| − | ''The Devil's Dictionary'' is a collection of cynical and pessimistic "definitions" of common everyday words. It was written by Ambrose Bierce. The definitions first appeared in his column in a San Francisco newspaper. It was eventually published in book form and still remains in print today, although due a lack of copyright, it is freely available for download online <ref>[http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/972 free download from Project Guttenberg.]</ref> | + | ''The Devil's Dictionary'' is a collection of cynical and pessimistic "definitions" of common everyday words written by Ambrose Bierce. The definitions first appeared in his column in a San Francisco newspaper. It was eventually published in book form and still remains in print today, although due a lack of copyright, it is freely available for download online <ref>[http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/972 free download from Project Guttenberg.]</ref> |
| − | Bierce satirized both liberal and conservative positions with his work and frequently made subtle attacks against religion and the church. | + | Bierce satirized both liberal and conservative positions with his work and frequently made very public and offensive attacks against religion and the church. |