For those interested in Twain's later works, there are ample opportunities to see the seeds of that work here in the earliest stages. There is a series of "Around the World" letters that Twain later recycled into the novel Roughing It. There is an early version of the essay "A Day at Niagara," which was later reworked and expanded by Twain. Readers will also see the first incarnation of the essay "A Wild Extravaganza," which is called "The Facts in the Case of George Fisher, Deceased" in this initial form. There are many opportunities for readers to catch glimpses of future works in these early writings.

For those interested in the personality of Mark Twain, there is plenty of insight here. He uses his wit, humor, and wicked pen to rail against the way that journalism was practiced at the time. He vociferously expresses his outrage at the treatment of former slaves in post Civil War America. There are also early examples of "hoax" pieces and burlesque sketches. According to the editors, "The burlesques represented in the Express material evolve from Twain's slapstick humor into a progressively more sophisticated humor, depending less on the foolish excesses of the narrator and more on diction, understatement and contrast."

This book contains a number of short pieces. Some of them are focused on the "hot topics" of the day (Twain waded right into a scandal involving Harriet Beecher Stowe and Lord and Lady Byron). In addition, many of the pieces are focused on local events of the time that may have limited interest for modern readers. Since the book is arranged chronologically, readers may get bogged down in these pieces at times. However, those who persevere to find the gems within the book will be well rewarded.