| Author |
Bierce, Ambrose, 1842-1914? |
| Title |
A Son of the Gods, and A Horseman in the Sky
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 67.6 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Credits |
Produced by David Schwan, and David Widger
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| Summary |
"A Son of the Gods, and A Horseman in the Sky" by Ambrose Bierce is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of war, particularly as they pertain to the American Civil War. Through Bierce's poignant narratives, readers delve into the psychological impacts of battle, highlighting both the nobility and the tragic consequences of conflict. The first story, "A Son of the Gods," focuses on a young officer who bravely rides into enemy territory to gather intelligence, illustrating the complexities of valor and the cost of such courage. His actions are met with admiration from his comrades but end with tragic consequences that raise poignant questions about the nature of duty and sacrifice. In "A Horseman in the Sky," the narrative centers on Carter Druse, a Virginian soldier who faces an emotionally charged decision when he discovers that the enemy he must confront is his own father. This harrowing scenario encapsulates the deep personal dilemmas soldiers faced during the war, reflecting on themes of loyalty, love, and the weight of one’s choices in the tumult of battle. Through both stories, Bierce crafts a powerful commentary on the myriad emotional landscapes shaped by war. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
|
| Subject |
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Fiction
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| Subject |
War stories, American
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
5661 |
| Release Date |
May 1, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jul 11, 2018 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
223 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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