To say that Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (1842-1914?), whose life spanned 72 years (possibly more), lived an interesting life is an understatement.

Bierce enlisted in the Union Army's 9th Indiana Infantry regiment early in the war. He served as a topographical engineer, and saw action at the battles of Shiloh, Rich Mountain, and Kennesaw Mountain, where he sustained a serious head wound.

After the war, he journeyed west with a military expedition in 1866, and finally landed in San Francisco. He became a noted journalist, and contributor/editor for a number of local newspapers and periodicals. Eventually, he wound up in the employ of William Randolph Hearst at the San Francisco Examiner. His short stories are held among the best of the 19th century, and include his Civil War story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."

This month's speaker, Dr. Joe Wagner, will be bringing us all the details of Ambrose Bierce's remarkable life, along with a film showing of this short story.

Dr. Wagner, who has spoken to our Round Table on several previous occasions, graduated from medical school at the University of Toronto. He came to the U.S. for his post-graduate training, and began to study American history in preparation for his U.S. citizenship exams. He began reading extensively about the Civil War, and has never stopped.

He enjoyed a long career in private practice as an orthopaedic surgeon, as well as teaching at UCLA, where he was an Assistant Clinical Professor. He and his wife, Dolores, reside in Los Angeles.

Please join us as we learn more about this colorful character, and enjoy one of his best known stories.

Janet Whaley
Program Chair

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