The Devil's Dictionary - Softcover

Bierce, Ambrose

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1507771274 ISBN 13: 9781507771273

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015

Synopsis

What other kind of dictionary would you expect from the pen of Ambrose Bierce? A noted journalist, Bierce’s first job was as a printer’s “devil.” A cynic extraordinaire, he first saw publication of this work in 1906 under the title THE CYNIC'S WORD BOOK. Having endured and been been badly wounded in the Civil War, Bierce might be excused a somewhat jaundiced view of the human condition. Perhaps due to the author’s journalistic experiences, the reader will note a particular cynicism toward politics and politicians (see definition below). And a failed marriage did nothing to enhance is views of romance. Thankfully for the reader, Ambrose Bierce has turned to wit and humor rather than to bitterness. Yes, he is cynical, but delightfully so. ABSURDITY, n. A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with one's own opinion. ALONE, adj. In bad company. LOVE, n. A temporary insanity curable by marriage... NEIGHBOR, n. One whom we are commanded to love as ourselves, and who does all he knows how to make us disobedient. POLITICIAN, n. An eel in the fundamental mud upon which the superstructure of organized society is reared. RATTLESNAKE, n. Our prostrate brother. SCRIPTURES, n. The sacred books of our holy religion, as distinguished from the false and profane writings on which all other faiths are based. CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE J. Milton Sloluck Jum Coople Hannibal Hunsiker Worgum Slupsky (and others from the author’s extraordinary imagination)

About this title

Review:

"An enjoyable work, fun to read as well as thought-provoking....Just because the dictionary is 90 years old doesn't make it any less apropos for modern readers."--Naples Daily News

About the Author:

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (1842 - 1914) was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist. He wrote the short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and compiled a satirical lexicon, The Devil's Dictionary. His vehemence as a critic, his motto "Nothing matters", and the sardonic view of human nature that informed his work, all earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce". --Wikipedia

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1507771274
• ISBN 13: 9781507771273
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 158