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Oxymoronica: Paradoxical Wit & Wisdom From History's Greatest Wordsmiths
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 082
EAN: 9780060536992
ISBN: 0060536993
Label: Collins
Manufacturer: Collins
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: 2004-03
Publisher: Collins
Release Date: March 02, 2004
Studio: Collins
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Editorial Review:ox-y-mor-on-i-ca (OK-se-mor-ON-uh-ca) noun, plural: Any variety of tantalizing, self-contradictory statements or observations that on the surface appear false or illogical, but at a deeper level are true, often profoundly true. See also oxymoron, paradox.
examples:
"Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad."
Victor Hugo
"To lead the people, walk behind them."
Lao-tzu
"You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap."
Dolly Parton
You won't find the word "oxymoronica" in any dictionary (at least not yet) because Dr. Mardy Grothe introduces it to readers in this delightful collection of 1,400 of the most provocative quotations of all time. From ancient thinkers like Confucius, Aristotle, and Saint Augustine to great writers like Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and G. B. Shaw to modern social observers like Woody Allen and Lily Tomlin, Oxymoronica celebrates the power and beauty of paradoxical thinking. All areas of human activity are explored, including love, sex and romance, politics, the arts, the literary life, and, of course, marriage and family life. The wise and witty observations in this book are as highly entertaining as they are intellectually nourishing and are sure to grab the attention of language lovers everywhere.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Good Fun & Great Resource
Some books are just fun. You pick them up knowing it will put a smile on your face and you leave it down with that smile on your face.
Oxymoronica (Is this a moronic title?) is one of those books.
It is difficult to write a lengthy review about this book because it would basically entail repeating many of the wonderful quotes which the author has sourced (and he does source and credit them very well.)
The oxymorons range through humor, the human condition, politics, ... Read More
Rating:  - Please, don't write between the lines
This book contains many fine entries by people other than the author, "Dr." Mardy Grothe. Many of them are not `opposite' or `contradictory' enough to fit in, and are less interesting than the ones that do belong.
The problem with the book is the many comments by the author, which at their best are not necessary. His day job evidently involves some sort of counseling. Perhaps this line of work leads him to expect that people require explanations. For whatever reason, he provides his ... Read More
Rating:  - a thoughtful gift
less valuable for its editorializing, but priceless for its compilation of puzzling truths about what makes us human. Bravo to the editor for this gem. I bought twenty copies to give as gifts ..there's something revealing for everyone from every generation.
Rating: - Wonderfully enlightening
The quotes in this pithy little book are full of wit and wisdom. I have shared many of them with friends and family. It will be worthwhile reading for anyone who cares about words, history and real "rubber-meets-the-road" intelligence.
Rating: - Conversation Starter
My mother bought this for me for Christmas one year...she calls me her little oxymoron. She just means that I love witty uses of language...and this book was perfect for me, because it's full of just that! It's split into 14 different chapters, each one showcasing a different type of oxymoron. This was very helpful, because it's easy to flip to whichever section you're in the mood for. This is a great book to set on your coffee table, because it will be a conversations starter at any gathering.
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