It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. Here are some choice excerpts from this highly entertaining work: Conservative (n. 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. The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce Originally published as The Cynic’s Word Book, Ambrose Bierce’s wickedly satirical reference book was retitled The Devil’s Dictionary in 1911. He wrote in one of his final letters: "Good-bye. He is believed to have traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on that country's ongoing revolution.ĭespite an abundance of theories, Bierce's ultimate fate remains a mystery. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.īierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71. The lexicon was written over three decades as a series of installments for magazines and newspapers. Morrow.īierce employed a distinctive style of writing, especially in his stories. The Devil's Dictionary is a satirical dictionary written by American Civil War soldier, journalist, and writer Ambrose Bierce consisting of common words followed by humorous and satirical definitions. The sardonic view of human nature that informed his work – along with his vehemence as a critic, with his motto "nothing matters" – earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."ĭespite his reputation as a searing critic, however, Bierce was known to encourage younger writers, including poet George Sterling and fiction writer W.
Today, he is best known for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his satirical lexicon, The Devil's Dictionary. Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (1842-1914) was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist.
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