I came across this book in a used bookstore on a college campus. I purchased it without more than a few quick page flips to see the type of content. It didn't really matter, though as Twain is my favorite author. The "student" who owned this book previously underlined several passages extensively, and sloppily at that. If they had spent time reading Twain instead of trying to underline every phrase, it might have made a difference. On the other hand, perhaps they were blind, and wanted to underling the important phrases. It makes half of the book virtually illegible. So I purchased it new from amazon.com, along with the first volume, which I am sure will be as delightful.

This is a wonderful book (reading the legible half), and is now one of my favorites. Twain's essays and humorous bits are hilarious, and provide an excellent view into his opinions and life. His piece on cigars is hilarious, and the Adam's Diary selection is a must read.

I've haven't even read one of Twain's novels, which no doubt makes me a heathen in the literary world, but I really enjoyed this collection of essays. Gosh, I would have loved to meet this guy. He seems as obnoxious as a professional wrestler, but has an uncanny talent for being right.

My favorite essay is, "A Cure For the Blues," where Twain endlessly rags on a popular author of the time. The guy may still be popular, I don't know, but Twain had plenty of reason to rag on him, and I really do consider Twain's critique to be a cure for the blues. It's hilarious.