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Title: A Watcher by the Dead

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Title: A Watcher by the Dead Title Record # 94233
Author: Ambrose Bierce
Date: 1889-12-29
Type: SHORTFICTION
Length: short story
Language: English
Note: First published in the San Francisco Examiner, December 29, 1889.
Synopsis: Three physicians test their theories about fear by getting a man to sit all night beside a corpse.
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Current Tags: fear of corpses (1) Add Tags

Other Titles

Translations
Year Language Title
1947 French Le veilleur de la mort [as by Ambrosius Bierce]
1961ⓘTranslated by Maria von Schweinitz
 German Die Totenwache
1963ⓘTranslated by Gisela Günther
 German Eine Totenwache
1967ⓘTranslated by A. L. Spoorenberg
 Dutch De dodenwacht
1973ⓘTranslated by Mihai Rădulescu and Grigore Năstase
 Romanian
De veghe lângă mort?De veghe langa mort
1974ⓘTranslated by Frida Papadache
 Romanian
Un priveghi de pomină?Un priveghi de pomina
1981ⓘTranslated by Giuseppe Lippi
 Italian La guardia al morto
1987 French Le mort et son veilleur
1988ⓘTranslated by Gianni Pilo
 Italian Una sentinella dal morto

Publications

Displaying all variants and translations • Do not display translations • Do not display variants or translations

Title Date Author/Editor Publisher/Pub. Series ISBN/Catalog ID Price Pages Format Type Cover Artist Verif
Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1891-00-00 Ambrose Bierce E. L. G. Steele     300
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1892-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Chatto & Windus     vi+
244
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1898-00-00 Ambrose Bierce G. P. Putnam's Sons     vi+
362
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1909-00-00 Ambrose Bierce The Neale Publishing Company (The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce #2)     403
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll Checkmark
In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1910-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Chatto & Windus     244
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1918-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Boni & Liveright  
$2.00?$: US dollar
 403
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1918-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Boni & Liveright  
$2.00?$: US dollar
 403
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1930-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Chatto & Windus (Phoenix Library)  
2/6?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 244
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
The Second Century of Creepy Stories 1937-00-00 ed. Sir Hugh Walpole Hutchinson  
3/6?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 1023
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth  
In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1941-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Chatto & Windus (Pelham Library)     244
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1943-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Heritage Press  
$3.50?$: US dollar
 xxx+
222
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll Paul Landacre  
Seven More Strange Stories 1945-00-00 ed. John L. Hardie Art & Educational Publishers  
1/3?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 80
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 anth  
Twenty-Two Strange Stories 1945-00-00 ed. John L. Hardie Art & Educational Publishers  
8/6?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 280
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth  
La gerbe noire 1947-00-00 ed. Jean Ray La Sixaine (Le roman noir)     231
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 anth Lubsis  
Terror at Night 1947-00-00 ed. Herbert Williams Avon Book Co. (New Avon Library #110) 110
$0.25?$: US dollar
 194
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 anth George Mayers Checkmark
Appointment with Fear 1948-00-00 ed. Ronald Flatteau Fenmore Publications  
2/-?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 116
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 anth  
The Stakes Are High 1954-09-00 Brent Ashabranner Pennant Books P64
$0.25?$: US dollar
 168
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 coll Harry Borgman Checkmark
Best Horror Stories 1957-00-00 ed. John Keir Cross Faber and Faber  
15/-?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 300
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth  
Panik: Gruselgeschichten aus England und Amerika von R. L. Stevenson bis Ernest Hemingway 1961-00-00 ed. Mary Hottinger Diogenes  
DM 19.80?DM: German (Deutsche) mark
 449+
[3]
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth Paul Flora  
Spine Chillers: An Anthology of Mystery and Horror 1961-00-00 ed. Elizabeth Lee (anthologist) Elek  
25/-?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 528
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth  
Best Horror Stories 1962-00-00 ed. John Keir Cross Faber and Faber (Faber Paper Covered Editions)  
6/-?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 300
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 anth  
The Curse of Dracula and Other Terrifying Tales 1962-00-00 ed. Charles Higham Horwitz PB111
A3/9?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 130
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 anth Frank Benier  
Mein Lieblingsmord 1963-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Insel  
DM 12.80?DM: German (Deutsche) mark
 221
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
Ghost and Horror Stories of Ambrose Bierce 1964-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Dover Publications  
$1.00?$: US dollar
 199
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 coll  
Summoned from the Tomb: Great Tales of Horror 1966-10-00 ed. Peter Haining Brown, Watson R968
3/6?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 160
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 anth  
Dat vervloekte ding en andere griezelverhalen 1967-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Meulenhoff (Meesters der Fantastische Vertelkunst #9) F9
ƒ2.50?ƒ: Dutch guilder
 159
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 coll Sanne Sannes Checkmark
The Edge of the Chair 1967-00-00 ed. Joan Kahn Harper & Row 0-06-012238-2
$6.95?$: US dollar
 xii+
560
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth  
Die besten klassischen und modernen Gruselgeschichten von Poe bis Hemingway 1968-00-00 ed. Mary Hottinger Diogenes  
DM 12.80?DM: German (Deutsche) mark
 452+
[3]
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth Paul Flora  
Das Spukhaus 1969-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Insel (Bibliothek des Hauses Usher)  
DM 12.80?DM: German (Deutsche) mark
 173
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll Ute Osterwalder , Hans Ulrich Osterwalder  
Skeleton Keys: Tales from the Edge of the Chair 1969-08-00 ed. Joan Kahn Dell 8028
$0.75?$: US dollar
 317
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 anth Lombadaro Checkmark
The Complete Short Stories of Ambrose Bierce 1970-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Doubleday     496
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll Alex Gotfryd  
Tales of Soldiers and Civilians 1971-00-00 Ambrose Bierce The Easton Press (Masterpieces of American Literature)     xxx+
222
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll Checkmark
Povestiri stranii: pagini antologice din literatura Anglo-saxonă?Povestiri stranii: pagini antologice din literatura Anglo-saxona
 1973-00-00 ed.
Grigore Năstase?Grigore Nastase
,
Mihai Rădulescu?Mihai Radulescu
 Editura Dacia (Scorpionul)     362
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 anth L. Bardocz  
Summoned from the Tomb: Great Tales of Horror 1973-01-00 ed. Peter Haining Sidgwick & Jackson 0-283-97955-0
£2.25?£: UK pound
 ix+
213
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth William Rankin Checkmark
Un călăreț prin cer și alte povestiri?Un cahlahrets prin cer shi alte povestiri
Un calaret prin cer si alte povestiri
 1974-00-00 Ambrose Bierce
Cartea Românească?Cartea Romaneasca
     xxii+
334
unknown?The publication record was created from a secondary source and the publication format is unknown.
 coll Simona Runcan  
Die besten klassischen und modernen Gruselgeschichten von Poe bis Hemingway 1976-00-00 ed. Mary Hottinger Diogenes (Diogenes Sonderband) 3-257-00902-X   452+
[3]
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth Paul Flora Checkmark
Beyond Midnight 1976-11-00 ed. Kirby McCauley Berkley Medallion 0-425-03144-6 / Z3144
$1.25?$: US dollar
 x+
210
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 anth Vincent DiFate Checkmark
Das Spukhaus 1977-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Suhrkamp (Phantastische Bibliothek #6) 3-518-06865-2
DM 5.00?DM: German (Deutsche) mark
 165
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 coll Hans Ulrich Osterwalder , Ute Osterwalder Checkmark
Dat vervloekte ding en andere griezelverhalen 1977-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Het Spectrum (Prisma #1788) 90-274-0916-1   159
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 coll  
Racconti senza respiro. Volume primo 1981-06-05 ed. Kirby McCauley Mondadori (Oscar #1364) 20181-4
Lit 4,000?Lit: Italian lira
 236
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
 anth Paolo Tassinari , Pierpaolo Vetta  
The Best of Ambrose Bierce 1984-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Castle / Book Sales 0-89009-798-4   vi+
484
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 omni  
The Complete Short Stories of Ambrose Bierce 1984-00-00 Ambrose Bierce University of Nebraska Press 0-8032-6071-7   496
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 coll Marvin Cone  
La gerbe noire 1984-01-00 ed. Jean Ray Néo (Fantastique / Science-fiction / Aventures #96) 2-7304-0242-X
F29.00?F: French frank
 230
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 anth Jean-Michel Nicollet Checkmark
Le mort et son veilleur 1987-10-00 Ambrose Bierce Néo (Fantastique / Science-fiction / Aventures #197) 2-7304-0458-9   147
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 coll Jean-Michel Nicollet  
The Devil's Advocate: An Ambrose Bierce Reader 1987-12-00 Ambrose Bierce Chronicle Books 0-87701-401-9
$22.50?$: US dollar
 327
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 omni  
The Collected Writings of Ambrose Bierce 1988-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Picador / Pan Books (Picador Classics) 0-330-29802-X
£6.95?£: UK pound
 xix+
810
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 omni Robin Harris Checkmark
La valle degli spiriti 1988-06-00 Ambrose Bierce Fanucci Editore (I Miti di Cthulhu #28) 88-347-0065-1
Lit 15,000?Lit: Italian lira
 267
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 coll Philippe Druillet  
Bierce After Dark: 30 Strange Tales by Ambrose Bierce 2009-00-00 Ambrose Bierce Coachwhip Publications 978-1-61646-002-0
$9.95?$: US dollar
 167
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 coll  
Ambrose Bierce: Masters of the Weird Tale 2012-07-17 Ambrose Bierce Centipede Press (Masters of the Weird Tale) 978-1-61347-015-2
$350.00?$: US dollar
 600
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 coll  
A Watcher by the Dead 2012-11-30 Ambrose Bierce Baker Press 978-1-4474-6813-4
$9.95?$: US dollar
 24
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 chap  
Ghost and Horror Stories of Ambrose Bierce date unknown Ambrose Bierce Dover Publications 0-486-20767-6
$3.95?$: US dollar
 xxii+
199
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 coll Checkmark
The Complete Short Stories of Ambrose Bierce date unknown Ambrose Bierce University of Nebraska Press 978-0-8032-6071-9
$18.95?$: US dollar
 496
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
 coll Marvin Cone Checkmark
The Second Century of Creepy Stories date unknown ed. Sir Hugh Walpole Hutchinson  
4/6?Prior to decimilisation (1968-1971), UK books were priced in shillings, or shillings and pence, where 20 shillings equals one pound and 12 old pence equals one shilling. Shillings were indicated with a variety of suffixes, e.g. 3s, 3', 3", 3/ all mean 3 shillings. Any number after that is additional pence, usually 6 (half a shilling) but sometimes 3 or 9 (a quarter of a shilling or three-quarters of a shilling).
 1023
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
 anth  
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