Edward J. O'Brien was a prominent American editor, critic, and anthologist known for his contributions to the promotion and recognition of short fiction. His annual anthologies, such as "The Best Short Stories" series, aimed to highlight outstanding works of short fiction and to provide a snapshot of the literary landscape of each year.In addition to the selected stories, "The Yearbook of the American Short Story" component of the anthology typically includes critical essays, reviews, and commentary on the state of the short story genre in America at the time. This additional material provides readers with context and insights into the literary trends and developments of the era.