The Curmudgeon's Dictionary

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Dictionaries
Cover of the book The Curmudgeon's Dictionary by William Soisson, Xlibris US
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: William Soisson ISBN: 9781514486160
Publisher: Xlibris US Publication: April 25, 2016
Imprint: Xlibris US Language: English
Author: William Soisson
ISBN: 9781514486160
Publisher: Xlibris US
Publication: April 25, 2016
Imprint: Xlibris US
Language: English

Twenty years ago, when the author first read Ambrose Bierce's "Devil's Dictionary," he was ecstatic. Here at last was a creative work that was utterly lacking in discrimination. Worth no regard whatever for race, creed, color, sex, religion, or fast food preference, Bierce kicked everyone's sacred cow right in the udder. The author instantly knew that somehow, some day, he must continue the work begun by Ambrose. So it is that "The Curmudgeon's Dictionary" follows the great Bierce's lead in flaying without mercy the pretentious of our world. At the same time, "TCD" unavoidably reflects many of the changes in style that have occurred in our language since 1911, when "The Devil's Dictionary" was first published. Many of the old poets, like Biddle Tamey and Opned Teal, so well quoted by Bierce, are gone, having been replaced by such contemporary greats as Taner Bane and Sigson Kolgy, who, though they lack the elegance of the poets of Bierce's day, have the virtues of simplicity and forthrightness. Then, too, changes in science and technology have brought us many new terms such as "computer," "CAT Scan," "Jive," and "Monica," which did not yet exist in Bierce's day. Moreover, changes in the attention span have made it desirable to abbreviate many definitions and support the work of the aforementioned more concise poets. The author has violated this procedure only when considerations of clarity or beauty have made it imperative, as with the haunting "Ode to a Giant Bonsai Tree." Aside from such evolutionary matters, one will find that some of the venerable Bierce's definitions are still valid today and have found their way into this magnificent book in updated form. The updating is no criticism of the master, only recognition that time moves things, if not forward, at least along.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Twenty years ago, when the author first read Ambrose Bierce's "Devil's Dictionary," he was ecstatic. Here at last was a creative work that was utterly lacking in discrimination. Worth no regard whatever for race, creed, color, sex, religion, or fast food preference, Bierce kicked everyone's sacred cow right in the udder. The author instantly knew that somehow, some day, he must continue the work begun by Ambrose. So it is that "The Curmudgeon's Dictionary" follows the great Bierce's lead in flaying without mercy the pretentious of our world. At the same time, "TCD" unavoidably reflects many of the changes in style that have occurred in our language since 1911, when "The Devil's Dictionary" was first published. Many of the old poets, like Biddle Tamey and Opned Teal, so well quoted by Bierce, are gone, having been replaced by such contemporary greats as Taner Bane and Sigson Kolgy, who, though they lack the elegance of the poets of Bierce's day, have the virtues of simplicity and forthrightness. Then, too, changes in science and technology have brought us many new terms such as "computer," "CAT Scan," "Jive," and "Monica," which did not yet exist in Bierce's day. Moreover, changes in the attention span have made it desirable to abbreviate many definitions and support the work of the aforementioned more concise poets. The author has violated this procedure only when considerations of clarity or beauty have made it imperative, as with the haunting "Ode to a Giant Bonsai Tree." Aside from such evolutionary matters, one will find that some of the venerable Bierce's definitions are still valid today and have found their way into this magnificent book in updated form. The updating is no criticism of the master, only recognition that time moves things, if not forward, at least along.

More books from Xlibris US

Cover of the book My Hope Is Built by William Soisson
Cover of the book A Revised History for Advanced Level and Colleges by William Soisson
Cover of the book One in a Hundred by William Soisson
Cover of the book United States Army Third Infantry Division Directorate of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation by William Soisson
Cover of the book My Battle with the Forces of Darkness by William Soisson
Cover of the book The Spontaneous Self by William Soisson
Cover of the book Tomorrow by William Soisson
Cover of the book Remembering the Sabbatical Years of 2016 by William Soisson
Cover of the book Vandermine: the Sword's Errand by William Soisson
Cover of the book A Better Understanding (Vol. 2) by William Soisson
Cover of the book The Stone Daisy and Other Truths by William Soisson
Cover of the book God Can by William Soisson
Cover of the book Franklin Merrell-Wolff: an American Philosopher and Mystic by William Soisson
Cover of the book Kicking Against the Pricks by William Soisson
Cover of the book Third World Café by William Soisson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy