Essay topics in this collection include authors, literature, biographies, writing, language (its use and misuse), universities, culture, Chicago and humor.

All of these essays were previously published in journals and anthologies including The Weekly Standard, Commentary (magazine), Claremont Review of Books, Wall Street Journal and others.

In The American Spectator Larry Thornberry said "I consider Epstein to be the finest essayist and columnist on active duty today.

He concluded with: "(Epstein's) work is a kind of literary palate cleansing.

"[1] At Anecdotal Evidence Patrick Kurp said: "At age eighty-three, Epstein remains our most entertaining, wide-ranging, industrious, learned practitioner of both familiar and critical essays.