This enjoyable abridgment is an updated version of a classic lexicon by one of the 19th century's most famous satirists. Originally published between 1881 and 1886 as a regular feature in the Wasp, a San Francisco journal, and again in 1904 in Hearst papers, Bierce's 700 definitions are just as humorous, witty, and satiric today as they were then. They mock social, professional, and religious conventions while also providing a small glimpse into late 19th-century society. Entries include, for example, "Apologize" ("To lay the foundation for a future offence"); "Beggar" ("One who has relied on the assistance of his friends"); and "Saint" ("A dead sinner revised and edited"). Illustrations by satiric cartoonist Steadman complement the text, while Angus Calder's (The People's War) introduction provides basic biographical data on Bierce's life and works and a brief bibliography. Recommended for public and academic libraries.-Laurie Selwyn, Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Today word nerds everywhere are celebrating National Scrabble Day, by hoarding our S tiles, challenging our opponent’s play of the word HASHTAG (totally legal now), and reading some great books that remind us why we became language lovers in the first place. While waiting for a U tile to pair with that Q, here are […]
The chances you will at some point in your life be called on to make a wedding toast—or, perhaps, will decide all on your own to drunkenly stand up and make an unscheduled wedding toast you were not called on to make—are pretty high. The shy, the gregarious, the loners: no matter what we do to avoid […]
Don’t get me wrong. I would still read stuff. I bought every Peanuts paperback book ever printed and subscribed to Mad magazine. You know, stuff teachers considered garbage. It wasn’t until my mother told me to read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that I realized not all books are boring. Like my buddy James Patterson […]