The Devil's Collection: A Cynic's Dictionary

by Maggie Pinkney (Compiler)

According to American playwright Lillian Hellman, cynicism is an unpleasant way of telling the truth. Cynicism may be confronting but it can also be extremely witty and amusing - and strangely exhilarating. After all telling the truth about uncomfortable subjects is the stock in trade of the comedian - as such masters as Woody Allen, Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Connolly well know.

The entries in this dictionary comprise caustic quotations by a variety of cynics and truth-tellers - ever ready yo prick the conceits and pomposities of their times. Foremost is Ambrose Bierce (1842-c1914) an American journalist, satirist and short story writer - and the compiler of the first cynic's lexicon 'The Devil's Dictionary'. The best of his curmudgeonly definitions form the backbone of this collection.

NB: This ISBN seems to have been used for two different titles for this work:
'The Devil's Collection: A Cynic's Dictionary' - first published 2003
and
'Wicked Wisdom: A Cynic's Dictionary' - first published 2004

... although the latter title does have an alternative ISBN as well!

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 28, 2003

Reviews

[Laura Rivera]

If any dictionary held more truth, it would be this one. This book is filled with witty comments and cynical sayings from many famous people. I highly recommend it.