National Network for Equitable Library Service

Ambrose Bierce defined "educational" in his Devil's Dictionary (1911) as that which discloses to the wise and disguises from the fools their lack of understanding. Here, the author graciously excuses readers from the latter category and makes sure to provide those in the former with something they haven't thought of before. In this excursion through literature, sociological history and real life, with digressions into etymology, theology and other areas, we touch base (to borrow a foolish cliché) with the thoughts of men from Rabelais and Mark Twain to Henri IV and his Edict of Nantes, not to forget the writings of Shakespeare and adages from the Bible, and other greats why just might be new to some of us. Indeed, those who elect to come along for the ride are likely to get a thrill from this tour de farce led by a writer who knows a thing or two about fast cars and who can sail rings around the Sunday boater who doesn't really know which way the wind is blowing. In fact, readers can hardly escape finding themselves enriched as well as entertained  as Mr. Reed dashes along, shedding anecdotal references to culture, history, the human condition and the hysterical hypocrisy of modern America.