- Paperback: 246 pages
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1904891055
- ISBN-13: 978-1904891055
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 14.6 x 1.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 299 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
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
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (born June 24, 1842, Horse Cave Creek, Meigs County, Ohio, USA - date of death uncertain, possibly December 1913 or early 1914, presumably in Mexico) was an American satirist, critic, poet, short story writer, editor, and journalist
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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First Sentence
ABASEMENT, n. A decent and customary mental attitude in the presence of wealth or power. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
ABASEMENT, n. A decent and customary mental attitude in the presence of wealth or power. Read the first page
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
A definitive collection
July 21 2003
Format: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.
For Those Who Love Language Wit
Feb 20 2008
Format: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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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
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"
good clean witty fun
This little book is a great way to put things in percpective. Its witty humor and precise sarcastic definitions will take the edge of any bad day.
Published on Dec 7 2002 by M. Hickman
Not your ordinary dictionary
Ambrose Bierce is definitely the past master of the incredible. He has written fantastic stories that are still taught in the English classroom today such as his most famous work... Read more
Published on April 14 2002 by Rocco
Great Book!
A classic that should be read by everyone. Many will hate it but it's a part of every American's heritage -- and probably more relevant in some ways today than when it was written... Read more
Published on Mar 7 2002
Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
This book is an absolute gem, and here is a wonderfully cheap edition, even allowing for conversion to non-USA currency. Read more
Published on Jan 30 2002 by Brian Barratt
Bitter Bierce pleases
The Devil's Dictionary is in fact a dictionary, written not by the devil, but by Ambrose Bierce. He was awarded the nicknames 'Bitter Bierce', 'the Devil's Lexographer', and 'the... Read more
Published on Jan 24 2002 by Jae Brodsky
Great for the cynic(s) in the family...
Actually, this slender volume can be enjoyed by anyone who can appreciate a little dark humor. The page count is miniscule, but the price is right, and the smirk-per-word ratio is... Read more
Published on Dec 15 2001 by T. Ross
American Cynicism at its Best
Bierce brings us a collection of definitions that highlight the more interesting institutions of our society - religion, government, marriage, death ... Read more
Published on Oct 25 2001 by Monica Beyer
The 19th century equivalent of the Onion
Caustic, but hilarious. I wouldn't recommend it to sensitive types, but I for one very much enjoyed it. Read more
Published on Oct 9 2001 by Meaghan Good
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