Ireland has always been a nation of story-tellers – tall stories, simple stories, stories of mystery and wonder, love and violence – and Irish short-story writers are perhaps the most talented in the world. This magnificent anthology chronicles the development of a rich literary tradition from the earliest folktales to James Joyce, Liam O'Flaherty, and the rising stars of a new generation. William Trevor, described as `perhaps the finest short-story writer in the English language', has collected 45 stories representing the best of Irish short fiction: He includes several longer stories such as the masterly `Albert Nobbs' by George Moore and Seumas O'Kelly's `The Weaver's Grave' which shows these writers at the peak of their form; and there are also distinguished contributions from Oliver Goldsmith, Maria Edgeworth, William Carleton, Sheridan Le Fanu, Sean O'Faolain, Frank O'Connor, and Elizabeth Bowen among others. This splendid addition to the popular Oxford Books series will be welcomed by everyone who enjoys short stories.