Ambrose Bierce 
The Devil’s Dictionary Illustrated 

The Wall Street Journal wrote that The Devil’s Dictionary is ‘probably the most brilliant work of satire written in America. And maybe one of the greatest in all of world literature.’ The New York Times reviewed: ‘It is a tour de force of no mean proportions, because it is possible to read it from cover to cover without being bored, so amusing are his unexpected turns of caustic humor, so brilliant his flagitious wit and so diverting the verses and dicta of non-existent philosophers as ‘Father Cassalasca Jape, S. J.’, with which he illustrates them.’ This satirical dictionary consists of common words followed by humorous and satirical definitions. It was written by journalist and writer Ambrose Bierce. This new edition (easy-to-read layout) contains 26 illustrations or paintings by Gustave Doré. 

Excerpt: 

CANNON, n. An instrument employed in the rectification of national boundaries.

MARRIAGE, n. The state or condition of a community consisting of a master, a mistress and two slaves, making in all, two.

RELIGION, n. A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.

RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.

YOUTH, n. The Period of Possibility, when Archimedes finds a fulcrum, Cassandra has a following and seven cities compete for the honor of endowing a living Homer.