Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.Download Description
Short story collection by O. Henry. Includes "The Hand that Rules The World." ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.Download Description
On the bottom shelf behind the counter was a pound of fresh butter that the dairyman had left ten minutes before. With a bread knife Miss Martha made a deep slash in each of the stale loaves, inserted a generous quantity of butter, and pressed the loaves tight again. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.Download Description
Perhaps, if he had known that Adele had stood at the gate on that unlucky night, where she had followed, lingering, to await the return of her brother and lover, wondering why they had chosen so tempestuous an hour and so black a spot to hold converse--if he had known that a sudden flash of lightning had revealed to her sight that short, sharp struggle as Victor was sinking under his hands, he might have explained everything, and she--.... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

a super cool review for this super cool book
This story makes you think if the dreams you really want are really worth everything you have to lose. After reading this story the book became a book that I could recommend to anybody. The story is interesting because it takes three different stories and puts them into one. The choices the main character makes are poor choices. Because of these poor choices the story becomes predictable, but not to the point of where you want to stop reading it. However I didn't stop reading it and it is a fantastic book.

Roads of Destiny

"Roads of Destiny" written by O Henry creates a different way of looking at the paths in life we take. His theory reveals that it doesn't matter the paths we take but our destiny is sealed. Whatever we do does not change or hinder it. Through reading O Henry's thoughts, one must acknowledge how we should make the most of what we want for our lives-self goals/accomplishments- because we only have one life to live and death may come sooner than one might think. Who wants to die an unhappy death knowing that your life was useless and you didn't achieve your goals?

The One Review, To rule the ALL!
If you've ever regretted making a choice thinking that you're life would have been different, then this is the story for you! O Henry's unique style of writing will introduce you to story filled of mystery, suspense and of course a decision. A decision which will lead a certain main character to three roads of which he must choose from.
Three Roads.
Three ways.
Three outcomes.
Now what's alluring about this story is that all three outcomes are shared. And curiously enough they end up having crazy, yet shocking endings. This book will definitely make you think twice about all the decisions you've made in the past. We may think the decisions me make will make a huge difference in our future, yet this story adds a certain twist to the phrase "life changing decisions". What if those "life changing decisions" we make are worth nothing, because ultimately we all have the same outcome? Would that change the way you make your decisions from now on? These are some questions that left me speechless with doubt. I loved the way this book made me think. It was wonderful! O Henry's morbid style of writing and wry outcomes will insure you and definite good read!

Roads of Life
This story makes the reader think: Would a person truly change if they chose to go a different route in their life? There are three roads: left, right, center. Each road is leading a different way. O Henry believes that even we may take different paths in our life time, the outcome never really changes. I enjoyed the thinking process, but I did not really enjoy the story itself. I felt that it was a little on the depressing side. The outcomes of the different roads in "Roads to Destiny" are a little disappointing. In every outcome, he is a sad and unhappy poet. The writing was distinctly O Henry's work. I believe it will enrich a person's soul. It makes a person look at their life and see what is important to them. This story is worth reading.

Roads of Destiny
Imagine if everyday you had one destiny and that no matter where you went or what you did you would end up in the same place.Which path would you travel? O Henry gracefully teaches that choices cannot change destiny.This suggests that everyone has an ultimate destiny that would come true, against all odds. I do not believe that this is possible, or realistic. Perhaps there is more that a person can do to change what can happen in the future? Is there a higher power involved somehow? Is it possible that there truly is a plan for our lives?The plot is rich capturing the reader's attention, because you never know what will happen to David as he travels down the next road. A definite must read for anyone.

... Read more

Book Description
Graphic Classics: O. Henry is a great collection of stories from the master of the surprise ending. This eleventh volume in the Graphic Classics series features "The Ransom of Red Chief," the precursor to "Home Alone." Plus "The Cabollero's Way," the original tale of The Cisco Kid, and O. Henry's Christmas classic "The Gift of the Magi," along with seven more stories, including a new O. Henry "sequel" by Mort Castle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great book but not the one I needed.
This was a great book to read a literary analysis of O Henry's works, unfortunately, the story I needed it for was not in the book.I had to return it.

Tales of Love and High Adventure
Graphic Classics continues is incredible series of illustrated classics with "O Henry," an American short story author and the master of the twist ending. Almost everyone who has gone through the US school system has encountered O Henry at some point or other, most likely in "Gift of the Magi," but the remainder of his catalog is not as generally well-known.

This volume, # 11 in the Graphic Classics series, has some of the most variety of the series.From cowboy adventure yarns to morality tales to straight, melancholy tragedies, O Henry seems to have written a little bit of everything.The majority of the Graphic Classics series have focused on horror, which seems really suited to the format, but it is great to see that adventure has a place as well.

This volume contains:

"An Unfinished Story" - A quick snippet about exactly who qualifies for heaven.

"The Ransom of Red Chief" - A cartoonish take on a Dennis the Menace-style tale of kidnappinga spoiled bully.

"The Caballero's Way" - A brilliant tale of the Cisco Kid, famed bandit and caballero.The illustrations are superb, completely complementing the romantic nature of the yarn.Ah, for the love of Tonia Perez, what would we all not dare?I could happily buy a whole book in this style.

"The Gift of the Magi" - THE classic O Henry tale, illustrated by Graphic Classics's regular Lisa K. Weber. Her pretty art adds the necessary touch on this familiar and beautiful story.

"After 20 Years" - A clever story of friendship, with the art giving the right rough and ready feel.Touching and sad.

"A Strange Story" -A VERY strange story, with cartoonish illustrations.A funny break from the heavy tales preceding.

"The Marionettes" - Rick Geary's Victorian style is great for this story of free will, heroes and villains, and why people do what they do.

"The Furnished Room" - A straight-forward tragedy, full of loneliness and death.

"Roads of Destiny" - The struggling peasant/poet David takes three paths through life, but all lead to the same destiny.Three different illustrators lends power to the adaptation.

"The Friendly Call" - An odd tale of loyalty and friendship.

"A Madison Square Arabian Night" - A dilettante's dismay, a photograph of a woman...

"The Eye of the Beholder" - An artist who paints souls rather than appearance, finds that not everyone appreciates having their true nature revealed.

A graphic novel anthology of classic short stories
Graphic Classics: O. Henry is a graphic novel anthology of classic short stories by O. Henry, each of which is presented in comic book form. Each individual story is fully and distinctively illustrated in comic-style in black-and-white by a different artist, and faithfully renders the gist of O. Henry's complex characterizations. The O. Henry stories featured include The Ransom of Red Chief, The Gift of the Magi, The Caballero's Way, Roads of Destiny, The Marionettes, The Friendly Call, and The Furnished Room. Brief biographies of the many different artists round out this introduction to works of great literature, highly recommended for all ages.

illustrated O. Henry stories
There's 13 illustrated O. Henry stories altogether, by additional illustrators than the few noted on the cover. The accomplished illustrators bring out in their own distinctive visual styles the diverse dramatic moments and general tones of the stories. The illustrations also accentuate the abbreviated, selected text of each tale. With stories ranging from only a few pages to about 20 at most, the variety of illustration styles can be reviewed and appreciated quickly in this work which fits right in to the current popularity for graphic novels and similar works.
... Read more

Book Description
The Master of Irony

Readers the world over recognize O. Henry as the best short story writer of the early twentieth century. Widely known as a master of irony, O. Henry also displays here dazzling wordplay and a wry combination of pathos and humor. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Typeface Small
Everything you've ever wanted to read by O. Henry. Good gift, good read.

Awful writing style
I started reading this book after I had just finished reading ALL of the Sherlock Holmes stories (for the first time), and quite simply, it grated on my nerves.The writing style does not come close to that of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's, who's writing is well thought out and presented.I once read somewhere that O. Henry never edited his stories, and it is VERY noticeable.It is really strange to have an explanation of why he uses a certain word over another as part of the text, albeit paranthetically.I've since moved on to Poe, whose short stories are pretty good.On the plus side, the irony is pretty good.

Humanity Revealed: With Humor and Irony
I have a smile on my face every time I finish reading a story from this book. Each story tickles my fancy ... I was sold on this volume by an amazon.com reviewer -- whose enthusiasm for O. Henry was contagious. O. Henry was one of my favorite story tellers in the past ... I am pleased to have discovered this book. It is filled with delightful and enlightening short stories about the foibles of humanity ... many are heart-warming and sensitive, many are humorous, some are serious. He has mastered the art of the "surprise" ending for which he is famous!

"The Gift of the Magi", "Brickdust Row", and "The Furnished Room", bring back fond memories of growing up. I remember events and characters from these stories. Each story is poignant, emotionally satisfying, and complete. O. Henry possesses an uncanny ability to hook the readers attention in the first paragraph and then keep the reader hanging on every word, anticipating what happens next ... O. Henry is the master of creating a twist to the ending ... he often throws the reader an unexpected curve. Heshows us life is *not* always what it seems.

In this volume, O. Henry writes about people, human reactions, culture, society, class structure and how to earn a buck, through a bit of conniving and deceit. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories which took place out West and in Central America ... they were fresh, original and well-crafted. His technical expertise as a writer, the use of words to create an impression and set up a plot are sheer genius. They demonstrate the reason for his stories are popular throughout the world. One of myfavorites is the story titled, "The Ethics of Pigs". Here is a sample of O. Henry's famous word-play: "Jeff is in the line of unillegal graft. He is not to be dreaded by widows and orphans; he is a reducer of surplusage. His favorite disguise is that of the target-bird at which the spend-thrift or the rockless investor may shy a few inconsequential dollars." [p. 147, A Signet Classic] This book contains stories with a wide range of themes, plots, and locales. It will appeal to a large audience of readers from middle school age on up. My highest recommendations. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Expect the Best; You'll Get It
The thing I always find remarkable about reading O. Henry is that the "surprise" or "twist" at the end of so many of his stories arrive so naturally. You never feel manipulated. They are so simple and logical, like the narrator's tone. It's little wonder that so many consider O. Henry to be one of the founders of the modern short story. And that an annual short story award is given out in his name.

His stories, like Horatio Alger's, give us a unique first-hand account of what New York and other cities were like at the turn of the last century. And for that it is a valuable collection as well.

The great standards are in this collection, like "The Gift of the Magi" and "A Retrieved Reformation". But it's the lesser known, the hidden gems, that make this collection so remarkable. People make much of the fact that so many of these tales were written while O. Henry was in prison for various minor offences and that the stories provided him with bail money. The fact is that the man had a lucid view of human nature and the funny way life infringes upon it. He could have--and did--write so many of these tales outside of the jail cell.

Great for O Henry fans; unnecessary for a first O Henry book
O Henry is a sort of "must know."Without the knowledge of O Henry's writing style, and because it's been so influential, you miss out on the transformation of the short-story form since.It's almost a historical mandate for an understanding of the short story from the turn on the centrury onward.

That said, when do you choose to read him and which book?If you haven't read O Henry, O Do.But, I don't think that as many stories that are in this collection are necessary.Once you see what he does, you've got it.Once you see it, you can also then see what's happened since, and along the way - short stories of the 20s, 40s, 50s, etc., and to the present.

Read a few O Henry stories if you've got an interest in reading short stories.If you're short of money or time, you don't need quite as many as are in this book. Unless you are highly interested in O Henry, my sense is you won't read every story in this book anyway.

Buy this book if you can't get enough of him and have that burning desire to see the ones left out of earlier anthologies.Otherwise, pick up any O Henry book - they've got the "important" ones and that's all you need. This book, so many stories, is too repetitious after awhile; once you've read a few, you know how from the first paragraph how every story will end.This book is for fans only.

Interesting little bio at the front, though. ... Read more

Book Description
The more than 600 stories written by O. Henry provided an embarrassment of riches for the compilers of this volume.  The final selection of the thirty-eight stories in this collection offers for the reader's delight those tales honored almost unanimously by anthologists and those that represent, in variety and balance, the best work of America's favorite storyteller.  They are tales in his most mellow, humorous, and ironic moods.  They give the full range and flavor of the man born William Sydney Porter but known throughout the world as O. Henry, one of the great masters of the short story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

The best short story writer in American history
O. Henry wrote delightful short stories, always with surprising and often humorous endings.He is a great American literary treasure.

Stories with a Twist
My father recently sent me some of his books after my parents moved to a smaller home in Oregon.Included in the mostly newer books were a few old ones from his college days.Among them was the original 1945 version of "Best Stories of O. Henry".Anyone familiar with American Literature knows of William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry.He is famous for his short stories that lead you down a path which swerves, at the end, in a direction you hadn't anticipated.Along the way are many colorful characters out of American life around the Turn of the Century (That's the Turn of the Century BEFORE this latest one).Not only are his characters a worthwhile part of every story, his settings often give another interesting view of life 100 years ago.All this evolves in stories that often are no more than 4-5 pages in length.These snapshots almost always conclude with an ironic and/or surprise ending.His best known story, which is the opening selection in this collection, is "The Gift of the Magi".The other story of his that I always recalled, "The Ransom of Red Chief", is also in this book.It's one of the handful of longer stories and runs a whole 12 pages.Among my favorites "discoveries" in this collection are "The Cop and the Anthem", "A Blackjack Bargainer", "Squaring the Circle", "The Pendulum", "The Last Leaf", and "The Count and the Wedding Guest".There are 30 other stories in addition to the ones I've cited.Some went a bit long which sounds strange to say about a short story.However, one gets used to the rhythim of O. Henry and certain stories take you out of that rhythim.Some stories may not conclude in as surprising a manner as others but they are still worth a look at life and customs a century ago.

According to the Editorial Review shown above, O. Henry wrote over 600 stories in his life.I'm not interested in reading that much of his work.However, I'm glad I read these 38.

A wonderfully funny group of stories
I couldn't find the edition that I read, so will review here.I read O'Henry's "heart of the West", his group of stories about Texas.O. Henry (or William Porter) actually lived in Texas just before the turn of the century, and these stories therefore reflect what life was actually like for the rough and ready cowboys and their women.His characters are real, and his stories are true little gems.O. Henry's love for this place (Texas) at this time comes through over and over.O. Henry wrote for the common people, and because of that they loved him.They could see themselves in each one of these stories.These stories are all wonderful, but my personal favourite was "The Handbook of Hymen".It is so wryly funny, that I laugh about it still when I think of Sanderson Pratt and his little book of facts and how that book helped him successfully courta rich widow lady.Idaho Green's little book of poetry written by "Homer K.M." did not stand him in good stead with the good widow lady.Hilarious!

Life's ups and downs
These are clever stories that don't skip over the blue side of life.

Good Collection
This is a very good collection of my favorite short story author.

It's hard to imagine anyone who hasn't read and loved O. Henry, but if for some reason you have discovered this work yet, this collection is a great place to begin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

So interesting you'll forget it's nonfiction!
At the conclusion of his book "A Twist at the End," Steven Saylor highly recommends this biography of O. Henry. I do, too.

This book sheds so much light on both William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) and American life in the late 19th century and early 20th century. O'Connor meticulously documents his sources in a way that never interferes with his story. About three-fourths of the way through the book, I suddenly realized that this non-fiction work is far more interesting than the novel ("A Twist at the End") that Saylor wrote about one part of O. Henry's life.

If you enjoy biographies, try to find a used copy of this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

An American original
I was surprised upon rereading O. Henry to discover more insight into human situation and character than I had thought of before. The image of a superficial maker of slight superficial gimmick stories was somehow in my mind, and it proved wholly wrong. Linguistic inventiveness, a strong narrative gift, a power to see into various kinds of human situation, warm human sympathy and of course , frequent humor, are found in his stories.

Short story master!
A collection of 100 or more short stories by O. Henry?My mouth waters already!It's hard to imagine any literary treat that can be enjoyed in small doses more pleasurable than this.I have spent over a year savouring these stories, reading them one by one, tasting his delightful choice of words, digesting his fascinating story-lines, and the warm satisfying afterglow that comes after a typical twist at the end. His stories are superbly outstanding in at least four ways, each illustrated with five of my personal favorites.

Firstly, his brilliant use of language.These stories were written in the first half of the twentieth century, and O. Henry's use of language easily surpasses that of most contemporary writers.Not only does he have an extensive vocabulary, but his writing abounds with similes and metaphors that breathe sparkling life and depth into his stories."Ulysses and the Dogman" is a fine example of his skills with a language, metaphorically portraying dog owners as victims of Circe, in a hopeless enchantment to their leashed pets.Also exemplary is "Madame Bo-Peep of the Ranches" where a ranch manager has a heart fenced by barbwire just like the ranch on which he lives, and yet the twist at the ending suggests that perhaps we were completely mistaken."A Comedy in Rubber" uses wonderfully elevated language to farcically portray a class of people today known as ambulance chasers.And "Sisters of the Golden Circle" revolves around the profound bond that exists between two married women who are strangers but yet sisters "of the plain gold band.""An Unfinished Story" employs profound metaphors of angelic hosts to tell the tragic story of poor Dulcie's struggle for survival.

Secondly, his unique insight into the social conditions of his time.O. Henry has a great understanding of the trials of the lower class, frequently picturing the lives of ordinary people of early twentieth century America with sympathetic colours.His characters are frequently the overlooked: the struggling shop girl, the unsuccessful artist, the impoverished.Admittedly, some of his images can be hard to comprehend for modern readers, and the distance that time has placed between us and O. Henry's beloved New York means that some of his verbal pictures will be harder to identify with. But his genuine sympathy for the oppressed cannot be missed. "The Gift of the Magi" is the signature O. Henry story, probably his most famous tale which recounts a poor young couple who both give up a prized possession in order to purchase a gift for one another - but ironically a gift intended to complement the other's prized possession that they have just given up.Another story which displays his ability to picture the social conditions of his time is "The Pendulum", a wonderful portrait of the daily routines of an poor couple and the bursting anxiety of a married man, until the bubble bursts."The Cop and the Anthem" was the first O. Henry story I ever read, and humorously recounts the unsuccessful attempts of a man to get into jail for the winter."The Furnished Room" is a tragic and shocking story of suicide, depicting the depths of despair and desperation of the impoverished.

Thirdly, his warm humour.O. Henry has an uncanny ability to portray the mundane and the ordinary in the most elevated language.Frequently he pits two characters together in a remarkable way so that one outshines and complements the other.On other occasions he crafts the most ingenious and humorous schemes for outwitting others.One of his most popular stories is "The Handbook of Hymen", the tale of two men in a winter cabin, one armed with the hilarious Herkimer's handbook of Indispensable Information.And then there's Jeff Peters, a man who comes with the most ingenious money-making schemes, two shining examples displayed in "Jeff Peters as a Personal Magnet" and "The Exact Science of Matrimony"."Let Me Feel Your Pulse" pokes fun at doctors, while in "Next to Reading Matter" an overly eloquent character wins the heart of a senora with streams of articulate talk about the mundane.

Fourthly, his ironic twist.One of the distinctive characteristics of O. Henry's short stories is the ironic twist at the end, which never fails to surprise and entertain, sometimes reversing the entire story line in a concluding one-liner. O. Henry's suspense and trademark ironic twist ensures that readers who have a good literary taste in short stories will not be disappointed.Like the Jeff Peters stories, "The Love-philtre of Ikey Schoenstein" also feature a brilliant scheme, and the way the romantic scheme backfires is unforgettable.Other delightful examples of the glorious ironic twist include "Witches' Loaves" and"While the Auto Waits". The twist that comes at the end of "The Hypotheses of Failure" is so perplexing, that you'll have to re-read the entire story after reading the ending - but completely delighted at the way in which O. Henry has misled you.Perhaps one of O. Henry's best uses of the ironic twist comes in "The Last Leaf", a warm and tragic tale describing how a dying artist proves as resilient as the last leaf on the wall outside, and through the self-less sacrifice of another.

The Wordsworth collection is superlative, because it contains more than 700 pages of literary gems.It consists of 100 stories, showcasing a wide range of O. Henry's short-story talents.A few popular favorites are missing, such as "Schools and Schools", "Shearing the Wolf", "The Green Door", and "The Pimienta Pancakes."But the reality is that nearly all O. Henry's stories feature his trademark ironic twist, as they do his warm humour, his unique insight into the social conditions of the time, and his brilliant use of language, and that every story in this collection is a literary delight worthy of inclusion.The inaccessibility of some references for modern readers does not prevent these stories from being always entertaining and enduring!Don't pass up on these!

MASTER OF THE IRONIC TWIST!
O. Henry began writing short stories as a prison inmate, and he quickly fine tuned his skills behind the bars and developed into an excellentstory-teller.

The distinctive characteristic of O. Henry's shortstories is the ironic twist at the end, which never fails to surprise andentertain.O. Henry's suspense and trademark ironic twist ensures thatreaders who have a good literary taste in short stories will not bedisappointed.

These stories were written in the first half of thetwentieth century, and O. Henry's use of language far surpasses that ofmost contemporary writers.

His stories also demonstrate his uniqueinsight into the social conditions of his time.

This collection issuperlative, because it consists of 100 stories, more than 400 pages, andis offered by Amazon.com at an excellent price!Don't pass up on this one!

O Henry is the best Short-Story Writer
What an excellent book!I recommend it all who love short-story works ... Read more

Book Description
1923. William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) was the most popular short story writer of his time. His stories typically revolved around two of his favorite themes, the situation of the impostor and fate as the one unavoidable reality of life. Another device he used was the surprise ending, usually coming about through coincidence. He was the founder of the humorous weekly The Rolling Stone. When the weekly failed, he joined the Houston Post as a reporter and columnist. He was convicted of embezzling money, although there's much debate over his actual guilt, and while in prison he started to write short stories. His first work, Whistling Dick's Christmas Stocking appeared in McClure's Magazine. After emerging from prison Porter changed his name to O. Henry. He then moved to New York and wrote a story a week for the New York World, while also publishing in other magazines. Cabbages and Kings was Henry's first collection of short stories. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.Download Description
Spilled milk draws few tears from an Anchurian administration. Many are its lacteal sources; and the clocks' hands point forever to milking time. Even the rich cream skimmed from the treasury by the bewitched Miraflores did not cause the newly installed patriots to waste time in unprofitable regrets. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I'm glad O Henry escaped prison
I am glad O Henry escaped from his Texas prison, because his period of exile in Honduras provided him with beautiful fodder for this book. Actually, it is a series of linking vignettes about a mythical town(Coralio) in the mythical CentralAmerican "Banana Republic" ofAnchuria. The protagonists are American and other foreign misfits who haveformed a colony along the disease ridden coast of Anchuria. Achingly funnystories populate Cabbages and Kings, especially the one about an IrishSoldier of Fortune who gets swindled by a Guatemalan general and seeksrevenge. Although extremely humourous, Cabbages and Kings is historicallyvaluable as well. It provides an accurate representation ofturn-of-the-century life in Caribbean Honduras. ... Read more