Getting to be Mark Twain

Mark Twain was not always as we know him today; he began life as a loose gathering of postures, attitudes, and voices in the mind of Samuel Clemens. This title is part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, which commemorates the mission of University of California Press to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. It shows how the Mark Twain of the late 1860s became the Mark Twain of all time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Mark Twain, a cultural icon who is familiar to virtually every American and renowned internationally, has a fascinating journey that began as a loose gathering of postures, attitudes, and voices in the mind of Samuel Clemens. It took some time before he fully embraced the personality that the world now recognizes. This is the story of Mark Twain's coming of age, spanning from 1867 to 1871.

In 1867, Clemens set foot on the steamship Quaker City, marking the beginning of a transformative journey. Almost immediately, he expressed a restlessness to move, indicating the beginning of his transformation. Over the intervening years, Mark Twain was substantially formed as Clemens ventured east, gained fame and fortune with the publication of "Innocents Abroad," courted and married Olivia Langdon, and established himself as a professional writer.

Each of these steps represented a profound change in the former Wild Humorist of the Pacific Slope. As he sifted through the elements in his personality, he began to assume the qualities that we now associate with him. The tale that unfolds here showcases how Mark Twain, from the late 1860s, evolved into the Mark Twain of all time.

This title is part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, which celebrates the University of California Press' mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1991.

Mark Twain's journey is a testament to the power of growth, self-discovery, and the impact of one's environment on shaping one's identity. His legacy continues to inspire and resonate with people worldwide, reminding us of the importance of embracing our unique qualities and striving to become the best versions of ourselves.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520373693