Best Short Stories (Dover Literature: Short Stories)

Jacket Description/Back:
William Sydney Porter (1862-1910), better known as O. Henry, led a life similar to those of his own fictional characters. Convicted of embezzlement, he found inspiration in his prison experience for some of the characters who populate his ironic tales. The 16 choice selections in this volume--among them "The Ransom of Red Chief," "The Last Leaf," "The Voice of the City," and the classic, "The Gift of the Magi"--have endeared him to generations of readers.

Table of Contents:
From The Four Million
The Gift of the Magi
The Cop and the Anthem
Springtime à la Carte
The Green Door
After Twenty Years
The Furnished Room
From Heart of the West
The Pimienta Pancakes
From The Trimmed Lamp
The Last Leaf
From The Voice of the City
The Voice of the City
While the Auto Waits
From Roads of Destiny
A Retrieved Reformation
From Strictly Business
A Municipal Report
From Whirligigs
A Newspaper Story
The Ransom of Red Chief
From Sixes and Sevens
A Ghost of a Chance
Makes the Whole World Kin


Publisher Marketing:
William Sydney Porter (1862-1910), better known as O. Henry, led a life similar to those of his own fictional characters. Convicted of embezzlement, he found inspiration in his prison experience for some of the characters who populate his ironic tales. The 16 choice selections in this volume -- among them "The Ransom of Red Chief," "The Last Leaf," "The Voice of the City," and the classic, "The Gift of the Magi" -- have endeared him to generations of readers. Large print edition.