The Devil's Dictionaries: The Best of the Devil's Dictionary & the American Heretic's Dictionary

by Ambrose Bierce, Charles Bufe, J.R. Swanson (Illustrations)

This compilation of hundreds of biting, witty, cruel, and hilarious definitions combines the best 200 definitions from Ambrose Bierce's classic The Devil's Dictionary , with more than 500 definitions from the most humorous and stinging entries in Chaz Bufe's The American Heretic's Dictionary . This new edition includes 50 new definitions from Bufe and new biting illustrations by San Francisco artist and filmmaker J. R. Swanson. The Bierce definitions focus on his favorite targets, including religion, jingoism masquerading as patriotism, the "lickspittle" press, the thievery inherent in the American economic system, and the multitude of idiocies and hypocrisies pervading American social and political life. Bufe's definitions share many of the same targets, but also skewer such contemporary plagues as the "right to life" movement, religious fundamentalism, the IRS, and the puritanically "politically correct." Bufe also turns a jaundiced eye on both male and female sexual attitudes, something which Bierce, writing in much more conservative times, was not free to do.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Language

160 pages, paper

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

died 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!"

Reviews

[Primadonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynical and sometimes sadistic, yet I had many good chuckles reading this one.

[Natasha]

The 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.

[Davidlandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

scathing, trenchant, devastating

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are painfully truthful tests of your sense of humor and vocabulary. They are not easy to read but they are worth the time.

[J W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and funny. A must for the cynic (see "realist")

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For when you have to keep things real.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed a lot. cringed a bit. delightful.