Perhaps better known by his pen name -- Mark Twain -- he was the prolific American author and humorist noted mostly for his novels "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1884) (the very epitome of "The Great American Novel") and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876).
A friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty, he was also a renowned humorist and beheld a keen wit in his scores of essays. His incisive satire earned praise from countless critics and peers. Upon his death a century ago, he was lauded as the greatest American humorist of his age and fellow author William Faulkner called Twain "The father of American literature."
A multitude of free Twain goodies, multi-media and links are available after the jump.
Hal Holbrook stars as Twain in his one-man show. The words in this scene come mostly from Twain's 1903 essay, "The Damned Human Race" and other essays, such as "Papers of the Adam Family".
Mark Twain: Power Blogger??If there has ever been anyone who had something brilliant to say about almost everything, it would be Mark Twain. Twain is known for more notable quotes about more topics than you can shake a stick at. And there’s no doubt that he would make an excellent blogger. Actually, he’d likely be a blogging guru. Click HERE.Environmental Graffiti reporter Thomas Davie investigates one of the most awesome 19th Century global pranks, by one of America's greatest literary geniuses - Twain. Click HERE
Biography Channel's episode of "Mark Twain." Click HERE
Huckleberry Finn (audio book)
Huckleberry Finn (audio book) via iTunes
Huckleberry Finn e-text
Zip file of the entire Huckleberry Finn audiobook
Tom Sawyer audiobook
Tom Sawyer e-text
Full texts of several Mark Twain books (Google books)
One of the great writers in American history. His words had tremendous effects on me from pre-teen to present. The purposes of humor, the avenues for humor, reflection on motives, humility, shaping characters... even my tendency to make characters talk forever and go around from event to event aimlessly is his fault. Thanks, Mark.
ReplyDeletethanks for all the links, anthony.
ReplyDeleteTwain is one of my favorites. a few years back i was able to visit his house in Hartford. Also, whenever i pass 10th street in the village, i make sure to stop by the building that he lived in.
I was just thinking about Mark Twain yesterday. Amazing storyteller and observer of life. It's time to read his works again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the links. Loads of info here. ;-)