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The Devil's Advocate: An Ambrose Bierce Reader
devil's advocate
327 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
2 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Ambrose Bierce
2,441 books1,302 followersdied perhaps 1914
Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce.
People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.
The informative sardonic view of human nature alongside his vehemence as a critic with his motto, "nothing matters," earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."
People knew Bierce despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, to encourage younger poet George Sterling and fiction author W.C. Morrow.
Bierce employed a distinctive style especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.
Bierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71 years. People think that he traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on ongoing revolution of that country.
Theories abound on a mystery, ultimate fate of Bierce. He in one of his final letters stated: "Good-bye. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico--ah, that is euthanasia!"
Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce.
People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.
The informative sardonic view of human nature alongside his vehemence as a critic with his motto, "nothing matters," earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."
People knew Bierce despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, to encourage younger poet George Sterling and fiction author W.C. Morrow.
Bierce employed a distinctive style especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.
Bierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71 years. People think that he traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on ongoing revolution of that country.
Theories abound on a mystery, ultimate fate of Bierce. He in one of his final letters stated: "Good-bye. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico--ah, that is euthanasia!"
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 25, 2012
The Civil War stories are really worthy; the supernatural stories pretty good; the Devil's Dictionary occasionally brilliant; the journalism squibs, poetry and fables often tedious. Bierce was an interesting character who deserves to be memorialized, but 327 pages is at least 100 too many.
December 7, 2016
This is a good compilation of writings by Bierce. I most liked the introductory biographical essay, the Civil War Stories, Write it Right, the Devil's Dictionary, and the Coda: on Suicide.
Bierce certainly was a strange fellow, with a bad attitude towards women, but he has a lot of redeeming qualities. I liked his willingness to be brash with politicians in his journalism essays and his self-taught cynical style. He was probably a bitter and unhappy man who used his intellectual abilities to cope with his frustration in the world. I suspect he did commit suicide or at least put himself in harm's way to deliberately die.
Most people know about Bierce's Devil's Dictionary but he actually had a wide range of genres. He should be as well known as Mark Twain.
Bierce certainly was a strange fellow, with a bad attitude towards women, but he has a lot of redeeming qualities. I liked his willingness to be brash with politicians in his journalism essays and his self-taught cynical style. He was probably a bitter and unhappy man who used his intellectual abilities to cope with his frustration in the world. I suspect he did commit suicide or at least put himself in harm's way to deliberately die.
Most people know about Bierce's Devil's Dictionary but he actually had a wide range of genres. He should be as well known as Mark Twain.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews