The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary gathers the satirical definitions that Ambrose Bierce wrote for newspapers over several decades, first collected in 1906 as The Cynic's Word Book and published under its proper title in 1911. The entries run from A to Z and treat love, politics, religion, business, patriotism, friendship and death with the same cold cheer: a bore is a person who talks when you wish him to listen, a cynic a blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, and so on through several hundred words, many illustrated with mock verses by invented poets. Bierce was a Civil War veteran and the most feared columnist in San Francisco, and the dictionary distills a lifetime of disbelief. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Devil's Dictionary
The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce 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 Devil's Dictionary online?
Yes. The Devil's Dictionary 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 Devil's Dictionary free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Devil's Dictionary 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 Devil's Dictionary in the public domain?
Yes. The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce 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 Devil's Dictionary?
About 4 h 01 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 Devil's Dictionary?
The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
