Mark Twain

by John Seelye

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670458309
• ISBN13: 9780670458301
• Release Date: November 1977
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 177 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic pictures, poor authoring

Although the pictures are absolutely wonderful (and the reason I bought the book) the author seems to have it out for Mark Twain. Approximately the middle of the book, Mr. Seelye speculates about Mark Twain's "Angelfish" (the young girls he chose to surround himself with in his extreme age as his "adopted grandchildren"). He even goes so far as to dub him "The Wizard of Ooze" and refers to him as "the terrible-tempered old man" among other things.I recommend the book purely for the photographs. The writing strikes me as history revisionism at work. The author's speculations make this unsuitable for younsters. It's unfortunate.

Wonderful photographic collection and commentary

This delightful book about one of America's favorite authors, and one of the best humorists who ever lived, is entertaining from beginning to end. The photographs and illustrations are wonderful. There are pictures on every page, and even a flipbook in the upper righthand corner from pages 15-85 of Samuel Clemens "shuffling walk" captured on film.In all honesty, I did not buy this book for the commentary, but it has proven fairly interesting in its own right. The author covers large sections of Mark Twain's life, as well as some of his attitudes and opinions. Does Mr. Seelye have a point in saying that part of Mark Twain's appeal to the public both then and now have anything to do with the many photographs of him? Does it really create more of a connection to the author when reading his books? You decide.