Cobwebs from an Empty Skull

Ambrose Gwinnett BierceProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.3

Word count: 303K words
Chapters: 31

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Cobwebs from an Empty Skull by Ambrose BierceAuthor: Bierce, Ambrose, 1842-1914?,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Jun 30, 2004

Editor's review

This is an early collection of short humorous pieces by Ambrose Bierce, literally titled "Cobwebs from an Empty Skull," gathering his satirical sketches, fables, and grotesque stories. Bierce is known for his cold humor and black satire; the pieces here are short and sharp, often using absurd plots to expose human weaknesses and social follies. It suits fragmented reading and rewards literary readers who savor verbal wit. As a public-domain ebook, this edition is freely released by Project Gutenberg and easy to obtain, but it lacks modern notes, so some allusions and historical background require readers' own research. Its value lies in recognizing the early face of Biercean satire and understanding one strand of late nineteenth-century American humor literature, rather than in complete plots or warm storytelling. Suitable for casual reading in spare moments such as commuting or before sleep, and as a reference sample for satirical literature or short-form writing.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literary readers who enjoy black humor and satirical short pieces
Researchers of nineteenth-century American humor literature and Bierce's writing
Readers who want short pieces for fragmented reading time
Readers interested in fable-like satire and grotesque stories

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer complete plots and long-form narrative
Readers expecting warm, inspirational, or light healing content
Beginner readers who need modern notes and detailed introductions

Reading tips

Read piece by piece, pausing after each to savor its satirical target
Start with the shorter fable-like pieces, then move to the longer grotesque stories
Look up historical allusions as needed; don't insist on understanding everything at once
Read alongside other American satirists to appreciate stylistic differences

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a novel or a short-piece collection?

It is a collection of short pieces—satirical sketches, fables, and grotesque stories—each independent and brief. Readers can dip in in any order without reading continuously from start to finish.

What English level is needed to read this book?

The original is in English with a late nineteenth-century style; sentence patterns and diction pose some difficulty for modern readers. A solid intermediate reading ability is recommended, or use a dictionary and annotated editions to grasp the satire and allusions.

What are the features of the Project Gutenberg edition?

The Project Gutenberg edition is a free public-domain ebook, easy to obtain and suitable for reading on electronic devices. However, it usually contains no modern notes, introduction, or detailed background, so readers must research historical allusions and the author's background themselves.

Is this work by Bierce suitable for beginners?

It can serve as an introduction to Bierce's satirical style, since the pieces are short and low-pressure to read. But without familiarity with nineteenth-century American literary background, some satirical targets may be hard to grasp; reading with biographical and period background materials is advised.

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About the author

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce Author · American · 1842–1914

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914), an American writer, journalist, and satirical novelist, was born in Meigs County, Ohio. A veteran of the American Civil War, he drew heavily on that experience in his fiction. His short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is known for its startling ending and austere style, while the satirical dictionary "The Devil's Dictionary" is famous for its biting definitions. He excelled in horror and war fiction, writing in a grim, restrained, and ironic style that earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce." He disappeared in Mexico in 1913, and the exact year of his death is unknown, though some sources give 1914. His work has deeply influenced American short fiction and satirical literature.