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Disturber of the Peace
s/t: The Life of H.L. Mencken
This fine biography of H.L. Mencken tells of how he rose to his unique position as comic genius and pre-eminent critic of American culture.
This fine biography of H.L. Mencken tells of how he rose to his unique position as comic genius and pre-eminent critic of American culture.
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First published January 1, 1950
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About the author
William Manchester
80 books562 followersWilliam Raymond Manchester was an American author and biographer, notable as the bestselling author of 18 books that have been translated into 20 languages.He was awarded the National Humanities Medal and the Abraham Lincoln Literary Award.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 8, 2015
I read this on a cold Sunday while we were still at our old house, in fact I read 30 pages walking back from the library. These texts cling to you, like Liebling, like Orwell. Those authors were carefully chosen.
Much of journalism's mantle has been maintained by this half-assed reader. One should hence reproduce or "share" with accompanying quotes from Derrida and Donne.
Much of journalism's mantle has been maintained by this half-assed reader. One should hence reproduce or "share" with accompanying quotes from Derrida and Donne.
January 14, 2013
I must admit, I never knew who H. L. Mencken was until I saw some memes on Facebook with his quotes. It piqued my interest. He was a man that spoke his mind even when it was politically or socially "incorrect".
Second generation American of German descent; I use the previous term in that way because I consider those who emigrate to this country and adopt it as their own, should not hyphenate their name. Son of a cigar maker, Mencken did not want to follow his father's footsteps. Henry loved to write and aside from a short time trying, and failing to run the cigar business, he finally got a chance to write for a paper.
Henry, as he went by as a child, took on his "H.L." moniker at an early age when his father got him a printing press for Christmas and in the process of setting it up, his father broke many of the lower case letters. He liked how it looked and it stuck.
Mencken was a clever pundit, academic, critic and author. He was a voracious reader and was reported to have read upwards of 300 pages in one night on a regular basis. He always read lying down.
He was ruthless in his criticism towards religion (Christians), politicos as well as social/communists. I know some may not like him, and that is fine, however I love his wit and although I could take some of his quotes to be offensive, I enjoy and respect others free speech. Mecken was the 1920's version of Larry Flynt meets Bill Maher meets Howard Stern. Hated by many and respected by few.
If you like Mencken, this is a good book to read. I enjoyed it.
Second generation American of German descent; I use the previous term in that way because I consider those who emigrate to this country and adopt it as their own, should not hyphenate their name. Son of a cigar maker, Mencken did not want to follow his father's footsteps. Henry loved to write and aside from a short time trying, and failing to run the cigar business, he finally got a chance to write for a paper.
Henry, as he went by as a child, took on his "H.L." moniker at an early age when his father got him a printing press for Christmas and in the process of setting it up, his father broke many of the lower case letters. He liked how it looked and it stuck.
Mencken was a clever pundit, academic, critic and author. He was a voracious reader and was reported to have read upwards of 300 pages in one night on a regular basis. He always read lying down.
He was ruthless in his criticism towards religion (Christians), politicos as well as social/communists. I know some may not like him, and that is fine, however I love his wit and although I could take some of his quotes to be offensive, I enjoy and respect others free speech. Mecken was the 1920's version of Larry Flynt meets Bill Maher meets Howard Stern. Hated by many and respected by few.
If you like Mencken, this is a good book to read. I enjoyed it.
April 4, 2013
This was not just a good read, but a fun read!
Mencken definitely was "street smart" in the truest sense and this was my formal introduction to his life and some of his writings/milestones. (Author/biographer Manchester notes that while other biographies of Mencken were written, this one still seems to stand out. Probably more to that statement than just being self-serving. Worth noting too that Manchester claims to have burned the original manuscript of the book after passage of time and thought following Mencken's recommendation that it was not worth publishing.) Beauty too was that William Manchester was just starting out in his literary life, so later aspects of Mencken's life was when their paths intertwined.
Mencken sure enjoyed getting people worked up by making provocative and thought-provoking comments, even if a lot of it (perhaps at times most of it) he himself probably did not seriously believe. (Kind of is in the vein of A Modest Proposal. Sure must have been incredible to have been there for the so-called Scopes Monkey Trial with prosecutor William Jennings Bryan insisting humans were NOT mammals.) He probably was right on (I would say alter slightly as upwards) of 99% of people not being interested in thinking for themselves and preferring to talk in cliches and to be led along with the later years the farce of why reporters would demand a 40 hour workweek as if they hated their jobs rather than being eager to cover a hot story and scooping competitors. Also was interesting that for a time he became quite popular, especially with (cynical?) college students and, unlike others, did not seem particularly bothered as the popularity waves waned.
Might write more, but late for now.
Mencken definitely was "street smart" in the truest sense and this was my formal introduction to his life and some of his writings/milestones. (Author/biographer Manchester notes that while other biographies of Mencken were written, this one still seems to stand out. Probably more to that statement than just being self-serving. Worth noting too that Manchester claims to have burned the original manuscript of the book after passage of time and thought following Mencken's recommendation that it was not worth publishing.) Beauty too was that William Manchester was just starting out in his literary life, so later aspects of Mencken's life was when their paths intertwined.
Mencken sure enjoyed getting people worked up by making provocative and thought-provoking comments, even if a lot of it (perhaps at times most of it) he himself probably did not seriously believe. (Kind of is in the vein of A Modest Proposal. Sure must have been incredible to have been there for the so-called Scopes Monkey Trial with prosecutor William Jennings Bryan insisting humans were NOT mammals.) He probably was right on (I would say alter slightly as upwards) of 99% of people not being interested in thinking for themselves and preferring to talk in cliches and to be led along with the later years the farce of why reporters would demand a 40 hour workweek as if they hated their jobs rather than being eager to cover a hot story and scooping competitors. Also was interesting that for a time he became quite popular, especially with (cynical?) college students and, unlike others, did not seem particularly bothered as the popularity waves waned.
Might write more, but late for now.
December 3, 2014
I have always enjoyed H. L. Mencken's wit and humor, so was very interested in finding out more about his life. William Manchester has written a wonderful biography of a man he knew pretty intimately in his last years.
Mencken's father died of a heart attack when he was quite young and he became the man of the house and took care of his mother until her death. She supported him in his efforts of journalism and he loved her very much.
Mencken is most famous for his patronage of authors like Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis and Theodore Dreiser. He wrote critiques of all their books and published several of their short stories in his various magazines.
He also was interested in the Scopes trial, in which he termed " the Monkey Trial". When the movie "Inherit the Wind" came out his character was played by Gene Kelly.
He married late in life to a Southern woman named Sarah Haardt whom he met when supporting women's right to vote. After a seven year courtship they were married and Sarah died five years later from tuberculosis. Mencken was devastated.
He lived a very interesting life and supported freedom and racial and women's rights before it was a popular thing to do. He also was a great supporter of Germany and had a hard time during the two World Wars.
Manchester has written a loving biography of a man he deeply admired. I enjoyed this book.
Mencken's father died of a heart attack when he was quite young and he became the man of the house and took care of his mother until her death. She supported him in his efforts of journalism and he loved her very much.
Mencken is most famous for his patronage of authors like Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis and Theodore Dreiser. He wrote critiques of all their books and published several of their short stories in his various magazines.
He also was interested in the Scopes trial, in which he termed " the Monkey Trial". When the movie "Inherit the Wind" came out his character was played by Gene Kelly.
He married late in life to a Southern woman named Sarah Haardt whom he met when supporting women's right to vote. After a seven year courtship they were married and Sarah died five years later from tuberculosis. Mencken was devastated.
He lived a very interesting life and supported freedom and racial and women's rights before it was a popular thing to do. He also was a great supporter of Germany and had a hard time during the two World Wars.
Manchester has written a loving biography of a man he deeply admired. I enjoyed this book.
August 12, 2024
I happen to find myself reading H. L. Machen's writing on the obituary of J. Greshem Machen (no relation) and knew enough about both men that I thought it would be interesting to read biographies of these very opposite and similar men back to back. Since I knew less about H. L. Machen, I figured I'd start with him.
This is a part of what H. L. said about J. Greshem, "The Rev. J. Gresham Machen, D. D., who died out in North Dakota on New Year's Day, got, on the whole, a bad press while he lived, and even his obituaries did much less than justice to him. To newspaper reporters, as to other antinomians, a combat between Christians over a matter of dogma is essentially a comic affair, and in consequence Dr. Machen's heroic struggles to save Calvinism in the Republic were usually depicted in ribald, or, at all events, in somewhat skeptical terms. The generality of readers, I suppose, gathered thereby the notion that he was simply another Fundamentalist on the order of William Jennings Bryan and the simian faithful of Appalachia. But he was actually a man of great learning, and, what is more, of sharp intelligence."
Reading this biography of H. L. Machen (who will, from now on, be referred to as Machen) this is odd high praise from someone so against Christianity but also on point with someone so intelligent but always bucking the trend of his day. This review is going to be more about the book than the man but with biographies the divorce between the two is a bit harder.
The style of this biography is probably the quintessential approach of what you want in a biography but was probably a bit long in the tooth in areas. As Machen was a press man, the access to his writings are way more available than someone not so much in the spotlight. The biography does what should be done in the beginning in that it starts with a sprint from the family history, moves into a fast jog in the mother and father and upbringing, and slow down to a jaunt through the subject's life while taking a stroll through some of the bigger points in time. The use of linear storytelling with quotes from Machen's writings or writings about Machen give you the perfect insight into who Machen was both publically and privately. Although the author doesn't hold back in showing Machen's faults, both what Machen would agree about himself and what having an outside perspective allows one to see.
The biggest negative in this book is the section on the Scope's Monkey Trial. It's clear Machen played a key role in it and is known for being a part of it. However, during this section, Machen almost disappears and becomes more of an eyewitness before leaving the scene for several pages. If you wanted to know more about the Scope's Trial, I guess the author figured the reader would want a lot more detail. Because there is so much writing from and about Machen, there are times when the book tends to slow down. The author does a good job of continuing to reveal certain character traits of Machen throughout his life. There is also enough detail to inform you about what certain ideologies, historical events, or ideas that may not be so well known.
I was really impressed with this book and I see in Machen's commentary on J. Greshem Machen's obituary a good many things of this man who bucked the trend of his day but whistle a little too often passed graveyards when it came to Christianity. He was a rebel for his day that was needed and someone that modern-day authors and commentators would attempt to embody but that intellectual typification is lost to us in time and with technology. The Hunter S. Thompson before everyone wanted their own Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Here is a very good book about a man worth remembering and worth learning about and worth learning from - both in demeanor and in warning. Final Grade - B+
This is a part of what H. L. said about J. Greshem, "The Rev. J. Gresham Machen, D. D., who died out in North Dakota on New Year's Day, got, on the whole, a bad press while he lived, and even his obituaries did much less than justice to him. To newspaper reporters, as to other antinomians, a combat between Christians over a matter of dogma is essentially a comic affair, and in consequence Dr. Machen's heroic struggles to save Calvinism in the Republic were usually depicted in ribald, or, at all events, in somewhat skeptical terms. The generality of readers, I suppose, gathered thereby the notion that he was simply another Fundamentalist on the order of William Jennings Bryan and the simian faithful of Appalachia. But he was actually a man of great learning, and, what is more, of sharp intelligence."
Reading this biography of H. L. Machen (who will, from now on, be referred to as Machen) this is odd high praise from someone so against Christianity but also on point with someone so intelligent but always bucking the trend of his day. This review is going to be more about the book than the man but with biographies the divorce between the two is a bit harder.
The style of this biography is probably the quintessential approach of what you want in a biography but was probably a bit long in the tooth in areas. As Machen was a press man, the access to his writings are way more available than someone not so much in the spotlight. The biography does what should be done in the beginning in that it starts with a sprint from the family history, moves into a fast jog in the mother and father and upbringing, and slow down to a jaunt through the subject's life while taking a stroll through some of the bigger points in time. The use of linear storytelling with quotes from Machen's writings or writings about Machen give you the perfect insight into who Machen was both publically and privately. Although the author doesn't hold back in showing Machen's faults, both what Machen would agree about himself and what having an outside perspective allows one to see.
The biggest negative in this book is the section on the Scope's Monkey Trial. It's clear Machen played a key role in it and is known for being a part of it. However, during this section, Machen almost disappears and becomes more of an eyewitness before leaving the scene for several pages. If you wanted to know more about the Scope's Trial, I guess the author figured the reader would want a lot more detail. Because there is so much writing from and about Machen, there are times when the book tends to slow down. The author does a good job of continuing to reveal certain character traits of Machen throughout his life. There is also enough detail to inform you about what certain ideologies, historical events, or ideas that may not be so well known.
I was really impressed with this book and I see in Machen's commentary on J. Greshem Machen's obituary a good many things of this man who bucked the trend of his day but whistle a little too often passed graveyards when it came to Christianity. He was a rebel for his day that was needed and someone that modern-day authors and commentators would attempt to embody but that intellectual typification is lost to us in time and with technology. The Hunter S. Thompson before everyone wanted their own Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Here is a very good book about a man worth remembering and worth learning about and worth learning from - both in demeanor and in warning. Final Grade - B+
January 20, 2025
3 1/2 stars. While HLM was too smart and talented to be dismissed as a bombastic shock-jock of his day, his provocateur shtick did not age well. As Manchester ably describes, the gadfly persona that served HLM so well in the Teens and Twenties, quickly lost its appeal in the Thirties. His descent into irrelevance was so precipitous that it was first time I felt sympathy for him, a professional loss made all the worse by the personal loss of his wife. His resurgence in popularity in the Forties was due more to his 3-part memoirs than his public commentary, but regardless, you can't help cheering this turn in fortunes for a man who relished intellectual debate. A series of strokes late in life robbed him of the things he treasured most: language and speech. The devotion of his friends, including Manchester, during this period of dispiriting decline says much about the sincerity and depth of his character, and the generosity of his friendship. Yes, he was too quick to label every target a "moron," to the point of monotony, but overall, Manchester, whose assessments come close to lapsing into hagiography now and then, persuade me that HLM was a major figure in the world of journalism, one whose legacy is worth preserving and celebrating.
One note of complaint regarding the audio edition: many times I found it difficult to distinguish the reader's expository voice from his imitation of HLM's speech, to the point that I couldn't tell who was speaking, and ended up having to rewind more than a few passages. Particularly frustrating when you're listening in the car.
One note of complaint regarding the audio edition: many times I found it difficult to distinguish the reader's expository voice from his imitation of HLM's speech, to the point that I couldn't tell who was speaking, and ended up having to rewind more than a few passages. Particularly frustrating when you're listening in the car.
July 31, 2018
A well written book about an interesting character. I knew nothing about H. L. Mencken before starting the book. Manchester writes extremely well, and I felt especially impressed that he finished a biography of this depth while still in his 30s. Acquaintance with Mencken gladdens me, and I want to see if I can find some of his writing somewhere. He does one signature thing I like: during major historic events he will pause the narrative and describe everyone's activities at that time. "Everyone" that would later come to fame like presidents, authors, celebrities and the like.
Since Mencken doesn't have the popularity now that he did in the 50s, I wouldn't recommend the book to most people. But if someone already likes Mencken, then I would strongly recommend it.
Since Mencken doesn't have the popularity now that he did in the 50s, I wouldn't recommend the book to most people. But if someone already likes Mencken, then I would strongly recommend it.
January 15, 2021
The life of a writer is a solitary one. While I'm an admirer of his epigrams, he sounds like someone who would be difficult to take. He was angry and sad much of his life, leaving many great quotes. A curmudgeon, modernist, and reactionary, he was riddled with contradictions and self-destructive behavior. The beginnings and ends were perfunctory, with most of the action taking place over a roughly 10 year span between 1921 and 1930. Outside of that span, the book dragged. Isn't that the nature of so many lives as well?
May 17, 2021
Interesting biography of H.L. Mencken, a literary and political critic of great renown in his day but mostly forgotten now. Manchester's book is full of great detail of Mencken's life, given his personal access to Mencken and friendship. Manchester does attempt to be objective, pointing out Mencken's missteps and shortcomings, but it is on the whole a very positive look at his subject. A wonderful critic like Mencken would not be tolerated today I fear; too unabashed in this harshness and scorn.
February 28, 2022
What I'm reading about today in the book:
The Smart Set, an American literary magazine, under the editorship of H. L. Mencken and George Jean Nathan, offered many up-and-coming authors their start and gave them access to a relatively large audience: Theodore Dreiser, Ambrose Bierce, and Sinclair Lewis.
In 1909, Mencken joined SS's newly hired theater critic George Jean Nathan, as he "defied conventional mores, wrote in a saucy style, and projected a magisterial attitude."
Mencken, dared to criticize the often-sited and most beloved, Carl Sandburg. Mencken said "Sandburg ruined Lincoln's life." While Mencken's criticisms were not always tasteful, I sure would love to have someone in the 2020s who stands up for his opinions in a logical way--showcasing the heroes and chastising the villains--no matter the Twitter response. Refreshing to hear of someone who called McCarthy a coward, 20 years before the rest of America.
One of his final books, "A Mencken Chrestomathy" is a collection of mostly Mencken's essays from his out of print books. "Chrestomathy" according to the dictionary, is a "collection of writings chosen by the author." And with that in mind, I might just have to order it too.
The Smart Set, an American literary magazine, under the editorship of H. L. Mencken and George Jean Nathan, offered many up-and-coming authors their start and gave them access to a relatively large audience: Theodore Dreiser, Ambrose Bierce, and Sinclair Lewis.
In 1909, Mencken joined SS's newly hired theater critic George Jean Nathan, as he "defied conventional mores, wrote in a saucy style, and projected a magisterial attitude."
Mencken, dared to criticize the often-sited and most beloved, Carl Sandburg. Mencken said "Sandburg ruined Lincoln's life." While Mencken's criticisms were not always tasteful, I sure would love to have someone in the 2020s who stands up for his opinions in a logical way--showcasing the heroes and chastising the villains--no matter the Twitter response. Refreshing to hear of someone who called McCarthy a coward, 20 years before the rest of America.
One of his final books, "A Mencken Chrestomathy" is a collection of mostly Mencken's essays from his out of print books. "Chrestomathy" according to the dictionary, is a "collection of writings chosen by the author." And with that in mind, I might just have to order it too.
May 21, 2017
A mostly interesting biography of a true American original. What a character! Mencken was a journalist who enjoyed poking fun, (and often smashing) cherished American conventions. And he did it with great vigor and humor. For example, he collected Gideon Bibles in order to send them to pompous churchmen. He signed each copy, "The Author". His quotes are many and legendary. The book did get a little drawn out, though.
May 18, 2018
Great book. I have been fascinated by Mencken since college. Amazingly biting but hilarious. A curmudgeon if the highest order.
September 26, 2020
wonderful introduction to a complex and important man.
May 11, 2022
Manchester'first book, so not his best. But fun to read one good writer writing about another.
May 10, 2024
I read this many years ago and it was my introduction to Mencken. Manchester was a respected historian and I liked his work, though some of his word choices were way over my head.
August 2, 2021
An outstanding biography of H.L. Mencken from his friend, protégé, and famous writer in his own right William Manchester. "Disturber" breathes life and three dimensionality into the persona, work, and legacy of Mencken. The layers, complexities, seeming contradictions, but fundamental consistency of how Mencken thought and lived are beautifully laid out, with the rigor of a skilled journalist, and the insight of a close friend. I was hesitant to read the last few pages because I didn't want the book to end. 5/5
October 2, 2015
H.L. Mencken was a Baltimore newspaperman, social critic, satirist, bon vivant and all around irascible sage from the early 20th century to his passing at age 75 in 1956.
With quotes like, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public" and "Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable," Mencken lived and loved that great gilded age. He started writing for popular magazines like "The Smart Set", gaining fans and boosting readership. Then starting his own periodical "The American Mercury" in 1924 made him a national journalistic force.
The fact that you may not have heard of him might make this bio even more of a draw. William Manchester made Mencken the subject of his first book. Manchester was a cub reporter for The Baltimore Sun and admired Mencken and his grasp of humanity. This 1951 book reads well and flows through the rollicking decades with flair and fluidity.
I live in Maryland and enjoyed the Baltimore references. Many of Mencken's haunts are with us still.
With quotes like, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public" and "Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable," Mencken lived and loved that great gilded age. He started writing for popular magazines like "The Smart Set", gaining fans and boosting readership. Then starting his own periodical "The American Mercury" in 1924 made him a national journalistic force.
The fact that you may not have heard of him might make this bio even more of a draw. William Manchester made Mencken the subject of his first book. Manchester was a cub reporter for The Baltimore Sun and admired Mencken and his grasp of humanity. This 1951 book reads well and flows through the rollicking decades with flair and fluidity.
I live in Maryland and enjoyed the Baltimore references. Many of Mencken's haunts are with us still.
August 16, 2014
H.L. Mencken is an endlessly fascinating character and I'm very glad to have gotten around to reading more about him. In total, I found this book a little dry and of questionable value 64 years after it was published. There is much in the book that went straight over my head for lack of context. The author, writing at a time when his subject was still alive and many of the cultural references were well-known, did not really need to do more explaining than he did.
Besides that a book's value typically decays with time, it simply wasn't the page turner I'd hoped for. The author should be commended for trying to properly capture the "Menckenese" of which he wrote, but it was simply a lot of history and not as much story. My time might have been better spent simply reading the Wikipedia page and then one of Mencken's many books.
Besides that a book's value typically decays with time, it simply wasn't the page turner I'd hoped for. The author should be commended for trying to properly capture the "Menckenese" of which he wrote, but it was simply a lot of history and not as much story. My time might have been better spent simply reading the Wikipedia page and then one of Mencken's many books.
November 12, 2012
One of our finest biographers on one of our greatest curmudgeons. Is Mencken not an official synonym for curmudgeon? This was first published in 1950 before the accomplishments of American Caesar, The Last Lion and his book on the Kennedy assassination (still one of the most poignant and literate) but rings with the same style and authority. Manchester knew Mencken and yet his portrait does not elide overt the faults while at the same time describing the raw genius of the Sage of Baltimore.
November 22, 2010
Wonderful Entertainment. His way with words makes me want to go to some musty old University Library and read issues of "The American Mercury." I never knew much about him before reading this book. I think I was missing out on a lot.
October 9, 2009
what a great curmudgeon. I like someone willing to thumb his nose at anyone who takes themselves too seriously, especially narrow-minded people. good biography of the cynic who famously covered the Scopes Monkey trial
December 14, 2010
One of the top five literary characters in American history written by my favorite biographer. This book was pure dessert. Loved every word of it. Manchester was a protege of Mencken's but that doesn't stop him from detailing the old man's faults, which are the best part of him.
Read
September 23, 2010Disturber of the Peace: The Life of H.L. Mencken (Commonwealth Classics in Biography) by William Raymond Manchester (1986)
March 21, 2011
I love me a Manchester book
June 2, 2014
This is a biography of H L Mencken. He was an interesting character, a genius of sorts, and Manchester was a fine biographer. A great combination.
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