This book contains a lot of the short stories written by Ambrose Bierce. The uncanny and the fantastic makes me think about other 19th century tales, like E.T.A. Hoffman, Charles Nodier or Théophile Gautier. But because it originates in the States, the background is always about the Civil War and the repercussions this war has had on the minds of people susceptible to the fantastic elements.
I find echos of Bierce's influence in James Lee Burke's novel, 'In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead', when the main character, Dave Robicheau, is suffering from frequent hallucinations about a confederate character. Very atmospheric and tense, Bierce's stories always change the normal setting with uncanny elements, making his tales a good reflection about the importance of ghost stories when the times are rough. ( )