The best short stories of 1916, and the yearbook of the American short story

This literary time capsule gathers a wide-ranging selection of American short fiction from 1916. Its stories move across intimate family dramas, small-town conflicts, romance, hardship, mystery, and moments of quiet psychological tension, offering glimpses of the people and places that shaped early twentieth-century American storytelling. Some selections are wry and observant, while others are somber, atmospheric, or sharply dramatic.

Alongside the fiction, the volume serves as a yearbook of the short-story world: readers will find reflections on the year’s publishing, magazine averages, an index of stories, and a record of notable deaths in literary life. The collection is especially appealing for listeners who enjoy discovering varied voices within a single program and hearing how writers of the period approached character, setting, and social change. Together, the stories and editorial material create a broad portrait of American fiction at a distinctive moment in its development.