The New Devil's Dictionary: A New Version of the Cynical Classic
“A witty and mordant compendium of brickbats and bon mots … refreshingly no-nonsense … a bracing bit of whimsy … an assorted and sundry admixture of sharp wit and woebegone drollery… All-encompassing … Ambitious and devilishly addictive … An inspired and audacious accomplishment.” —BlogCritics Books “Ambrose Bierce’s original Devil’s Dictionary defined basic truths in such a way as to surprise, shock, infuriate, and, not infrequently, delight his readers. Rhoda Koenig’s wonderful reprise attains that high standard again and again.”—John Berendt, author ofMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil “Bracing, provoking, often brilliant—I ran from one entry to another and was constantly amused and amazed.”—David Denby, author ofSnark “So smart and mordant it must be read slowly and savored. A great idea, brilliantly executed.”—Andrew Holleran, author ofDancer from the Dance “The new devil in Rhoda Koenig’s entertaining dictionary attacks with the same ferocious wit, cutting insight, sulfurous humor, and hilarious pessimism as that of the first.”—Nicholas von Hoffman, author ofCitizen Cohn “Provocative, engaging, laugh-out-loud funny. A sublime satire.”—Chris Ver Wiel, author ofStarbucks Nation “Fine, bracing stuff delivered with wit and bile.”—Nik Cohn, author ofAwopbopaloobop Alopbamboom “The New Devil’s Dictionarybrilliantly matches Ambrose Bierce’s original in wit, candor, and black humor.”—Andrew Shaffer, author ofGreat Philosophers Who Failed at Love