An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
Channel: Librecron
Date: 2020-01-08

This is a complete recording of the audiobook version of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce, read by John Van Stan. The only difference is that I cleaned up the recording (removed the narratorial introductions, reduced silences, etc.). You can get an ebook version for free (or whatever price you're comfortable with) here: https://librecron.com/product/an-occurrence-at-owl-creek-bridge-by-ambrose-bierce/

If you’re inducted into the annals of history for one masterpiece, you’ve cemented your legacy. If you’re inducted into the annals of history for two masterpieces, you’re something else entirely. Besides writing The Devil’s Dictionary (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil%27s_Dictionary), considered a masterpiece of writing, Ambrose Bierce wrote the short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Occurrence_at_Owl_Creek_Bridge). The story is still one of the most anthologized short stories in American literature.

Set during the American Civil War, Bierce’s story concerns the execution of a Confederate sympathizer. It’s known for its main characters stream of consciousness, as well as its twist ending. Bierce himself fought during the war, enlisting in the Union Army. His experiences during the war impacted him greatly. Some of those impacts made their way into his writing, as is the case with What I Saw of Shiloh.

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is often anthologized in horror & mystery anthologies. It’s a case of art imitating real life; in 1913, Bierce traveled to Chihuahua, Mexico. It’s unknown whether he wanted to participate in the Mexican Revolution, or just report on it; he was a journalist by trade (and in his day, known more for his journalism than his stories). And that was the last anyone saw of Ambrose Bierce.

The Library of America edition (https://amzn.to/2QDUDIx) of Bierce’s works are a great introduction. The short story, along with others from different writers, can be enjoyed in The Treasury of the Fantastic (https://amzn.to/300zlro). You can also watch a short film adaptation of the story (https://amzn.to/2QDUXqJ).