The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces
This volume gathers some of Jonathan Swift's shorter works, introduced by a sketch of his life. The Battle of the Books, published in 1704, is a mock-heroic account of a war between ancient and modern books in the King's Library at St. James's, Swift's contribution to the quarrel over whether modern learning had surpassed that of Greece and Rome. With it come A Meditation upon a Broomstick, the Bickerstaff papers in which he predicted and then announced the death of the astrologer Partridge, the poems written for Stella's birthdays, The Beasts' Confession, the ironic Argument against Abolishing Christianity, Hints towards an Essay on Conversation and Thoughts on Various Subjects, all showing Swift's wit. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
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Frequently asked questions about The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces
The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces by Jonathan Swift can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces online?
Yes. The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces in the public domain?
Yes. The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces by Jonathan Swift is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces?
About 2 h 42 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces?
The Battle of the Books, and other Short Pieces by Jonathan Swift is filed under "Essays & Letters" in the Vinteuil library.
