This anthology presents a curated selection of short fiction that captures the evolution of the form across two centuries. Editor V. S. Pritchett selects forty stories to demonstrate the breadth of the short story as a literary medium. The collection functions as a survey of narrative techniques, ranging from early 19th-century realism to mid-20th-century experimentation. Each entry operates within its own distinct world, presenting varied thematic concerns and structural frameworks that reflect the cultural shifts of the English-speaking world.

Readers and critics often characterize this collection as a foundational resource for understanding the history of the short story. Discussion frequently centers on the editor's specific choices and the balance between canonical authors and those less recognized in contemporary anthologies. Many observers highlight the effectiveness of the chronological organization in illustrating how the genre has adapted over time. The volume is frequently cited for its ability to provide a comprehensive overview of the form's stylistic diversity without becoming overly academic or inaccessible to the general reader.