He won the battle in the us senate and huntington was forced to break up his railroad conglomerate. American newspaperman, wit, satirist, and author of sardonic short stories. From there bierce exploited the writing trades as a satirist, short story writer and journalist. Ambrose gwinnett bierce born june 24, 1842, assumed to have died sometime after december 26, 19 was an american editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist. Originally an occasional newspaper item which was first published in book form in 1906 as the cynic s word book. It was originally published in 1906 as the cynics word book before being retitled in 1911. By late 19, bierce was divorced and free to pursue a wandering writers life. See all books authored by ambrose bierce, including civil war stories, and the cynics word book, and more on. Arguably his most famous short story is an occurrence at owl creek bridge, but he also wrote poetry and such lauded books as the devils dictionary and the cynics word book. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Cynics word book ebook by ambrose bierce 1230000289226. A statesman who is enamoured of existing evils, as distinguished from the liberal, who wishes to replace them with others. Here are some choice excerpts from this highly entertaining work. It consists of satirical definitions of english words which lampoon cant and.
One of bierce s most famous works is his muchquoted book, the devils dictionary, originally an occasional newspaper item which was first published in book form in 1906 as the cynic s word book. Ambrose gwinnett bierce born june 24, 1842, assumed to have died sometime after december 26, 19 was an american editorialist, journalist. Ambrose gwinnett bierce june 24, 1842 circa 1914 was an american editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist. The disappearance of ambrose bierce historic mysteries. The book is a classic satire in the form of a dictionary on which bierce worked for decades. This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.
There is an incident that night, which the narrator claims explains the mystery of why his cabin had a boarded window. An american classic, some of its charming and cynical definitions are uncannily. The cynics word book by ambrose bierce paperback lulu. Ambrose bierce brand new at the best online prices at. The cynic s word book by bierce, ambrose, 18421914. Ambrose bierce pseudonym grile dod 1842c1914, american journalist and author wrote the devils dictionary 1906. The barbed definitions that bierce began publishing in the wasp, a weekly journal he edited in san francisco from 1881 to 1886, brought this 19thcentury stock form to a new level of artistry. Bierce, ambrose gwinett article about bierce, ambrose. Originally published as the cynic s word book, ambrose bierce s wickedly satirical reference book was retitled the devils dictionary in 1911. Today, he is best known for his short story, an occurrence at owl creek bridge and his satirical lexicon, the devils dictionary. Sep 12, 20 ambrose gwinnett bierce 18421914 was an american editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist. View the list love is like a beautiful flower which i may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just.
Ambrose bierces literary reputation is based primarily on his short stories about the civil war and the supernaturala body of work that makes up a relatively small part of his total output. Arguably his most famous and wellreceived work is an occurrence at owl creek bridge. The civil war short stories of ambrose bierce, compiled with a foreword by ernest jerome hopkins, university of nebraska press lincoln, 1988. The project gutenberg ebook of the cynics word book, by ambrose bierce this ebook is for the use of. The new title for bierces book would be the cynics word book. It was originally published in 1906 as the cynic s word book before being retitled in 1911. Thirty classic tales, edited by lois hill, avenel books new york, ny, 1991. A brief statement, bald in style and flat in sense. The cynics word book 1906 the ambrose bierce project. Ambrose gwinnett bierce 18421914 was an american editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist. His glossary provided 48 short witty definitions, from a the first letter in every properly.
Originally an occasional newspaper item which was first published in book form in 1906 as the cynics word book. See all books authored by ambrose bierce, including the cynics word book, and. A word book, straight up, with a twist, the devils dictionary is an american. Originally published as the cynics word book, ambrose bierces wickedly satirical reference book was retitled the devils dictionary in 1911 here are some choice excerpts from this highly entertaining work. Hanging a golden stamp about their necks, put on with holy prayers. The devils dictionary is a satirical dictionary written by american civil war soldier, journalist, and writer ambrose bierce consisting of common words followed. The cynics word book illustrated and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. A number of the definitions are accompanied by satiric verses, many of which are signed with comic pseudonyms. The devils dictionary, satiric lexicon by ambrose bierce, first compiled as the cynics word book in 1906 and reissued under the authors preferred title five years later. The haunted valley by ambrose bierce, audiobook short. A collection of short stories by kurt vonnegut plus selections from a cynics word book by ambrose bierce by thor p. Above all else, the lasting legacy of ambrose bierces free thought and connection to ingersoll is arguably the devils dictionary, published in 1911.
Originally released as the cynics word book in 1906, the devils dictionary displays bierces heretical nature in. He wrote the short story an occurrence at owl creek bridge and compiled a satirical lexicon, the devils dictionary. In 1881 ambrose bierce, journalist and former soldier for the union army in the civil. Read cynic s word book by ambrose bierce available from rakuten kobo. He was one of the best known journalists of the the last quarter of the 19th century. Written in 1886 and first published in the collection tales of soldiers and civilians 1891, the story is a muchanthologized classic that secured bierces place on the american literary map. He fought with extreme bravery in the civil war, and the conflict, which he considered meaningless slaughter, is reflected in his war stories and to a great extent in the deep pessimism of his late fiction.
The cynical web site ambrose bierce, the progenitor of the. The complete short stories of ambrose bierce 0803260717 book cover. Page 212 all swoln and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye, the mere despair of surgery, he cures. Here are some ambrose bierce short stories, in alphabetical order of the first word of the title. Ashes of the beacon by ambrose bierce ambrose gwinnett bierce was an american editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist.
A statesman who is enamoured of existing evils, as distinguished. The desire for life everlasting has commonly been affirmed to be universalat least that is the view taken by those unacquainted with oriental faiths and with oriental character. Summary of an occurrence at owl creek bridge by ambrose. With reference to certain actual and possible questions of priority and originality, it may be explained that this word. His mocking cynicism is on full display in the devils dictionary, a work that originally appeared under the title the cynics word book. One of bierces most famous works is his muchquoted book, the devils dictionary, originally an occasional newspaper item which was first published in book form in 1906 as the cynics word book. He wrote the short story an occurrence at owl creek bridge and compiled a satirical lexicon the devils dictionary. Buy a cheap copy of the cynic s word book by ambrose bierce. Reared in kosciusko county, indiana, bierce became a printers devil apprentice on a. A statesman who is enamoured of existing evils, as distinguished from the liberal, who wishes to replace them with.
Often compared to the tales of edgar allan poe, these stories share an attraction to death in its more. A word which some lexicographer has marked obsolete is ever thereafter an object of dread and loathing to the fool writer, but if it is a good word and has no exact modern equivalent equally good, it is good enough for the good writer. Known for his satirical wit and sardonic view of human nature, ambrose bierce earned the nickname bitter bierce. The project gutenberg ebook of the cynics word book, by ambrose bierce this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever.
The cynics word book is a satirical dictionary written by american journalist and author ambrose bierce 1842ca. Throughout his writing career, bierce earned the nickname, bitter bierce because of his satirical wittiness and humor. Ambrose gwinnett bierce june 24, 1842 circa 1914 was an american short story writer, journalist, poet, and civil war veteran. Reared in kosciusko county, indiana, bierce became a printers devil apprentice on a warsaw, indiana, paper after about a year in. The cynics word book by ambrose bierce thriftbooks. Often compared to the tales of edgar allan poe, these stories share an attraction to death in its more bizarre forms, featuring depictions of mental deterioration, uncanny, otherworldly manifestations. Buy a cheap copy of the cynics word book by ambrose bierce. The cynics word book 1906 the cynics word book, by ambrose bierce. Read cynics word book by ambrose bierce available from rakuten kobo. The devils dictionary short stories and classic literature. After the war, bierce settled in san francisco, a city known to proof cynics alongside sourdough which explain part of your humble editors disturbing disposition.
It consists of satirical definitions of english words which lampoon cant and political doubletalk. Odins library classics is dedicated to bringing the world the best of humankinds literature from throughout the ages. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Bierces witty definitions were imitated and plagiarized for years before he gathered them into books, first as the cynics word book in 1906 and then in a more complete version as the devils dictionary in 1911. Originally published as the cynics word book, ambrose bierces wickedly satirical reference book was retitled the devils dictionary in 1911. Today, he is wellknown for his short story, an occurrence at owl creek bridge and his satirical lexicon, the devils dictionary, which originally. The unabridged devils dictionary quotes by ambrose bierce. Feb 06, 2017 the haunted valley is a short story by ambrose bierce. Ambrose bierce ambrose bierce biography poem hunter. Bierce s witty definitions were imitated and plagiarized for years before he gathered them into books, first as the cynic s word book in 1906 and then in a more complete version as the devils dictionary in 1911. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages. Nov 20, 2014 arguably his most famous short story is an occurrence at owl creek bridge, but he also wrote poetry and such lauded books as the devils dictionary and the cynics word book. A man who lives in the wilderness prepares his wifes body for burial.
Cynics word book ebook by ambrose bierce rakuten kobo. The haunted valley by ambrose bierce, audiobook short ghost. The cynical web site ambrose bierce, the progenitor of. One of bierces most famous works is the muchquoted the devils dictionary, originally an occasional newspaper item, first published in book form in 1906 as the cynics word book. Essay on cynicism in works of ambrose bierce 592 words. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Cynical bierce is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 3 times. Those of us whose knowledge is a trifle wider are not prepared to say that. The cynics word book the devils dictionary ambrose bierce. Ambrose bierce books list of books by author ambrose bierce. First edition, first printing, first state with no. Ambrose bierce short stories and classic literature. Ambrose bierce, american newspaperman, wit, satirist, and author of sardonic short stories based on themes of death and horror. The cynics word book bierce, ambrose, anderson, taylor on. A short ambrose bierce biography describes ambrose bierces life, times, and work. Oct 14, 20 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. While working for william randolph hearsts san francisco examiner, bierce doggedly campaigned to bring down collis huntington, owner and president of the southern pacific railroad. Ambrose bierce used graphic images to get his message across in a lot of his stories such as chicamauga and the affair at coulters notch. A good portion of his short stories were stories of innocent people and. Over 1,000 barbed and brilliant definitions by the 19thcentury journalist and satirist often called the american swift.
A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of god, fate, fortune, luck or ones neighbor. Also explains the historical and literary context that influenced an occurrence at owl creek bridge. The cynics word book, by ambrose bierce project gutenberg. The style and motives of ambrose bierce are those of a great intellect and cynic. During his career as a journalist, poet, and author of fiction and nonfiction, ambrose bierce published more than four million words. The cynics word book by ambrose bierce, paperback barnes. A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. In the days of astrology it was customary to unload it upon a star.
Ambrose gwinnett bierce born june 24, 1842, assumed to have died sometime after december 26, 19 was an. His book the devils dictionary was named as one of the 100 greatest masterpieces of american literature by the american revolution bicentennial administration. The titles assembled here include his most popular and influential works. The haunted valley is a short story by ambrose bierce. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app.