It is not at all easy to compile a handful of short stories from the vast corpus of work that O. Henry has left behind. Nevertheless this collection has tried to capture the art as well as the nuances that are the hallmark of O. Henry's writings. These selected stories not only give the reader a chance to read some of the best known of his works but also bear ample evidence of the wide range of his writings. On the one hand we find the greatest Christmas story of all times “The Gift of the Magi” while on the other there is “Shamrock Jolnes” providing the American answer to the man from Baker Street. O. Henry's depiction of the city, New York, and his fascination with it, resulted in a number of memorable stories, some of which have been included here. A collection that contains the O. Henry distillate – this is a must-read for all short story lovers as well as for those who want to take a dip into the world of classics.