Chapter 1, Homo Sapiens, Chapter 2, Types of Men Summary and Analysis

Mencken's works cover many topics, and here Mencken has compiled his various thoughts according to various subjects. The subjects have a sort of order which appropriately begin with Mencken's thoughts on the nature of man. Mencken affirmed in the late 1910s and early 20s the view of the modern scientist. Man is not the center of the universe. Rather, he is the product of random, incomprehensible and ultimately meaningless processes.

Mencken thinks it is appropriate that man be dethroned in this way, as he is full of errors and is prone to believe all sorts of ridiculous things. Further, many animals have faculties superior to his and their faculties seem to run them into less trouble than the faculty that makes man unique, his imagination. If one thinks that...