* Contains literary critiques, detailed biographies, and historical context
OVERVIEW:
In addition to writing articles and books, Mark Twain delighted audiences with his public lectures about the far-flung locations he visited on his travels. Twain travelled around the world and he dazzled audiences far and wide with lectures filled with the same humor and spirit f
ANNOTATED:
* Contains literary critiques, detailed biographies, and historical context
OVERVIEW:
In addition to writing articles and books, Mark Twain delighted audiences with his public lectures about the far-flung locations he visited on his travels. Twain travelled around the world and he dazzled audiences far and wide with lectures filled with the same humor and spirit found in his writings. People were eager to learn about his trips to then-exotic places, such as the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii), Egypt and the Holy Land. Twain often used the fees he earned with his lectures to pay for additional adventures. His well-attended performances also served to bring attention to his published work. At a time when the public lecture was a very popular form of entertainment, and audiences' expectations ran high, Twain never failed to amuse. He was not only a writer’s writer, but also an actor’s actor ... who worked with the best written material any actor could wish for.
This collection brings together, for the very first time in a single volume, the complete collected speeches of Mark Twain along with his famous ‘burlesque’ autobiography.
The enduring freshness and relevance of Mark Twain’s works serves as a true testament to a remarkable spirit which “still young ... continues to cheer and comfort a tired world” even to this day.
FROM THE PREFACE:
Mark Twain's appearance on the stage of the world was a succession of dramatic moments. He was always exactly in the setting. Whatever he did, or whatever came to him, was timed for the instant of greatest effect. At the end he was more widely observed and loved and honored than ever before, and at the right moment and in the right manner he died.
He travelled always such a broad and brilliant highway, with plumes flying and crowds following after. In the long analysis of the ages it is the truth that counts, and he never approximated, never compromised, but pronounced those absolute verities to which every human being of whatever rank must instantly respond.
His understanding of subjective human nature—the vast, unwritten life within—was simply amazing. Such knowledge he acquired at the fountainhead—that is, from himself. He recognized in himself an extreme example of the human being with all the attributes of power and of weakness, and he made his exposition complete.
CONTENTS:
This new signature edition collection brings together for the very first time in a single volume the speeches of Mark Twain and his ‘burlesque’ autobiography, which was first published 1871. It contains an original preface as well as an in-depth and illuminating introduction by William Dean Howells of the American Academy of Arts and Letter. This illustrated volume also contains rare illustrations and photographs.
Partial List:
INTRODUCTION
PREFACE
THE STORY OF A SPEECH
PLYMOUTH ROCK AND THE PILGRIMS
COMPLIMENTS AND DEGREES
BOOKS, AUTHORS, AND HATS
DEDICATION SPEECH
DIE SCHRECKEN DER DEUTSCHEN SPRACHE
GERMAN FOR THE HUNGARIANS
A NEW GERMAN WORD
UNCONSCIOUS PLAGIARISM
THE WEATHER
THE BABIES
OUR CHILDREN AND GREAT DISCOVERIES
EDUCATING THEATRE-GOERS
THE EDUCATIONAL THEATRE
POETS AS POLICEMEN
PUDD'NHEAD WILSON DRAMATIZED
DALY THEATRE
THE DRESS OF CIVILIZED WOMAN
DRESS REFORM AND COPYRIGHT
COLLEGE GIRLS
GIRLS
THE LADIES
WOMAN'S PRESS CLUB
VOTES FOR WOMEN
WOMAN-AN OPINION
ADVICE TO GIRLS
TAXES AND MORALS
TAMMANY AND CROKER
MUNICIPAL CORRUPTION
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
CHINA AND THE PHILIPPINES
THEORETICAL MORALS
LAYMAN'S SERMON
UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT SOCIETY
PUBLIC EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP
COURAGE
THE DINNER TO MR. CHOATE
ON STANLEY AND LIVINGSTONE
HENRY M. STANLEY
DINNER TO MR. JEROME
HENRY IRVING
DINNER TO HAMILTON W. MABIE
INTRODUCING NYE AND RILEY
DINNER TO WHITELAW REID
ROGERS AND RAILROADS
THE OLD-FASHIONED PRINTER
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS
READING-ROOM OPENING
LITERATURE
DISAPPEARANCE OF LITERATURE
THE NEW YORK PRESS CLUB DINNER
THE ALPHABET AND SIMPLIFIED SPELLING
SPELLING AND PICTURES
BOOKS AND BURGLARS
AUTHORS' CLUB
BOOKSELLERS
"MARK TWAIN'S FIRST APPEARANCE"
MORALS AND MEMORY
QUEEN VICTORIA
JOAN OF ARC
ACCIDENT INSURANCE—ETC.
OSTEOPATHY
WATER-SUPPLY
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
CATS AND CANDY
OBITUARY POETRY
CIGARS AND TOBACCO
BILLIARDS
THE UNION RIGHT OR WRONG
AN IDEAL FRENCH ADDRESS
STATISTICS
GALVESTON ORPHAN BAZAAR
SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE
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
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 worked as a typesetter and contributed articles to his older brother Orion's newspaper. After toiling as a printer in various cities, he became a master riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, before heading west to join Orion. He was a failure at gold mining, so he next turned to journalism. While a reporter, he wrote a humorous story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," which proved to be very popular and brought him nationwide attention. His travelogues were also well-received. Twain had found his calling.
He achieved great success as a writer and public speaker. His wit and satire earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty.
However, he lacked financial acumen. Though he made a great deal of money from his writings and lectures, he squandered it on various ventures, in particular the Paige Compositor, and was forced to declare bankruptcy. With the help of Henry Huttleston Rogers, however, he eventually overcame his financial troubles. Twain worked hard to ensure that all of his creditors were paid in full, even though his bankruptcy had relieved him of the legal responsibility.
Born during a visit by Halley's Comet, he died on its return. He was lauded as the "greatest American humorist of his age", and
William Faulkner
called Twain "the father of American literature".