Chapters

18 total

INTRODUCTION by RAY LONG

4:14

FOREWORD

5:32

The GAY OLD DOG[1] By Edna Ferber

47:48

FOREWORD

3:51

The ESCAPE of MR. TRIMM[2] By IRVIN S. COBB

1:10:01

FOREWORD

6:20

POINT[3] BY PETER B. KYNE

40:49

FOREWORD

1:06

KAZAN[4] BY JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD

20:19

II

5:05
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Description

Step into an intimate literary salon where six of the era’s most celebrated writers gather over coffee to reveal the one tale each holds dearest. Guided by an editor’s warm introduction, the collection opens with personal anecdotes that set the tone for a series of short stories hand‑picked for their lasting appeal.

The selections span a rich tapestry of moods and settings— from heartfelt domestic scenes to rugged frontier adventures, witty humor to poignant romance. Each author’s unique voice shines through, offering a glimpse of the craft that earned them enduring popularity, while the stories themselves remain accessible and engaging for any listener.

Beyond entertainment, the volume serves as a masterclass in storytelling, illustrating how thoughtful imagination and diligent effort create work that resonates across generations. Whether you’re a devoted reader or an aspiring writer, these beloved pieces provide both pleasure and insight into what makes a story truly stand the test of time.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~5 hours (304K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Original publisher

United States: International Magazine, 1925.

Credits

Laura Natal Rodrigues at Free Literature (Images generously made available by Hathi Trust Digital Library.)

Release date

Jul 23, 2021

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the authors

Irvin S. (Irvin Shrewsbury) Cobb

Irvin S. (Irvin Shrewsbury) Cobb

1876–1944

A Kentucky-born journalist turned celebrated humorist, he built a national reputation with lively stories, newspaper writing, and the much-loved Judge Priest tales. His work mixes sharp observation with warmth, small-town color, and an easy storytelling style.

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James Oliver Curwood

James Oliver Curwood

1878–1927

Known for fast-moving adventure stories set in the far North, he turned his travels and love of wilderness into hugely popular fiction. He was also a vocal conservationist, giving his books an energetic outdoors spirit that still feels vivid today.

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Edna Ferber

Edna Ferber

1885–1968

Best known for big, vividly American stories, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist helped inspire classics like Show Boat, Cimarron, and Giant. Her work mixed sharp social observation with a gift for unforgettable settings and strong-willed characters.

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Peter B. (Peter Bernard) Kyne

Peter B. (Peter Bernard) Kyne

1880–1957

A bestselling American storyteller of adventure, business, and the West, he turned firsthand experience into fast-moving fiction that reached millions of readers. His tales were so popular that many were adapted for the screen, including the often-retold The Three Godfathers.

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Meredith Nicholson

Meredith Nicholson

1866–1947

A bestselling Indiana novelist, journalist, and diplomat, he wrote brisk, entertaining fiction that made him a national name in the early 1900s. Today he is especially remembered for The House of a Thousand Candles and for his place in Indiana's literary golden age.

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H. C. (Harry Charles) Witwer

H. C. (Harry Charles) Witwer

1890–1929

A lively American short-story writer whose fast, funny tales helped shape silent-era screen comedy. His work inspired dozens of film shorts, and his stories often mixed sports, swagger, and sharp humor.

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