First published in 1913, Present at a Hanging and Other Ghost Stories by Ambrose Bierce (1842-c. 1914) is a masterful collection of supernatural tales that explore the boundaries of life, death, and the unknown. Known for his incisive wit and darkly cynical worldview, Bierce brings a sharp, unsettling edge to the genre of ghost stories. These tales, often short and chillingly direct, reflect his fascination with the macabre and his ability to infuse horror with a uniquely psychological dimension.