in the art of short fiction—as reader, student, or writer—this volume remains a useful and engaging introduction to the genre and its masters.