A Modest Proposal

A modest solution to a grave problem. Eat the poor.

In A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift delivers one of the most provocative and enduring works of political satire in the English language. Cloaked in the language of rational argument and cool economic logic, the essay confronts social injustice with a severity that transforms irony into a powerful moral reckoning. Presented as a serious solution to the crushing poverty and overpopulation in 18th-century Ireland, Swift’s “proposal”—that the impoverished Irish sell their children as food for the rich—is a devastating indictment of heartless policies, absentee landlords, and a society that treats human lives as mere commodities.

With razor-sharp wit and unflinching audacity, Swift exposes the cruelty of indifference and the absurdity of bureaucratic thinking. What begins as a seemingly straightforward economic treatise descends into horrifying absurdity, forcing readers to confront the real horrors of famine, exploitation, and systemic neglect. Though published in 1729, its biting relevance endures, making it a timeless masterpiece of satire and a chilling reminder of the power of language to expose injustice.

• First published in 1729
• One of the most famous and influential satirical essays ever written
• A cornerstone of English literature and political commentary

Available in multiple formats:

• Paperback & Hardcover: Elegant print editions presenting the complete, unabridged text, ideal for your bookshelf.
• Ebook: DRM-free EPUB compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers.
• Audiobook: Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged, perfect for immersive listening.

A brilliant and disturbing classic that continues to shock, provoke, and enlighten, or the perfect gift for lovers of sharp satire, political writing, and literary masterpieces that cut to the bone.

About the Author

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) was an Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer, and Anglican cleric, widely regarded as one of the foremost prose satirists in the English language. Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Swift was a master of irony and a fierce defender of Irish interests against English exploitation. His works, including Gulliver’s Travels, A Tale of a Tub, and A Modest Proposal, combine biting wit with profound moral insight, cementing his place as a towering figure in world literature.