Best Short Stories

by O. Henry

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780486424682
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Publication date:	10/09/2002
Series:	Dover Large Print Classics
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

O. Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862-1910) was a prolific American short story writer. Initially trained as a pharmacist, Porter began his writing career as a journalist and worked on his stories on the side. After being accused of embezzling money from a bank he worked for, he fled to Honduras. He returned to the US upon the death of his wife and was sentenced to five years in prison. It was during this time that he began to have his first stories published. He later moved to New York and began writing stories in earnest. Some of his most famous stories include "Gift of the Magi" and "The Caballero's Way" which introduced the character, the Cisco Kid.

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