The Autobiography of Mark Twain

The Autobiography comprises a collection of anecdotes and ruminations rather than a conventional autobiography. Twain never compiled the writings and dictations into a publishable form in his lifetime. Despite indications from Twain that he did not want his autobiography to be published for a century, he serialized selected chapters during his lifetime; in addition, various compilations were published during the 20th century. Mark Twain was a figure larger than life: massive in talent, eruptive in temperament, unpredictable in his actions. Speaking with the freedom of a man who knows he will be long gone before his words are read, Twain delivers a 'free and frank' account of his life-from his rambunctious boyhood in Hannibal to the heights of global fame. This is not just a memoir; it is a time capsule of wit, ire, and wisdom from America's greatest humorist.