This comprehensive anthology of contemporary American short fiction focuses on the story and its context from 1960 to the present. A special Introduction discusses the elements of tone, point of view, character, etc. and ideas such as realism and postmodernism.

The over 50 stories featured in Nguyen and Shreve's anthology range in style from the traditional narrative to experimental forms. Classic stories are juxtaposed with newer, emerging voices. The stories featured are thematically diverse as well, addressing issues of family and culture, love and loss, ethnicity and gender. 1