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An incomparable satirist, Ambrose Bierce became the "laughing devil" of the San Francisco news media, for he was about as discreet as a runaway locomotive, according to H.L.Mencken, and nowhere are his uninhibited irony and gift for verse parody more in evidence than in this "dictionary".
About the Author
AMBROSE BIERCE (1842-1913) American satirist, critic, short story writer, editor and journalist. He is perhaps most famous for his serialized mock lexicon, THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY in which, over the years, he scathed American culture and accepted wisdom by pointing out alternate, more practical definitions for common words.
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A. The first letter in every properly constructed alphabet. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
A. The first letter in every properly constructed alphabet. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Dictionary: A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and elastic."
Before he disappeared into Mexico in 1913, never to be heard of again, the acerbic Ambrose Bierce had left behind a great body of journalism, satire and fiction, but 'The Devil's Dictionary' is what he'll be remembered for.
It's a bleak satirical work, taking apart received ideas and redefining ordinary words to give an acid, ironic view of human affairs. Whether Bierce is throwing off a quick quip "Brute: see Husband" or looking at something from a wholly original angle (the definition of the cross for example), what emerges is a deeply cynical, darkly humourous view of the world.
Whether you dip in and out for some sardonic entertainment, or read it cover to cover (perhaps keeping something like P.G. Wodehouse to hand for when Bierce's bile becomes too overwhelming, this is a book to be treasured, a sheer slice of black philosophy.
Surrounded by humbug and spin, it's a relief to read someone who couldn't be naive if he tried.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Two years short of its centenary, this book is as relevant as ever it was, and wickedly funny to boot. Try this for size:
POLITICS, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
Now if that's not relevant to today's political arena, then I'm a lawyer.
LAWYER, n. One skilled in circumvention of the law.
Essential reading. Enough said.
POLITICS, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.
Now if that's not relevant to today's political arena, then I'm a lawyer.
LAWYER, n. One skilled in circumvention of the law.
Essential reading. Enough said.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A breath of fresh air considering the times it was written in! Bierce turns ordinary words into little acid anecdotes about the human condition; think of Ms Dorothy Parker Vs Spike Milligan! How on earth he got away with some of the interpretations in such a time is unbelievable! A book to dip into now and again and a laugh out loud tour de force of down to earth take-it-of-leave-it wisdom, a must for any bookshelf. DMF
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