A collection of twenty-one of the finest short stories by contemporary American masters is presented, celebrating the prestigious Rea Award for the Short Story. The book showcases the work of authors honored by the award, including Cynthia Ozick, Robert Coover, Donald Barthelme, Tobias Wolff, Joyce Carol Oates, Paul Bowles, Eudora Welty, and Grace Paley, as well as prominent writers nominated for the prize such as Ann Beattie, Harold Brodkey, Raymond Carver, Andre Dubus, Richard Ford, James Salter, and John Updike. Jurors, including Joy Williams and Stanley Elkin, selected these pieces, highlighting the enduring significance of the short story form in American literature.

This anthology is presented as a significant compilation of contemporary American short fiction, drawing from the esteemed Rea Award for the Short Story. The selection of stories by celebrated authors and jurors suggests a focus on literary merit and the enduring power of the short story. The collection aims to showcase the finest work from writers who have shaped and continue to influence the genre.