Scorn: The Wittiest and Wickedest Insults in Human History

There's no pleasure like a perfectly turned put-down (when it's directed at somebody else). Matthew Parris's sublime collection of the rudest, funniest, and most cutting insults in history contains:

• Extended literary invective
• Short verbal shin-kicks

This collection spans the worlds of art, politics, showbiz, marriage, and literature, taking us on a boisterous journey from ancient Roman graffiti to Twitter battles.

Whether you're looking for:

• The perfect elegant riposte
• The rudest polite letter ever written
• Or a brutal verbal sledgehammer

Scorn draws on masters such as Dorothy Parker, Elizabeth I, Winston Churchill, Princess Anne, and Alastair Campbell to show that abuse can be an exquisite art form.