One day in late 1906, seventy-one-year-old Mark Twain attended a meeting on copyright law at the Library of Congress. The arrival of the famous aut...
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reviews
Dec 07, 2011
Pparskey
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Mar 29, 2010
LeeAnn
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The book focuses on the last 4 years in the life of Mark Twain, aka Samuel Clemens where he recovers from the death of his wife, puts on the white suit that we know him by, enters a second (or maybe third) childhood, and puts some serious thought into his legacy. Despite tragedy, scandal, and the usual complains of old age (ill health, death of old friends), he is a completely unrepentant irrepressible irascible old man writing things he fully intended to be published after his death and beyond
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Sep 27, 2010
Tina
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This was my first glimpse into Mark Twain and his life. I have only read Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, but these characters are so much a part of our American History, that they feel real. Mark Twain is responsible for that. I enjoyed reading about his life as a Father, Friend and Writer. This book makes me want to read more about him. The only information I ever knew about Mr. Twain other than his famous writings, was that he lived in the area of the US I live in now. I love his humor and lea
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Jul 26, 2010
Marilyn
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An engaging, readable account of Twain's last three years, filled with anecdotes and memorable Twain quotes. Challenges the common view that he became embittered and cynical and lost his sense of humor. Bitterness and cynicism were a part of his response to tremendous personal losses, but those years also seem to have been a remarkable time of resiliency, hospitality, and insight. Well worth reading for anyone with interest in Twain, or in the period.
Apr 07, 2010
Neil
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Shelden accomplishes his goal of bringing a new perspective to Twain's final years, challenging the established view that cast the author as a passive victim of one misfortune after another. Instead, the Twain of Man in White is a man taking vigorous action in the face of his personal and professional anxieties and playing a central role in the shaping of his own legend. This book strikes a perfect balance of research and readability.
Dec 23, 2010
Paul
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Although the Autobiography is a best seller now, this book about the most famous American author of the period should also be read. It covers the last 3-1/2 years of Twain's life, from 1907 until his death in 1910. His relationship with his two daughters, close friendship with multimillionaire H. H. Rogers, moving from NYC to Connecticut and a new house, and travels to the Bahamas are all well told. There is an appreciation of this 70 year old and his enthusiastic way of living his final years,
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Nov 12, 2010
Cynthia Karl
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This is a toss up between 3 and 4 stars - it is an enjoyable read and one gets a good picture of Twain the public man and Twain the private man. His incredible popularity with the public both in the US and England is offset by the family difficulties and tragedies that he had to deal with in his final years. He is someone that I would have loved to meet - emotional, incorrigible, kind, irascible and altogether interesting.
Jul 07, 2011
Anne
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I'm listening to the audio book. Shelden begins with the first time Mark Twain made an appearance in what would be his signature white suit. Twain was 71 at the time. The prologue is slow going but the rest of the book is deftly written, thoroughly researched and so far, objective, if a tad on the naive side when it comes to Twain's assistant Isabel Lyons.
May 17, 2010
Theresa
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This biography covers merely the last 3 years of Mark Twain's life and all I could think was, wow, hope I have that much to write about 3 years of MY life! Even while he wasn't writing Mark Twain certainly lived his life. I really enjoyed this book and I love reading how eccentric he could be. Highly enjoyable.
Apr 07, 2010
Jess
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How I wish this book had been published a year and a half before so that I may have used it for my graduate thesis!
Michael Shelden manages to bring together letters and fiction to compile a fascinating account of Mark Twain's last years. Where most biographies tend to displace their subject's sense of humor, Shelden captures it in a way that makes Twain feel as though he is still alive. I can't recall another biography I've read on Mark Twain that was so thoroughly engaging, straight More...
Michael Shelden manages to bring together letters and fiction to compile a fascinating account of Mark Twain's last years. Where most biographies tend to displace their subject's sense of humor, Shelden captures it in a way that makes Twain feel as though he is still alive. I can't recall another biography I've read on Mark Twain that was so thoroughly engaging, straight More...
Jul 25, 2010
John
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This bio covers the last several years of Twain's career and life. It starts with the first time he wore the white suit. An easy read, this describes Twain's friendship with Henry Rogers and his many trips to Bermuda. I read all I can about Twain and am glad I found this bio.
Jan 02, 2011
Gadruggist
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A lovely lovely book. A biography of Twain's last 4 years with all kinds of surprising stories, amusing stories, poignant stories. Fantastic! The book is a true friend. Usually only good fiction is this satisfying.
Aug 01, 2010
J.W.
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Wonderful, immersive, and genuinely entertaining. A strong portait of Mark Twain and his inner circle. My entire review can be found at my blog here: http://avomnia.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/...
Aug 19, 2011
began reading this last week and am enjoying learning about this great man during his last 5 to 10 years of life after a fantastic life of fame.
Mar 21, 2011
King Dinösaur
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Thorough and comprehensive account of the last years of the life of the great Mark Twain. Dispelling the myth that after his wife, Livey's, death, Twain moped about under a dark cloud until his own death, Shelden instead presents us with a man of indomitable spirit who lived large and continued to write and crack wise until his departure with Halley's Comet, which had ushered him into this world.
Jul 12, 2010
Geenyas
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Very enjoyable and readable. Offers excellent insights into Twain's relations with his daughters and others in his final years.
Dec 29, 2011
Michelle
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So very interesting. See where Thomas Wolfe got his idea of only wearing white. Now off to read his autobiography
Dec 10, 2010
David
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So happy that I read this book before starting on Mark Twain's newly released Autobiography. A really good read.
Oct 25, 2010
Ted
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Here is a fun read about the daily life of a great writer in his final years. He's not writing much in this book, but we meet his friends, gain a sense of who this guy is. The author did a bang up job. A joy to read. It is too bad Twain had such tragedy in his life, children dying, but his carry-on attitude shows through.
Nov 02, 2010
Judi
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Mark Twain has always been one of my favorite authors. I have read a number of his books and short stories. I have also had the pleasure to see the Hal Holbrook one man show impersonating Mark Twain. I love his wry wit. This book provides deeper insight into his later years and his personal relationships. A must read for Mark Twain fans.
Jun 16, 2011
David
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Page 1 quote by Mark Twain "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society."
Nov 27, 2010
Fabulous book. Focuses on the final three years of Twain's life and shows that he had a glorious time of it.
Mar 11, 2010
Jim
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This was well done. Never read that much about Twain before. I was entertained throughout.
Feb 11, 2012
Feb 10, 2012
