Ambrose Bierce books in order
American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist
- Lived
- 1842–1914
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 23
- Also writes as
- Dod Grile, William Herman
Ambrose Bierce published 1 novel, 11 short story collections, 1 poetry collection and 10 other books, beginning with Fantastic Debunking Fables (1899). The best-known is The Devil's Dictionary (1912).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Ambrose Bierce
Standalone novels in order
The Devil's Dictionary (1912)
Short story collections in order
Cobwebs from an Empty Skull (1874)
In the Midst of Life (1891)
Fantastic Debunking Fables (1899)
Great Short Stories of the World (1922)
Understanding Fiction (1943)
The Collected Writings of Ambrose Bierce (1946)
Ghost Stories (1956)
Ghost and Horror Stories of Ambrose Bierce [24 Stories] (1964)
Great American Short Stories [34 Stories] (1977)
Poetry in order
Shapes of Clay (1903)
Other books in order
Nuggets and Dust Panned Out in California (Principle Works of Ambrose Gwinett Bierce) (1872)
The Fiend's Delight (1872)
The Dance of Death (1877)
Black Beetles in Amber (1892)
Little Masterpieces of American Wit and Humor--Volume II (1906)
The Cynic's Word Book (1906)
The Shadow on the Dial (1909)
Write It Right (1909)
A Cynic Looks at Life (1912)
A Subtreasury of American Humor (1945)
Free to read
All free classicsThe Damned Thing
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 02
Fantastic Fables
The Letters of Ambrose Bierce, With a Memoir by George Sterling
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 08
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 01
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 10
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 11
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 12
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 09
The monk and the hangman's daughter
The Parenticide Club
A Son of the Gods, and A Horseman in the Sky
About Ambrose Bierce
Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American author, journalist, and poet. A prolific and versatile writer, Bierce was regarded as one of the most influential journalists in the United States and as a pioneering writer of realist fiction. For his horror writing, Michael Dirda ranked him alongside Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft. S. T. Joshi speculates that "he may well be the greatest satirist America has ever produced, and in this regard can take his place with such figures as Juvenal, Swift, and Voltaire." His war stories influenced Stephen Crane, Ernest Hemingway and others, and he was considered an influential and feared literary critic. In recent decades, Bierce has gained wider respect as a fabulist and poet.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Ambrose Bierce FAQ
- How many books has Ambrose Bierce written?
- Ambrose Bierce published 1 novel, 11 short story collections, 1 poetry collection and 10 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Ambrose Bierce's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Devil's Dictionary.
- What is Ambrose Bierce's last book?
- Present at a Hanging and Other Ghost Stories (1913).
- What is Ambrose Bierce's most famous book?
- The Devil's Dictionary (1912) is Ambrose Bierce's most widely read book.
- Does Ambrose Bierce write under a pen name?
- Yes: Ambrose Bierce has also published as Dod Grile and William Herman.
- Can I read Ambrose Bierce's books for free?
- Yes. 25 books by Ambrose Bierce are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Ambrose Bierce
Edgar Allan Poe
Also wrote children's books and horror
M. R. James
Also wrote children's books and short stories
Rudyard Kipling
Also wrote children's books and short stories
Louisa May Alcott
Also wrote children's books and short stories
Kate Chopin
Also wrote short stories and children's books
Kenneth Grahame
Also wrote children's books and short stories
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.