The Middle Toe of the Right Foot The Middle Toe of the Right Foot "The Middle Toe of the Right Foot" is a ghost story by American Civil War soldier, wit, and writer Ambrose Bierce. It was first published in "The San Francisco Examiner" on April 17, 1890 and was reprinted the following year as part of "Tales of Soldiers and Civilians". The plot was apparently inspired by the front page "Examiner" news story from November 14, 1888 which described "an improbable duel with bowie knives in a suitably darkened room". A man named Manton has horribly killed his two children and his wife, the latter of
What Is the What writes: "Over the course of many years, Dave and I have collaborated to tell my story... I told [him] what I knew and what I could remember, and from that material he created this work of art." The book is typical of Eggers' style: blending non-fictional and fictional elements into a non-fiction novel or memoir. By classifying the book a novel, Eggers says, he freed himself to re-create conversations, streamline complex relationships, add relevant detail and manipulate time and space in helpful ways—all while maintaining the essential truthfulness of the storytelling. However, not all critics were impressed. Lee Siegel sees