The Tale of a Tub and Other Works

The Tale of a Tub and Other Works is a collection of satirical writings by Jonathan Swift, an Irish author and clergyman who is best known for his novel Gulliver’s Travels. The titular work, The Tale of a Tub, is a biting critique of the excesses and hypocrisies of the Christian Church, told through the allegory of three brothers who inherit a coat from their father (representing the Church) and proceed to tear it apart in different ways (representing the various sects and denominations of Christianity). Other works in the collection include A Discourse Concerning the Mechanical Operation of the Spirit, a theological treatise that argues against the idea of predestination; A Modest Proposal, a satirical essay that suggests Irish children should be sold as food to wealthy Englishmen as a solution to poverty; and The Battle of the Books, a mock-epic poem that pits the ancient Greek and Roman authors against their modern counterparts in a literary battle. Swift’s writing is known for its wit, irony, and sharp social commentary, and this collection showcases some of his most famous and influential works. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of satire and the development of English literature.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 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.