Best quote from Ambrose Bierce: The Bitter Major and His Mysterious Disappearance
He spent his life writing about mysterious vanishings and people who weren't what they seemed, and then he became one. In a way, his disappearance was his final masterpiece.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Ambrose Bierce, life, writings, sayings, ideas, fun facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Ambrose Bierce was a prominent American journalist and author celebrated for his satire, horror fiction, and war stories. Known for his sharp wit and tendency to challenge the intellectual security of his peers, he earned a reputation as a master of the trick ending. His career was defined by a massive body of work that explored the darker sides of humanity before his life took a turn that mirrored his own mysterious fiction.
In 1913, at seventy-one years old, Ambrose Bierce essentially deleted himself from history by walking off the map. Instead of retiring, he packed a bag and crossed into Mexico during a literal revolution. It has been over one hundred and twelve years since anyone has seen a trace of him, making his departure the ultimate mic drop ending for a man who spent his life writing about unexplainable disappearances.
While Ambrose Bierce told reporters he wanted to witness the Mexican Revolution firsthand, his personal letters suggested a darker motivation for his journey. He expressed a desire for a meaningful way to depart this life rather than dying of old age or accidents like falling down cellar stairs. Having seen the worst of humanity throughout his career, he chose to step into the shadows of a war zone at an age when most people slow down.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
