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Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 2: The Complete and Authoritative Edition
by
Mark Twain
,
Benjamin Griffin
,
Harriet E. Smith
,
Victor Fischer
,
Michael B. Frank
,
Sharon K. Goetz
(Goodreads Author)
,
Leslie Diane Myrick
Mark Twain’s complete, uncensored
Autobiography
was an instant bestseller when the first volume was published in 2010, on the centennial of the author’s death, as he requested. Published to rave reviews, the
Autobiography
was hailed as the capstone of Twain’s career. It captures his authentic and unsuppressed voice, speaking clearly from the grave and brimming with humor,
...more
Hardcover
,
776 pages
Published
October 5th 2013
by University of California Press
(first published January 1st 1924)
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Community Reviews
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In publishing his memoirs one hundred years after his death, Mark Twain has shown himself to be an excellent judge of his place in history as well as a savvy salesman. With the surprise success of his first volume of memoirs in 2010, Twain can now be rightfully said to be a best-seller in the 19th and 21st centuries.
Like the last volume, Twain refuses to adhere to the usual order of memoirs, starting with birth and ending with death. Instead, he follows the strict rule of 'whatever I feel like t ...more
Like the last volume, Twain refuses to adhere to the usual order of memoirs, starting with birth and ending with death. Instead, he follows the strict rule of 'whatever I feel like t ...more
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Wow. Many of Twain's observations, particularly about politics and human nature, still hold true today. His sense of humor is even more playful, satirical, and sarcastic than the books he published during his lifetime because he is free to say anything he likes about anyone, knowing his words won't be published until 100 years after his death. (And kudos to the publishing world for respecting his wishes!)
Anxiously awaiting volume 3.
Anxiously awaiting volume 3.
Over the past three months I've listened to both volumes of the Autobiography of Mark Twain. They are nothing short of phenomenal. Twain decreed his autobiography would not be published for one hundred years after his death. This gave him the freedom to talk about anything he chose, about anyone he chose. Those affected including children and grand children would be dead before publication of the autobioography.
This is not a birth to death autobiography. Twain dictated whatever came into his min ...more
This is not a birth to death autobiography. Twain dictated whatever came into his min ...more
I read Volume 1 extremely fast; I struggled to get through Volume 2. It was no doubt my fault, and Samuel L. cannot be blamed.
And so THE publishing event of the century continues... When volume one came out in 2010, 100 years after Twain's death there was something of a media storm and the book topped the best-seller lists around the world, however the book seemed to bemuse more people than it delighted, I don't believe this volume has sold nearly as well, it ain't a conventional autobiography, then again Twain wasn't a conventional man. Put it simply if you didn't like volume one, if you found it too disjointed and ra
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Where to even begin - how dare I review a Titan of literature? With this second volume, I am reminded of how important Twain is: he innovated the written word at a key time in world history, let alone American development. His wit shines through even brighter in this one, less careful, more bite. And some of it is absolutely timeless "The political & commercial morals of the US aren't merely food for laughter, they're a banquet" 30 Jan 1907
This is one to keep and flip backwards and forwards. ...more
This is one to keep and flip backwards and forwards. ...more
Listening to Mark Twain's autobiography is like having a sassy dead friend who likes to dish the dirt with a wicked sense of humor.
Review title: Twain twice
When we last encountered Mr. Clements in volume 1 he was lounging about in his signature white suit dictating his "autobiography"--which was a rambling un-chronological stroll through whatever popped into his fertile mind that particular day. As we learned in the detailed introduction to that volume the notes were never compiled and produced as a single comprehensive autobiography until now. Volume 2 continues with these mostly daily notes from 1906 and 1907 although by ...more
When we last encountered Mr. Clements in volume 1 he was lounging about in his signature white suit dictating his "autobiography"--which was a rambling un-chronological stroll through whatever popped into his fertile mind that particular day. As we learned in the detailed introduction to that volume the notes were never compiled and produced as a single comprehensive autobiography until now. Volume 2 continues with these mostly daily notes from 1906 and 1907 although by ...more
It would be wrong to say that Volume 2 is a continuation of Volume 1, as Twain’s autobiography is not chronological. Twain decided to dictate his autobiography, and if his fancy took in to a non-chronological tangent he did not hesitate. This also helps the book to read like fiction – just another interesting story from a master.
I am entirely biased in this review since Twain is one of my favorite dead people. Even among living people, Twain’s corpse might pose stiff (pun intended) competition a ...more
I am entirely biased in this review since Twain is one of my favorite dead people. Even among living people, Twain’s corpse might pose stiff (pun intended) competition a ...more
This is the second of three volumes to be published of the Complete and Authoritative Edition of Mark Twain's massive biography, and like the first, it is worth the commitment. Mark Twain designed a unique technique for his biography; he abandoned chronological order, and simply told stories from his life and work as they popped into his head, in no particular order. He dictated much of it, often with his biographer present as audience. As such, this biography is very much like sitting down with
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It is a little more than slightly unbelievable that this autobiography was released a 100 years after Mark Twain's death - for more than one reason and for very different reasons. First, the idea that it was hidden from most for so long seems quite impossible, but that of course is the allure - and what an allure it is.
Secondly, and most shocking, is the content of the book and the author's thoughts are so relevant today. Twain notes at one point that one's temperament (or nature) is unchangeab ...more
Secondly, and most shocking, is the content of the book and the author's thoughts are so relevant today. Twain notes at one point that one's temperament (or nature) is unchangeab ...more
Love Twain - the folksy humor and witty quips, the loving devotion to his wife and three daughters that shines through in every description of their activities, the barbs directed at publishers, authors, critics, etc. Not being a Twain scholar, I was surprised by some things I didn't know about, including his loathing later in life of Bret Harte for his personal failings (Harte's relationship or lack thereof with his family being the polar opposite of Twain's). Definitely complete and authoritat
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Things I found interesting are that this book is dictated. Twain says he didn't 'write' this book. It reads like a journal, that's for sure. Twain was a speaker, as much as a writer, in his time. It was out of necessity, though, as publishers wrote contracts that gave them the money for his writing, more than probably was warranted. I suppose publishers provide the costly stuff of books: paper, ink machines to print, advertising, however it was interesting to learn that of Twain's most recognize
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If I could have been present for one of Mr. Clemon's talks, it would be a great pleasure. After now reading the second installment of his personal dictations that wander over his entire life in a random fashion, I am anxiously awaiting the final installment. It is not difficult to see why he did no want this material published for 100 years. He pulls no punches about his opinions of the contemporaries of his life. It should be a very good way of learning more about a man who wrote such American
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(This review appeared in the Carbondale Nightlife, September 18-24, 2014, p. 18.)
Mark Twain, Autobiography of Mark Twain, vols.1 & 2, eds Harriet Elinor Smith, et al (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2010, 2013), 736 and 733 pp. Hardcover, $45.00 each.
Mark Twain set down his pen for good in 1905, but his autobiography was composed mainly afterwards. From the fall of 1906 through the end of 1907 he dictated almost daily to an able stenographer and in the presence of his official biog ...more
Mark Twain, Autobiography of Mark Twain, vols.1 & 2, eds Harriet Elinor Smith, et al (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2010, 2013), 736 and 733 pp. Hardcover, $45.00 each.
Mark Twain set down his pen for good in 1905, but his autobiography was composed mainly afterwards. From the fall of 1906 through the end of 1907 he dictated almost daily to an able stenographer and in the presence of his official biog ...more
This book is the second volume of the authoritative edition of the autobiography of Mark Twain. I read the first volume two and a half years ago. This volume follows in the same path of the first volume and is full of various stories, humor, social satire, and commentary. There is much enjoyable here and the book is most interesting as a commentary on American and world affairs in the decade before WWI. This volume has the limitations of the first volume. It is a collection of episodes and comme
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Oct 02, 2015
Michael
added it
Not as revealing of this opinion of various 19th Century individuals as Volume One but more revealing of Samuel Clemons own thoughts and feelings. His thoughts about his three daughters were particularly touching, especially Jean and Susy who did not survive him. He was very forthcoming about his failures and weaknesses, not every autobiography is so candid. Highly recommended by me, though a warning it is very long and there are some tedious parts. All Mark Twain fans should read this.
Having read volume 1, I found this equally or more interesting. This is different than reading a normal autobiography because it is quite fragmented with a lot of repetition going along with the footnotes. We find that Mark Twain, or Samuel Clemens, decided that he preferred dressing all in white, despite the season of the year. That is the way that we picture him. He certainly did a lot of traveling, and lived a number of different places. There was tragedy in his family life, too
Six Months. That's how long it took me to read my way through both Volume I and II. I had to take a break from it a couple of times to read a few other books. But this was my fall-to book. It's a continuation of the first one - with just as much fact checking references as the first. I'm a fan of biographies and as such I was up to the challenge. But now I can point proudly to the shelf and say "I read those."
The raw nature of Mark Twain's dictation really comes through in this second volume, more so I think than in the first volume. It's like reading an audio scrapbook from the guy down the street who happens to be a comedy superstar, you never know what you'll find on the next page. Some really great rants too, usually introduced by "This must not be published until I'm dead 100 years." Which is as good a metric as any. Will Goodreads be around in 100 years? Mark Twain will be. Anybody who needs to
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Twain's original autobiography, published in 1924 after his death (not the hundred year version published recently). Twain dictated this from his bed; it's a non-chronological mish-mash of funny anecdotes, historical events, philosophy, family reminiscences, etc., all done in Twain's inimitable style. Self-centered, of course, but gracious and readable. Most interesting to me was the recounting of Twain's foolproof method for how the unemployed can always find work. Amazing that this hasn't cau
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This book is every bit as lovely as the first one. You can see why he wanted it held until after everyone at the time would be long gone. He comes out with real opinions which would not have been popular at the time, nor jibed with his public persona, carefully honed and sculpted over the years and providing a good deal of his income via public speaking. That he lived his live with appreciation and humor is evident in every page. History buffs will relish his very human takes on some historical
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TR everything to be and not, Charles Webster assfull and debt, gorgeous forgiving, as a mirror, generosity spirit, Helen Keller met at 14 kindness without jealousy, power passing to national government, bring a fact to breakfast, turn republic to monarchy liberties auctioned off slowly sole purpose being purchase of votes physical courage common and moral courage rare and cowardly nature of man to not say disagreeable thing vote buying in pension undermines manhood moral disintegration 1906-07 c
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Apr 27, 2015
Christy Leskovar
added it
I knew that Mark Twain accompanied his brother out here to Nevada when his brother became secretary to the territorial governor, but I didn't know that Twain had to pay the fare on the overland coach for both of them, and that his brother Orion was such a flake, albeit an entertaining-to-read-about flake. I did tire of Twain's rant about the Immaculate Conception, especially since he didn't know what the Immaculate Conception is. He meant the Incarnation, and even then, he was way off base. He s
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This book continues the tradition of the first volume of supplying fascinating information and insight into the life and times of Mark Twain. That should not come as a surprise for an autobiography.
The "not-to-be-published-til-i'm-dead" details are infrequent but quite interesting, as are the additions of other people's (i.e. family) writings and news clippings.
While I do not think Twain's any-topic-goes approach to his autobiography was a poor decision, I sometimes found myself plodding throu ...more
The "not-to-be-published-til-i'm-dead" details are infrequent but quite interesting, as are the additions of other people's (i.e. family) writings and news clippings.
While I do not think Twain's any-topic-goes approach to his autobiography was a poor decision, I sometimes found myself plodding throu ...more
I liked some of the bits.....but since I have watched Jason Robards impersonate Twain in person and on dvd/video....I know I would have enjoyed this more acted out. I did try the audio, but the narrator simply read his script. Twain's words really need a good interpretation.
If you are not a fan of Mark Twain, this collection will turn you into one. If you have a general interest of turn of the 20th century events, this book will delight & enlighten you. This is the second book released by Mark Twain foundation and its research helped understand the era in which it was written. Some of Twain's observations ring true even in our time span.
I found myself imagining I was listening to Mark Twain's voice on this recording. Grover Gardner seemed to provide just the inflections I would have expected from Twain himself! Twain's wit comes through and it was enjoyable and entertaining to listen his life's stories on my way to work.
Whew, took me a while to get through and for the most part, enjoyed. As with any of Twain's big works, there's always some dry parts that I have to just skip because they are just not interesting like they might have been 110 years ago. But for any fan of the man or even fan of history, it's a great read and the moments that shine, do so brightly. Learned some interesting facts about history and if you're going to learn history through personal accounts, no better man to tell the story than Twai
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Volume 2 of the Mark Twain Autobiography was published in 2013. It is an outstanding book full of history, humor, and contrarian wit. The 200+ page explanatory notes are very helpful and give the reader great insight into the forces that influenced Twain.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens
, better known by his pen name
Mark Twain
, was an American author and humorist. He is noted for his novels
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
(1885), called "the Great American Novel", and
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
(1876).
Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, which would later provide the setting for Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer . He apprenticed with a printer. He also work ...more
More about Mark Twain...
Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, which would later provide the setting for Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer . He apprenticed with a printer. He also work ...more
“The shades of difference between other people and me serve to make variety and prevent monotony, but that is all; broadly speaking, we are all alike; and so by studying myself carefully and comparing myself with other people, and noting the divergences, I have been enabled to acquire a knowledge of the human race which I perceive is more accurate and more comprehensive than that which has been acquired and revealed by any other member of our species. As a result, my private and concealed opinion of myself is not of a complimentary sort. It follows that my estimate of the human race is the duplicate of my estimate of myself.”
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“Such incidents usually move me to try to find relief in the building of a maxim. It is a good way, because if you have luck you can get the venom out of yourself and into the maxim; then comfort and a healed spirit follow. Maxims are not easy to make; they do not come in right shape at the first call; they are creatures of evolution, of development; you have to try several plans before you get one that suits you, or even comes fairly near to suiting you.”
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