content: No doubt the man was a gifted wordsmith and an entertaining read. But his colorful irascibility about practically anything under the sun did get tiresome at some points in this selection. His quasi-obituary about William Jennings Bryan was one hell of a mean-spirited diatribe. Wow, talk about kicking a person when their down. Also, I don't ever recall having to use my electronic dictionary so frequently with any other author. Half the fun was laughing when I discovered the meanings of some of the words he had used. Yet, despite Mr. Mencken's surliness, his remarkable writing and insights made the book well worth reading. Just keep your dictionary handy.