The Devil's Dictionary: Amazon.ca: Ambrose Bierce: Books

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"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 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Book Description

The Devil's Dictionary was begun in a weekly paper in 1881, and was continued in a desultory way at long intervals until 1906. In that year a large part of it was published in covers with the title The Cynic's Word Book, a name which the author had not the power to reject or happiness to approve. Meantime, too, some of the enterprising humorists of the country had helped themselves to such parts of the work as served their needs, and many of its definitions, anecdotes, phrases and so forth, had become more or less current in popular speech. This explanation is made, not with any pride of priority in trifles, but in simple denial of possible charges of plagiarism, which is no trifle. In merely resuming his own the author hopes to be held guiltless by those to whom the work is addressed -- enlightened souls who prefer dry wines to sweet, sense to sentiment, wit to humor and clean English to slang.

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ABASEMENT, n. A decent and customary mental attitude in the presence of wealth or power. Read the first page

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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt

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Customer Reviews

24 Reviews

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4.8 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive collection, July 21 2003

By

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER) (HALL OF FAME)

This review is from: The Devil's Dictionary (Paperback)

'The Devil's Dictionary' is an interesting, very intellectually cynical collection of proposed definitions to words collected by Ambrose Gwinett Bierce, a journalist, writer, Civil War veteran, and general misanthrope, who disappeared without a trace in Mexico about 1914. In the words of H.L. Mencken, Bierce has produced 'some of the most gorgeous witticism of the English language.' Bierce delights in irreverence and poking fun at all aspects of life.

Bierce's own definition of dictionary gives some insight into his general thought patterns:

'Dictionary, n. A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. This dictionary, however, is a most useful work.'

This would lead us to conclude (most correctly) that Bierce is a world-class cynic. What is a cynic?

'Cynic, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a cynic's eyes to improve his vision.'

Originally published under the title 'The Cynic's Word Book', most of the definitions in this book originally appeared as part newspaper columns. There have been many imitators, but this is the first and finest collection. Arranged as a dictionary, it provides an interesting writer's tool for finding a unique perspective on words and phrases. There are more than 1000 entries. A few examples include:

'Outdo, v.t., To make an enemy.'

'Universalist, n. One who foregoes the advantage of a Hell for persons of another faith.'

Fair warning -- those who do not like cynicism and scathing wit will find this book irritating, and sometimes offensive. Bierce is a product of his generation; political correctness wasn't in vogue then, and, even if it had been, Bierce would have been one of the sharpest critics.

As a Christian priest, I take great delight in the insights from Bierce's criticism of religion in general, and Christianity in particular.

'Christian, n. One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the needs of his neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin.'

Why does this ring so true? Of course, there is the old adage that if you scratch a cynic, you'll find an idealist. Bierce would undoubtedly have described himself as a realist, but buried beneath many layers of cynicism, one can sense the idealism.

Why did Bierce go to Mexico? Perhaps his underlying idealism led him to a country that was awash in revolutionary ideas; perhaps those ideas are what cost him his life. Perhaps he went underground? It is possible we will never know.

The publisher of this volume, one of but many reprints of the text over time, says: 'The caustic aphorisms collected in "The Devil's Dictionary" helped earn Ambrose Bierce the epithets Bitter Bierce, the Devil's Lexicographer, and the Wickedest Man in San Francisco. The words he shaped into verbal pitchforks a century ago--with or without the devil's help--can still draw blood today.'

This book is very useful for generating ideas for writing and reflection. It is a good counterpoint to 'guides to positive thinking' kinds of material, and can serve as a tempering agent on such collections.

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4.0 out of 5 stars For Those Who Love Language Wit, Feb 20 2008

By

Richard Soulliere "tarzan the canuck" (Ottawa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Devil's Dictionary (Paperback)

Definitely one for a person libary, but not for the overly sensitive. This book, written over 150 years ago, is a dictionary, but the definitions are very witty, true, and carry a negative air that, combined, make it humourous. A good read that can get your creative juices flowing (although that doesn't mean you need to agree or support the definitions).

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5.0 out of 5 stars ... and wicked!, April 25 2003

By

Elaine Raisch (WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Devil's Dictionary (Paperback)

This is a slender book, but each page drips with sophisticated, envenomed attacks on almost everything. Bierce's wicked sarcasm would probably appeal to those who enjoy the dry humor of Britcoms!

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy Addition to Your Library
A veteran of the 1861-65 U.S. Civil War who mysteriously disappeared during the 1910-20 Mexican Civil War, the caustically irreverent Bierce was the H. L. Read more

Published on April 17 2003 by RenegadeScholar.com

4.0 out of 5 stars Evil Fun at all our Expenses
Picked up a copy of The Devil's Dictionary as a jaded all-black wearing angst-ridden teenager and I never snickered so much with any other book in my life. Read more

Published on Mar 13 2003 by safflowerangelica