This collection of twenty-nine original essays, surveys satire from its emergence in Western literature to the present.

• Tracks satire from its first appearances in the prophetic books of the Old Testament through the Renaissance and the English tradition in satire to Michael Moore's satirical movie Fahrenheit 9/11.
  
• Highlights the important influence of the Bible in the literary and cultural development of Western satire.
  
• Focused mainly on major classical and European influences on and works of English satire, but also explores...