Critical Insights: Mark Twain

“At a time when Mark Twain’s autobiography has become a New York Times bestseller, Rasmussen (PhD), a Southern California reference book editor compiles 15 essays that offer insights into Twain’s still-relevant longer writings. Following an introduction to the significance of his works and themes and a biographical sketch, critical contexts (including a perspective from The Paris Review) focus on his times, period critics’ reception of his works, his conception of manhood, and Twain and Ambrose Bierce as rival social critics. Specific works/genres read include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Connecticut Yankee, and his travel and science fiction writings. The volume includes a chronology of Twain’s life, list of his works, and a bibliography.”
-Book News