A compilation of classic tales by great American writers performed by terrific actors, with a lineup including Pulitzer Prize winners, National Book Award winners, and PEN Award winners.

Amy Tan's "Rules of the Game" performed by Freda Foh Shen, Donald Barthelme's "Game" performed by David Strathairn, Eudora Welty's "Why I Live at the P.O." performed by Stockard Channing, Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat" performed by Rene Auberjonois, Joyce Carol Oates' "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" performed by Christine Baranski, John Sayles' "At the Anarchists' Convention" performed by Jerry Stiller, Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" performed by Carmen de Lavallade, John Cheever's "Christmas is a Sad Season for the Poor" performed by Malachy McCourt

Presented by Selected Shorts