The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

Every time my mind is occupied by a concept or a word, I immediately run to The Devil's Dictionary for an answer. Of course, this books has no answers. It offers only consolation*. Through cynicism and wit, it makes you feel less alone. It makes you feel like there are other people in your emotional/intellectual hell.English is not my mother tongue and I also don't live in 1900, so there are certain parts of the book I find hard to read. But it's not a big loss, since I wouldn't bother with these words anyway. On the other hand, Ambrose Bierce may not live in 2014, yet his commentary on society and human nature is as up-to-date as ever! I really believe that this will turn out to be one the books that never get old and people will still be reading it centuries later.Maybe I'm not into poetry (much more English poetry), but I found the poems quite fun to read, though I expected them to be boring.You don't have to read this at once. Just have it near your desk at all times and grab a definition or two every day. It's also fun if you're reading it with others. Fun for the whole family.*CONSOLATION, noun: The knowledge that a better man is more unfortunate than yourself.

I enjoy reading books for many reasons and while I never expected a dictionary to satisfy many of those reasons, this one does it very well. It is educational, humorous, historical and well organized. It's not a page turner, not exciting, not sexy - but if you are interested in learning things, this book is for you. There is one definition on page 12 that is worth the price of the book: "Adams Apple: a protuberance on the throat of a man, thoughtfully provided by Nature to keep the rope in place". The book is filled with laughs like this. (If you don't think that's funny, go read War and Peace) It is also a good reference book; you can look up all kinds of interesting information and remember it was written a long long time ago. Too bad there are no Ambrose Bierces' left - his insights were refreshing.

A master of the English language but no soft academic was he! Bitter Bierce,as he became to be known, had experienced the Civil War in thecruelest way, lying wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness,watching others die, being burned to death and then horribly torn bywild pigs. He recovered but lived out his years with abullet lodged in his brain.Such experiences would twist anyone's belief in the goodness of mankindand Bierce eventually abandoned conventional journalism to write acidiccommentary and harsh prose, poking fun at everyone in turn, from politiciansto priests. Few were spared his verbal rapier thrustsand he found himself increasingly estranged from San Francisco society.His Devil's Dictionary reflects his bitterness and wit simultaneouslyand his outrageous "definitions" are still spot on and uncomfortableeven today, for the pompous and the fakirs alike. He even pokes at himselfwith definitions like "Alone: in good company"and "Marriage: a state of temporary insanity only curedby the passage of time."Alone and divorced, he wandered off into Mexico, attempting tointerview Pancho Villa, and was never seen again.

I like this book. I do think that some of the words are way too predictable and vague. I am mostly in love with the concept of this book. I am party inspired to mimic the style. If only I had the drive to....

I discovered the Dover reprint of this Ambrose Bierce classic when I was in college and reveled in the biting wit. It was lost in many moves since, so when I saw a quote from this edition, I bought it. It has the originally published Devil's Dictionary updated from columns in other news papers for which he wrote in later years. It also has a second half that contains notations and references to Bierce's life and work in connection with most words. This is a fun volume for anyone interested in his acerbic wit and in his life.

If truth is beauty, and beauty truth, this is one good looking book. As an aspiring cynic, finding this book was akin to Ahab finding the whale. (I have no idea what that means). I don't think this book could be written today. Most of Bierce's definitions have become accepted fact. The book belongs in the library of everyone who believes Political Correctness is the beginning of the end of the world. Without the ability to communicate honestly, we are doomed. If you don't agree, you're just a bigoted fool. (see Bierce definitions). A great, funny, lucid book.

Hands down, one of the funniest books I've ever read. Years ago a fellow engineer brought a copy into the office, resulting in projects falling behind schedule for 6 months. Bierce is an earlier incarnation of H. L. Mencken only not so warm and fuzzy. A true gem!

Maybe I expected too much. Did not find it as amusing as I had hoped.

Product exactly as advertised. Service excellent.

Das Meisterwerk des verschollenen USAnischen Schriftstellers mit der spitzen Feder. Ein unverzichtbarer Bestandteil einer jeden Bibliothek mit dem Anspruch, gut sortiert zu sein. Und immer wieder eine Fundgrube, wenn man mal ein witziges Zitat benötigt.

A source of laughter and knowledge. Would recommend highly

先ず手に取ってパラパラと捲ってみた時の最初の感想が、「こりゃスゴい」。『悪魔の辞典』は元々、ビアスが30年以上に亘ってあちこちの新聞やらに発表したり書き溜めたりしていたものを寄せ集めたものなので、1911年の初版以降幾つもの版が存在しているのだが、このジョージア版は従来のどのものよりもスゴい。その名の通り、全項目に亘って一切カットしていないのだ。収録されている定義の数は何と約1,600。重複している項目も残らず拾っていて、しかもこれまでどの版にも未収録だった補遺定義等も収録されている。20頁以上に及ぶ詳細で要を得た解説の他、80頁近い註、各項目の収録対応表に初出一覧、それに索引まで付いていると云う充実振り。原書を読みたいのだがどの版を買えば良いのか迷っている方があれば、取り敢えずこれを買っておきなさい、と迷わず断言出来る、とにかくお薦めの一冊である。

The illustrations by Ralph Steadman are very poor quality in the Kindle edition. I don’t recommend the book in that form. There are other editions on Kindle to enjoy. Buy a paper copy to see Ralphs wonder illustrations.