"This volume, part of The Library of America's historic new five-volume edition of James's world-famous stories, gathers his first 24 published stories. Diverse in subject, setting, and formal technique, they show the young James equally at ease writing historical tales or exploring contemporary events, as in three stories that treat the effects of the Civil War on civilians.

James very early exhibited his famous psychological acuity, as in "Master Eustace," a study of a spoiled child's emotional ruthlessness, and "Guest's Confession," a comic portrayal of the narcissism of an arrogant businessman. Here are early examples of James's lifelong fascination with art and artists, and the first explorations of some of his most significant themes: the force of social convention and the compromises it demands; the complex and often ambiguous encounter between Europe and America; the energies of human passion measured against the rigors of artistic discipline.

Adumbrating later triumphs, and compelling in their own right, the stories in this volume reveal an accomplished young talent mastering the art of the short story."--BOOK JACKET.