Mark Twain wrote &quot;Roughing It&quot; equipped with his traveling experiences, his brother&#39;s journal, and his imagination. Published in 1872, his book is based on his travels West from 1861-1866.<br /><br />In 1861, Twain opted to travel west with Orion Clemens, his brother and Secretary of the Nevada territory. Through &quot;Roughing It,&quot; he expresses his thoughts on the Pony Express, outlaws, fights, trains, Mormons, travellng through the desert, life in the mountains, prospecting, mining, robberies, shootings, fires, merchants, and funerals.<br /><br />As Twain suggested, &#39;&#39;<i>This book is merely a personal narrative, and not a pretentious history or a philosophical dissertation.</i>&#39;&#39; However, the book is more than a personal narrative; it is a humorous look at the trials and tribulations that Twain encountered during his adventures.