The Irish short story, Frank O'Connor believes, is 'a distinct art form' and the stories he has chosen for this collection show how the form has remained peculiary itself while being developed in various ways in response to changing social and political conditions. The authors are George Moore, Somerville and Ross, Daniel Corkery, James Joyce, James Stephens, Liam O'Flaherty, L. A. G. Strong, Seán O'Faoláin, Frank O'Connor, Eric Cross, Michael McLaverty, Bryan MacMahon, Mary Lavin, James Plunkett, and Elizabeth Bowen.

