The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 02 In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians

"The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 02" by Ambrose Bierce is a collection marked by dark humor, social commentary, and investigations into war, death, and what it means to be human; it presents tales of soldiers and civilians navigating morally challenging situations during the American Civil War. Beginning with the author's note on the book's challenging path to publication and a merchant's support, the collection opens with "A Horseman in the Sky," a story about duty, personal struggle, and war's psychological impacts, presenting a soldier, Carter Druse, who makes a tough choice that shows the dilemmas of individuals during conflict by weaving together vivid scenery with a profound sense of irony and sadness. Bierce sets the stage for stories filled with twists, exploring how people behave in the face of death and destruction.