Publisher's Synopsis
The Tale of a Tub and Other Works by Jonathan Swift is a collection of satirical essays and prose pieces by the renowned Irish author. The book contains Swift's most famous work, The Tale of a Tub, which is a parody of religious extremism and hypocrisy in the 18th century. The story follows three brothers who each represent a different branch of Christianity, and their struggle to interpret their father's will, which is a metaphor for the Bible. In addition to The Tale of a Tub, the book also includes other notable works by Swift, such as A Modest Proposal, in which he suggests that the impoverished Irish should sell their children as food to the wealthy, and An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity, which is a satirical defense of the Church of England. The collection also features several letters and essays written by Swift, including his famous Letter to a Young Gentleman Lately Enter'd into Holy Orders, which offers advice to young clergymen, and The Battle of the Books, which is a humorous debate between ancient and modern books. Overall, The Tale of a Tub and Other Works is a witty and thought-provoking collection of satirical pieces that showcase Swift's mastery of language and his ability to use humor to criticize society's flaws.1922. Famous Irish poet, pamphleteer, satirist and wit of Augustan Age, best remembered for Gulliver�������s Travels. The Tale of a Tub was Swift�������s first major satirical work. Queen Anne deemed it to be blasphemous and it is believed to have adversely affected Swift's chances for ecclesiastical preferment in England. The book comprises three related sketches: the Tale itself, an energetic defense of literature and religion against zealous pedantry; The Battle of the Books, a witty addition to the scholarly debate about the relative merits of ancient versus modern literature and culture; and A Discourse Concerning the Mechanical Operation of the Spirit, a satire of religious fanaticism. Swift explains in the preface that the title comes from sailors tossing a tub overboard to distract a whale that might attack their ship.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
