Webster's Unafraid Dictionary

I can't believe this book has not been reviewed before! My copy is 24 years old, and I still refer to it when I am looking for a snappy definition.Levinson has included many of his own definitions and many of these laugh at American accents. [That's OK: he is American, himself!]He has also reproduced many of Samuel Johnson's definitions from his famous dictionary. However, the real value of the book lies in the scores of Ambrose Bierce's biting comments included. This is where I first encountered them.Here are a few of my favourites:Samuel JohnsonOats A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.Boswell's retortAnd where will you find such men and such horses?LevinsonMiddle Age That time in life when one wishes there were some other way to start the day than by getting up.Youth same definitionOld Age same definitionArt RyonMermaid Not enough fish to fry and not enough woman to loveAmbrose BierceChristian One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book, admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbourChristian One who follows the teachings of Christ insofar as they are not inconsistent with a life of sinWonderful book, unreservedly recommended to all lovers of quotes