The Devil’s Dictionary
New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Publishers, 1979. J. C. Suares. Hardcover.
Very Good Plus book block and case in a Very Good Minus jacket. The jacket is unclipped and bears a dark stain on the rear panel. The front pastedown carries the library stamp of NCAC—National Coalition Against Censorship—from whom the book was acquired and a bookplate stating, “Donated by Joseph and Shirley Wershba 2007.” Joseph Wershba (1920–2011) was a longtime CBS journalist and correspondent. Otherwise, lightly soiled and shelfworn. Black and white illustrations by J. C. Suares throughout. 157 pages. 7.25” x 10.25”.
The Devil’s Dictionary, originally published as The Cynic’s Word Book (1906), is a satirical dictionary of terms originally published over the course of three decades in national magazines and newspapers. Written by Ambrose Bierce (1842–c. 1914)—who was highly regarded for both his antiwar journalism as a veteran of the Civil War and as an author of horror stories—the dictionary was the work for which he is most remembered today.
This 1979 edition is an abridgement of a 1911 version published by Neale Publishing Company, employing Bierce’s preferred title. Humorous illustrations by Jean-Claude Suares (1942–2013) appear throughout.
“PRESIDENCY, n.
The greased pig in the field game of American politics.
PRESIDENT, n.
The leading figure in a small group of men of whom—and of whom only—it is positively known that immense numbers of their countrymen did not want any of them for President.”
ISBN: 0690017642
Price: $45.00