Ambrose Bierce's Civil War

[HerbS]

I have always enjoyed his unique style.My favorite stories are,"An Occurrence at Owel Creek Bridge"and"What I Saw At Shiloh".

[BettyO]

(07-23-2012 10:25 AM)HerbS Wrote:  I have always enjoyed his unique style.My favorite stories are,"An Occurrence at Owel Creek Bridge"and"What I Saw At Shiloh".

I love Bierce as well, Herb! Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is great -- there is also a movie. We watched it in college. Ever seen it? It's eerie!

[HerbS]

Yes Betty,I think we saw the same movie.That's why I wanted to learn more about Bierce!

[JMadonna]

He was one of my favorites too.
Maybe he found his wormhole and will return someday.

http://www.yeomansinthefork.com/blog/201...ose-Bierce

[HerbS]

Thanks-Jerry!Why do you think I picked Custer as my Avatar?

[Craig Hipkins]

Isn't that the one that Rod Serling adapted for an episode of The Twilight Zone? I saw that when I was a kid at the town library and still remember it.

[LincolnMan]

Craig: I believe you are correct on the Twilight Zone reference. Sure don't make shows like that anymore!

[HerbS]

Thanks to all of you for remembering that movie--It is still in my head.

[Craig Hipkins]

(07-24-2012 12:04 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Craig: I believe you are correct on the Twilight Zone reference. Sure don't make shows like that anymore!

Bill,
You've got that right!

Craig

[LincolnMan]

Allen C. Guelzo in an article "Bierce's Civil War" from the Civil War Times had this to say about him: "Ambrose Bierce would probably have been happier if he had never been born. Failing that, he would certainly have been more happy if he had not survived the Civil War; or, if he had, he would have been far happier if he had never left the army at war's end. Instead, almost against his will, he went on to become one of the sharpest American humorists who ever put pen to page, and today Bierce ranks second only to Samuel Clemens as a sarcastic chronicler of the quaint, the ridiculous, and downright idiotic in American life...his recollections of the war turned up full of routine stupidities, wasted braveries, and empty illusions."

[HerbS]

Bill,I always knew that Bierce was a unique character.But,your information sums it up!-Thanks-Herb

[LincolnMan]

Thanks Herb for making the thread. I've always enjoyed his writings too.

[Hess1865]

(07-23-2012 08:58 PM)Craig Hipkins Wrote:  Isn't that the one that Rod Serling adapted for an episode of The Twilight Zone? I saw that when I was a kid at the town library and still remember it.

Actually that was not a Serling adaptation.
It was a French film of 'OAOCB' that impressed him so much that he made an arrangement for a once only showing of it on the Twilight Zone
Thats why you never see it pop up in any Zone reruns or TZ marathons.
Showtime ran it again back in the 80's, and I recorded it, though I dont know where the tape is.
But don't worry-Netflix has it availiable for rental!!

[HerbS]

Ambrose Bierce and Henry Villard,In my opinion,the two best"In the trenches"reporters of the Civil War Era.Bierce was weird,but,unique in his style.Villard reported what he saw,and at times he would interject his own feelings.They do remind me of Pyle's skill of writing about combat!

[Kieran McAuliffe]

Those who remember the 1960s production of Occurance At Owl Creek Bridge can watch it on YouTube. You can find the complete half hour production, not just snippets. It was a French production. I too was thrilled with the story when I saw it almost 50 years ago, and it led me to read other Bierce stories.