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A Horseman in the Sky

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A Horseman in the Sky

By: Ambrose Bierce
Narrated by: Walter Zimmerman
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A sentry falls asleep at his post, leading to dire consequences. This is a classic tale about the terrible cost of the Civil War, which divided entire families.©1979 Jimcin Recordings (P)1979 Jimcin Recordings Anthologies Anthologies & Short Stories Classics Short Story
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Editor reviews

Walter Zimmerman’s somber yet expressive voice complements “A Horseman in the Sky”, a short story by Ambrose Bierce that is set during the American Civil War. Protagonist Carter Druse, an only child born to wealthy parents in Western Virginia, joins a Union regiment against his father’s wishes. One afternoon, he falls asleep at his post in a clump of laurel and wakes to see an enemy solider sitting upon a horse. For a moment, Druse is unable to fire, but quickly finds the courage to submit to duty. This tale makes clear the devastating impact of the war upon families.

Critic reviews

"Reminiscent of Poe's tales of horror and marked by an ingenious use of the surprise ending, a sardonic humor, and a realistic study of tense emotional states." ( The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature)
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