A Tale of a Tub

Religion, learning, and modern folly—savaged with unmatched wit.

In A Tale of a Tub, Jonathan Swift delivers one of the most brilliant and ferocious satires in the English language. Written as a mock-allegory about three brothers (Peter, Martin, and Jack) representing Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Puritanism, the work spirals into a dazzling, digressive attack on religious extremism, literary pretension, and the vanity of modern learning. Interwoven with the main narrative are Swift’s scathing “Battle of the Books” and other digressions that expose the absurdities of contemporary culture with savage humor and intellectual brilliance.

Published in 1704, this early masterpiece established Swift as the greatest satirist of his age and remains a landmark of English literature—wild, inventive, and still startlingly relevant.

• First published in 1704
• Jonathan Swift’s first major prose work
• A foundational text of English satire

Formats and delivery

• Paperback — Elegant print edition presenting the complete, unabridged text. Ships in 3–5 business days.
• Hardcover — Elegant print edition presenting the complete, unabridged text. Ships in 5–7 business days.
• EPUB — DRM-free, compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers. Instant download after purchase.
• Audiobook — Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged. Available on Audible, Spotify, Apple Books.

A timeless classic for readers who love sharp satire, intellectual brilliance, and the power of literature to expose human folly.

About the Author

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) was an Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer, and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest prose stylists in the English language. Best known for Gulliver’s Travels and A Modest Proposal, Swift used irony, parody, and savage humor to critique politics, religion, and human nature. His works remain essential reading for their wit, moral force, and enduring insight into the absurdities of society.