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The Devil's Dictionaries: The Best of The Devil's Dictionary & The American Heretic's Dictionary
Revised and expanded.
The funniest people I know all seem to have a copy of the Ambrose Bierce classic, The Devil's Dictionary, begun in 1881, which is not Satanic, but is certainly one of the most cynical (yet truthful) collections of bubble-popping definitions for many of our most sacred cows. This edition also contains a considerably longer modern successor to Bierce's classic, by Chaz Bufe, written in the same spirit but updated for the 1990s. Highly recommended to anyone who craves the truth behind the pretense.
The funniest people I know all seem to have a copy of the Ambrose Bierce classic, The Devil's Dictionary, begun in 1881, which is not Satanic, but is certainly one of the most cynical (yet truthful) collections of bubble-popping definitions for many of our most sacred cows. This edition also contains a considerably longer modern successor to Bierce's classic, by Chaz Bufe, written in the same spirit but updated for the 1990s. Highly recommended to anyone who craves the truth behind the pretense.
- GenresNonfictionHumorLanguage
paper
First published August 1, 2004
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63 people want to read
About the author
Ambrose Bierce
2,443 books1,307 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 15, 2008
Cynical and sometimes sadistic, yet I had many good chuckles reading this one.
former-hopefuls
June 8, 2019The original is something of a classic. I didn't care much for the added bit and so I didn't make it through. But then it's more of a reference/coffee table book, so it's not a thing I'd read straight through anyway? I had this idea it'd be fun to do a take on this (too) but make it only positive definitions. It would probably come off as sarcastic though.
Man, I'm glad no one really reads these things.
Man, I'm glad no one really reads these things.
April 9, 2011
scathing, trenchant, devastating
May 12, 2011
These are painfully truthful tests of your sense of humor and vocabulary. They are not easy to read but they are worth the time.
February 16, 2014
Excellent and funny. A must for the cynic (see "realist")
July 14, 2015
For when you have to keep things real.
December 23, 2010
I laughed a lot. cringed a bit. delightful.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews