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  A Diagnosis of Death - From...

  Ambrose Bierce

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  Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was born on 24th June 1842 at Horse Cave Creek in Meigs County, Ohio. His parents were poor but they introduced him to literature at an early age, instilling in him a deep appreciation of books, the written word and the elegance of language.  
  Growing up in Koscuisko County, Indiana poverty and religion were defining features of his childhood, and he would later describe his parents as “unwashed savages” and fanatically religious, showing him little affection but always quick to punish. He came to resent religion, and his introduction to literature appears to be their only positive effect. 
  At age 15 Bierce left home to become a printer’s devil, mixing ink and fetching type at The Northern Indian, a small Ohio paper. Falsely accused of theft he returned to his farm and spent time sending out work in the hopes of being published. 
  His Uncle Lucius advised he be sent to the Kentucky Military Institute. A year later he was commissioned as an Officer.  As the Civil War started Bierce enlisted in the 9th Indiana Infantry Regiment.  
  In April 1862 Bierce fought at the Battle of Shiloh, an experience which, though terrifying, became the source of several short stories. Two years later he sustained a serious head wound and was off duty for several months. He was discharged in early 1865.  
  A later expedition to inspect military outposts across the Great Plains took him all the way to San Francisco. He remained there to become involved with publishing and editing and to marry, Mary Ellen on Christmas Day 1871.  They had a child, Day, the following year.  
  In 1872 the family moved to England for 3 years where he wrote for Fun magazine. His son, Leigh, was born, and first book, ‘The Fiend’s Delight’, was published.  
  They returned to San Francisco and to work for a number of papers where he gained admiration for his crime reporting. In 1887 he began a column at the William Randolph Hearst’s San Francisco Examiner.  
  Bierce’s marriage fell apart when he discovered compromising letters to his wife from a secret admirer. The following year, 1889 his son Day committed suicide, depressed by romantic rejection. 
  In 1891 Bierce wrote and published the collection of 26 short stories which included ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’.  Success and further works including poetry followed.  
  Bierce with Hearst’s resources helped uncover a financial plot by a railroad to turn 130 million dollars of loans into a handout. Confronted by the railroad and asked to name his price Bierce answered “my price is $130 million dollars. If, when you are ready to pay, I happen to be out of town, you may hand it over to my friend, the Treasurer of the United States”.  
  He now began his first foray as a fabulist, publishing ‘Fantastic Fables’ in 1899.  But tragedy again struck two years later when his second son Leigh died of pneumonia relating to his alcoholism.  
  He continued to write short stories and poetry and also published ‘The Devil’s Dictionary’.  
  At the age of 71, in 1913 Bierce departed from Washington, D.C., for a tour of the battlefields where he had fought during the civil war. At the city of Chihuahua he wrote his last known communication, a letter to a friend. It’s closing words were “as to me, I leave here tomorrow for an unknown destination,” Ambrose Bierce then vanished without trace.

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  The Masque of the Red Death

  Edgar Allen Poe

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  Pestilence and Squalor pervade every part of society. Yet, the mighty Prospero must have his party. Enjoy this tale on the folly of parties during an epidemic!

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  Fall Asleep to Pride and...

  Jane Austen

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  Experience Jane Austen's timeless classic, Pride and Prejudice, as you drift off to sleep. This book has been edited, narrated, and produced especially to help you fall asleep. 
  Narrated by Elizabeth Grace for Slumber Studios. 
  Do you find yourself struggling to fall asleep? Perhaps you have insomnia or a racing mind after a long day. No matter what is keeping you up at night, soothing audio stories are one of the most effective ways to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. And that's exactly what we do at Slumber Studios. 
  So close your eyes, relax, and let the soothing voice of Elizabeth Grace guide you through the romantic tale of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. As you listen to the gentle and melodic tone of the narration, let your mind wander and immerse yourself in the world of Georgian England. Follow Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates the social norms of her time, deals with family drama, and ultimately falls in love. 
  Our audiobooks are expertly crafted to help you relax and drift off to sleep. Each episode is designed to instill calm, with a slower pace and soothing background music, ensuring that you will be lulled into a peaceful slumber. 
  So if you're looking for a way to unwind after a long day, you've come to the right place. 
  Simply press play, lay down in bed, and let Elizabeth Grace's calming voice transport you into a world of dreams. You'll wake up feeling refreshed and recharged in the morning.

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  Super-Neutron

  Isaac Asimov

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  "Super-Neutron" is a science fiction short story by American writer Isaac Asimov, originally published in the September 1941 issue of Astonishing Stories, and included in the 1972 collection The Early Asimov.

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  War and Peace

  Leo Tolstoy

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  War and Peace is a literary work by Russian author Leo Tolstoy. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the work mixes fictional narrative with chapters discussing history and philosophy. First published serially beginning in 1865, the work was rewritten and published in its entirety in 1869. It is regarded as Tolstoy's finest literary achievement and remains an internationally praised classic of world literature.
  The work chronicles the Napoleonic era within Russia, notably detailing the French invasion of Russia and its aftermath. The book highlights the impact of Napoleon on Tsarist society through five interlocking narratives following different Russian aristocratic families. Portions of an earlier version, titled The Year 1805, were serialized in The Russian Messenger from 1865 to 1867 before the novel was published in its entirety in 1869.
  Tolstoy said that the best Russian literature does not conform to standards and hence hesitated to classify War and Peace, saying it is "not a novel, even less is it a poem, and still less a historical chronicle". Large sections, especially the later chapters, are philosophical discussions rather than narrative. He regarded Anna Karenina as his first true novel.

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  The Complete Fables

  Aesop Aesop

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  Discover the Wisdom That Shaped the World.
  
  For over 2,500 years, the fables of Aesop have served as the ultimate guide to human nature, ethics, and common sense. This definitive collection brings together every one of these legendary tales—from the race between the Tortoise and the Hare to the hard-learned lesson of the Boy Who Cried Wolf.
  
  Written in a style that is both simple enough for a child and profound enough for a philosopher, these stories use the animal kingdom to mirror the virtues and vices of humanity. Whether it is the Lion and the Mouse teaching us that no act of kindness is ever wasted, or the Fox and the Grapes warning us against "sour grapes," Aesop's insights remain as relevant today as they were in Ancient Greece.
  
  This Complete Fables edition is a must-have for families, educators, and collectors of classic literature. Each story concludes with its famous "moral," making this book an invaluable tool for character building and a delightful journey into the roots of storytelling.
  
  Own the foundation of moral philosophy. Buy "Aesop: The Complete Fables" today and share these timeless lessons with the next generation.

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