Anybody with an interest in free speech issues will find this account of the "Hatrack Case" fascinating and entertaining. The book recounts an attempt by the federal government to censor a 1926 issue of Mencken's magazine, The American Mercury, because of an ostensibly pornographic short story that appeared in it. Mencken, of course, is a great writer, and this only adds to the appeal of this book. Mencken regarded free speech as our most important liberty, and this book reveals that he was willing to risk a jail sentence to combat censorship.

Ohio Univ. Press has finally released the long awaited edited, annotated volume of Mencken's literary reviews and essays dating generally from 1910 to 1930, most having never been reprinted before now, and it is a wonderful collection.
In addition to being a renowned newspaper reporter, editorial wirter, and drama critic for both the Baltimore Herald and Baltimore Evening Sun, Mencken worked as a book reviewer for both the Smaart Set and American Mercury magazines. From 1908 to the mid 30's he wrote thousands of reviews and essays and became one of the most trusted, and feared, literary critics of the twentieth century.
Trying to review this collection is a bit like sitting down to a gourmet Thanksgiving dinner. It's sometimes difficult to decide where to begin given the wonderful selection available. Mencken stated his motives in writing reviews was "...principally to clear the ground of moldering rubbish, to chase away old ghosts, to help set the artist free. The work of erecting new structure belongs primarily to the artist as creator, not to me as critic." To that end he reviewed most if not all of the important writers of the early twentieth century and his sometimes tart, provocative, always entertaining opinions are a delight to read. He considered Mark Twain to be the"...largest figure that ever reared itself out of the flat, damp prairie of American literature." Indeed, Twain was believed by Mencken to be "...the noblest literary artist who ever set pen to paper on American soil..." He found Ambrose Bierce to be "...a good deal damaged by the excessive praises of his partisans..." but ultimately a worthy writer that was capable of producing in The Devil's Dictionary "...the most brilliant stuff, first and last, that America has ever produced." Not in a class with Twain but a worthy contributor to American literature. The anecdote about Mencken's first reading, in galley proofs, of Main Street by Sinclair Lewis is a pure delight. "That idiot has written a masterpiece" must surely go down as a classic quote in literary history. Space does not permit the in-depth review this book deserves. Suffice it to say that such authors as Willa Cather, Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry James, F. Scott Fitzgerald and dozens of other legendary literary figures were subjected to the scrutiny of Mencken and some, but by no means all, were considered worthy of his praise. Some for very different reasons than the reader might expect but rest assured all make for good reading.
This is a must book for readers, students, scholars and writers of all persuasions that are interested in great writing by a literary giant in his own right that is gone but surely,with the publication of this book, not forgotten. This is a prime example of quality publications typically offered by university presses and Ohio University Press is to be commended for the effort.

H.L. Mencken temporarily resigned from his job as a newspaper columnist before the Second World War, deeming his political opinions too controversial for print. In the ensuing interregnal period, he focused his attention on writing a series of memoirs, which later turned into a three volume autobiography, of which Happy Days is the first part. In its pages, he relates his early fascination with police officers, food, literature and pedagogues, subjects that forever interested him. He also, astonishingly, recounts successful athletic exploits (astonishing because he grew into a rotund and stumpy man, who considered sports "nonsensical"). Readers familiar with Mencken's caustic columns will enjoy learning how his strong opinions were formed. Readers unfamiliar with him should still find this book highly palatable, for it is colorfully written, interfusing "the language of the free lunch counter" with latin phrases and searing adjectives. This memoir is as well-written as later newspaper columnist Russell Baker's "Growing Up," but is a hell of a lot funnier.

Bode's biography of Mencken changed my life, in that is was an introduction to the Baltimore critic Mencken's role in shaping libertarian thought and appreciation. Actually, I daydreamed back in college through a linguistics class that used Mencken's American Language textbook, but it took Bode's biography to teach me how important Mencken was to realism and the fight against puritans and Big Government pablum. While I ignored the classics in school, Bode's story of Mencken's critique of the great writers of the 20's and 30's gave me a list of books to read. As a libertarian Mencken's favorites -- Theodore Dreiser, Joseph Conrad, Sinclair Lewis, etc. -- have delighted me as much as Bode's biography. The lonely, creative individualist in Dreiser's "The Genius" and Conrad's "Victory" is the same character that Mencken is. For that matter, Ayn Rand seems to be in a similar class as Mencken. Thank God I stumbled upon Bode's book.

This collection of essays--with an elegy by Russell Baker for the Baltimore Evening Sun--highlighting H.L. Mencken's life and times should delight confirmed Menckenites and acquaint those to whom the "Sage of Baltimore" is unknown with the reasons why he was a major journalistic force for much of the twentieth century. The purpose of Mencken Revisited, the author tells us, is to "introduce Mencken and to guide the reader into hitherto unexplored paths." That purpose is laudably fulfilled, with prose lucidly clear, and subjects suitably interesting: HLM as editor, HLM as defender of the First Amendment, and some things of HLM himself. This book is not a biography, but provides an overview and a useful guide to Mencken's work and books about HLM. Harrison mounts a vigorous defense of Mencken as-bigot and explains why Mencken could never exist as a journalist today. Often as acerbic and opinionated as Mencken himself, Harrison demonstrates his exasperation with modern modes of "politically correct" writing and disdain for the continuing inept journalism education that Mencken castigated. Harrison, author of The Editorial Art of Edmund Duffy (1998), employs Duffy cartoons and a gem by Kevin Kallaugher (KAL) to illustrate this informative book, accompanied by relevant pages from the Evening Sun in 1938, when Mencken served briefly as editorial page editor.

Carl Bode's "New Mencken Letters" is a richly thick volume of personal letters involving the internationally renowned newspaper editor and writer H. L. Mencken. I strongly recommend this book to Mencken aficionados who desire to read privately intimate glimpses of Henry Louis Mencken's correspondence.
H. L. Mencken was a product of Baltimore, Maryland. He wrote a myriad of books, letters and columns where he espoused his opinion upon a vast number of topics. Although an eclectic far smaller selection of his letters appear in this compendium it is estimated that Mencken wrote an unbelievable 100,000 letters in his lifetime.
Mencken was one of the most entertaining writers in history. He was a true original who was an iconoclast and a skeptic. His concision and novelty of expression makes him one of the most quotable American writers. The famed Hollywood comedian Groucho Marx enjoyed reading Mencken and he wrote to him on occasion ( although no correspondence of his appears in this book ).
H. L. Mencken personally knew some members of my mother's family. Baltimore newspaper editor Richard Dennis Steuart ( his pen name was "Carroll Dulaney" ) was for thirty years one of H. L. Mencken's best friends. Richard Steuart was also a longtime friend of my great-grandfather Boston Fear's family. Boston Fear created Walbrook ( originally known as Fearville ): Baltimore, Maryland's very first suburb in the 1890's. I found this book very helpful in my own ancestral research. Carl Bode's volume contains two private letters exchanged between Richard D. Steuart and H. L. Mencken. One letter was sent from Mencken to Steuart and the other letter was sent from Steuart to Mencken. This book was also useful to me in that it contained two letters exchanged between H. L. Mencken and Baltimore bookseller Meredith Janvier. One letter displayed was sent from H. L. Mencken to Meredith Janvier and the other exhibited letter shown is from Meredith Janvier to H. L. Mencken. Meredith Janvier also knew my relatives during the turn-of-the-twentieth-century Baltimore. Janvier describes my great-grandfather Boston Fear in the delightful Baltimore book entitled "Baltimore in the Eighties and Nineties".
The book "New Mencken Letters" will also give the reader an idea of Mencken's attitude towards topics, his life-style, and some of the activities of early twentieth century Baltimore. All H. L. Mencken scholars should purchase this book for their own personal library.

It's great to see that much of Mencken's work is still available to the common people. It shouldn't be isolated in Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library, and/or Johns Hopkins' University.

The H.L.Mencken room at the Pratt, has been called "the cradle of 20th Century literature." Alistair Cooke, said it exists..."for the comfort of sinners and the astonishment of the virtuous."

As you can see, the author of "Newspaper Days: 1899-1906", was regarded as an iconoclast during his lifetime, and is still celebrated for fresh, refreshing views and commentary. H.L. Mencken was, above all else, a critic.

Mencken wrote his autobiography in three separate volumes cumulatively known, in the world of journalism and literature, as the "Days Books". In addition to the work under consideration here: "Newspaper Days", the other two are "Happy Days: 1880-1892", and "Heathen Days: 1890-1936." As the title suggest, this book looks at H.L. Mencken's life from 1899, when at 19 he began his half-century career in journalism - at the now defunct Baltimore Morning Herald - through his move to the local newspaper of record: The Baltimore Evening Sun. This relationship with the Sun Papers (there was also a Morning Sun) lasted until 1950, when H.L.M. retired from the board of parent A.S. Abell Company.

It was apparent, even this early in the career of "the irreverent Mr. Mencken", that his niche was writing opinion and criticism; some of it shocking to the establishment; all of it entertaining.

Don't let the early period under discussion in this book (1899-1906) lead anyone to believe that the material is dated or old fashioned. Au contraire, Mencken is indeed talking of events which occured a long time ago, but evey word is perfect for the job it is called upon to do. His diction and syntax are all-important.

After all, the reason for remembering and reading a critic of an earlier time, like Mencken, is not the issues he wrote about, but the manner in which he said what he said. It is the WAY he said it -- he was a stylist.

A great man. A great book. Enjoy!

Author Henry Miller lists Mencken's Prejudices series (which was published in six volumes) as one of the "hundred books which influenced me most" in his famous list subjoined to "The Books In My Life." Having just completed reading a tattered copy of volume one, I can say in all sincerity that I have rarely enjoyed a book more. Prejudices is a compilation of Mencken's literary and theatrical critiques, and on display are his unparalleled lexicon, his sardonic wit, his exasperation with human incompetance and pomposity, and his appreciation for the rare instances of human greatness. If you have a good sense of humor and despise political correctness, settle down on the sofa and relish one of his 10 to 20 page vignettes. This is as close to nirvana as you can come with a book, but be forewarned! Keep your dictionary very handy until you have mastered Mencken's hilarious vernacular.

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Why should a Christian read this book? This is a very scathing critque of Christianity and points to it as the cause of many of the modern ills of society. If you are a Christian, reading this book will make you re-evaluate the way you are living. He attacks the modern trends of anti-philosophy and anti-intellectualism among Christians. These things need to be addressed!

It must be stated that Nietzsche hated Christianity, but if your faith can stand against his critcism, then you will be better off for having read this book.

Even though some of Nietzsche's attacks against Christianity are true, it does seem that he sets up the religion as a straw man and as a scapegoat. If you look beyond this, and the fact that he wrote this right before he lost his marbles, you will find a benefit in reading this.

Nietzsche's The Anti-Christ is the most revealing piece of writing concerning Christianity. Although Nietzsche tends to repeat himself often, the book offers an insightful look at the history of Christianity and how it is affecting our lives today.

Nietzsche discusses the affects Christianity has on our society, including limiting education for the good of the church. Thanks to Nietzsche's enlightened ideas, I personally feel we would be much more technologically advanced if it was not for the limitations set upon us by the churches.

I would recommend reading Nietzsche's other writings, especially Genealogy of Morals, to understand why he feels so critical toward Christianity. In conclusion, Mencken's translation of The Anti-Christ keeps intact Neitzsche's original thoughts concerning Christianity and religion as a whole.

This is Nietzsche's most vigorous work; it conains in little over one hundred pages, a summary of his later philosophy, and as such, should probably be read after all of his other works if one means to avoid misunderstanding what Nietzsche is saying. He portrays Christianity in gory detail as the religion of revenge, dishonesty, small-mindedness and pity which it is, and a leading cause of the west's descent into nihilism. (A reading of this book almost forms a mini spiritual biography of western civilisation of the last three centuries). The adherence to a religion like Christianity forms a sort of enslavement to an outdated meaning system thus causing anyone with a scrap of intellectual integrity to lie to theirselves as a means of supporting a bankrupt world-view and while appropriate for Zarathustra's "last men", is death for all higher types, and had waged a bitter war against all manner of vitality, stregnth and honour which are the hallmarks of die ubermensche. He talks of the psychology of the priest and the natural hatred of science that they all possess as well as the slave morality and cowardice that Christianity promotes, but for all the vim that the book possesses, it is not a very scholarly work, and contains many errors. Nietzsche understandably finds it difficult to restrain himself, but this gives the work a sort of amateurish tone. Mencken has done a wonderful job here -- all the more because he had a deep appreciation for Nietzsche -- the man and his work. For those who cannot understand Nietzsche's "hatred" of Christianity, I would recommend a very thorough reading of the Geneology of Morals, which goes into much greater detail and is much more scholarly and will provide better insight into the anti-Chrsitian perspective. One of the jewels of modern literature.