A Pen Warmed-Up in Hell: Mark Twain in Protest

by Frederick Anderson

Literature, American History, Classics

Genres: Classics, Essays, Politics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, American, History

211 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1889

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twain’s opposition to war and imperialism is placed alongside his dark view of humanity.

[East Bay J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pen Warmed Up In Hell is a collection of what you might call protest writing from the great Mark Twain. Some are letters, some are essays, some are excerpts from other, longer works.

In the introduction, Frederick Anderson seems to be saying that Twain’s protest was confused and contradictory. I see his point. However, I think another point that needs to be made is that the works in this collection were written at a time when Twain’s brand of free speech was looked upon as treason by some. It still is, I suppose. But someone writing these things now might be given their own talk show, perhaps where they could bad mouth government and get into telephone shouting matches with Rush Limbaugh.

I may be biased but I think Twain is the business. I love his sarcastic wit, especially when he turns it on ignorance like U.S. foreign policy or racism or religion. I also love his humility, his acknowledgement that he is of the people who are the problem, just as we all are.

What I don’t love is that everything Twain has to say in these essays and excerpts holds just as true now as it did over a hundred years ago when they were written. Please note; this is most assuredly not Twain’s fault.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been several years since I’ve read anything by Twain, and I’d forgotten what a captivating writer he is. Once you start reading, it’s difficult to not be sucked in to what he is saying. Twain was no wallflower. He had opinions, and he wasn’t afraid to let you know them. Most of his commentary here is centered on U.S. actions in the Philippines during the Spanish-American war, and on religion and the human condition. The most amazing thing to me about this was that you could take what he says about war and put it in the New York Times two years ago and it would be completely relevant. It really illustrates the adage, "the more things change, the more they stay the same".

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

mark twain is more relevant than ever, and this series of essays (which is timely once again) will forever alter your perceptions of him as simply a clever, witty satirist. he had a fire in his belly, mr. twain, and you can see how such a precise mind could become so infuriated with the arrogance and incompetence of his government during his day.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

These later writings of Twain reflect the stance of the naturalistic writers of Twain's later years. Determinism, a malevolent God or fate, the futility of life, the tragedy of existence are expressed in these writings.

[Bridget S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grabbed this at a used bookstore and read because it was a book my dad used to keep on his bookshelf and also named his weekly column after. It took me a while to chew and digest but overall appreciated the satire and opposition of current events (some still happening today..?) in the time period it was written.

[Cary Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of some of Twain's articles and letters. He attacks politicians, government, slavery, religion, treatment of immigrants with scathing wit and sarcasm. Would that we had such a writer today.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be honest, I skimmed portions of this. Some of what he discusses is rooted very much in the time period and is difficult to relate to. Other moments are rooted in his time but are scarily prescient, particularly those pieces dealing with race, religion, and patriotism.

[IRA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool Read.
Topics are Timely and Current.
Kinda sad and funny at the same time, but that's how we roll.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A high school friend/love interest gave this to me. Despite my distaste for mixing politics and literature (yes, strange), perhaps due to its affiliation with my "crush" I got completely immersed in Twain's rants & rampages.

It wasn't till later that I figured out just how confused and contradictory Twain's writings can be, but it's just made me even more impressed with him as a writer who develops and grows through his life, pretty much like a normal human.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A relatively brief compilation of bits and pieces culled from (mostly) later writings. Some of the selections are things Clemens didn't want published while he was alive.
The best are The War Prayer, Col. Sherburn and the lynch mob from Huckleberry Finn, and several bits from The Mysterious Stranger's various drafts.
Most of the book, with the above exceptions, is very uneven in quality, and certainly not the author's best work.

[Gregory Conway · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best collections of essays I've ever touched. His essays on human nature outweigh his essays on war by a solid mile, but they were still enjoyable.

One idea raised by Twain: There is no such thing as a good action, only a good intention. Bad intentions have an equal chance of creating a good action as compared to a good intention.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

An angry Mark Twain, is a fascinating Mark Twain. "A Pen Warmed-Up in Hell: Mark Twain in Protest" reveals Twain's views on society and his fellow man. He claws away the veneer of the World and reveals the rotted interior. Twain is a master of words and uses them masterfully to express his anger and sadness for humanity.

[britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and then spent the rest of the night googling "Mark Twain and telepathy" "Mark twain and ESP" - He knew how things were and how things were going to be - he totally saw the big picture - the good and the bad!!!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and relevant even 100 years after his death. His comments on government and our society in general are easy to understand and relate to. I enjoy everything I read by Mark Twain - one of the greatest minds.

[Alicedewonder · Rating 5 out of 5]

JUST LIKE IN HIS THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER TWAIN HAS TAKEN OFF THE GLOVES AN SMACKED HUMANITY RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES. THIS IS WHY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT MARSHALED THE FORCES OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO ELIMINATE TWAIN FROM SCHOOL. IT IS HERE THAT HE EXPOSES PRECISELY WHAT A LIE OUR DEMOCRACY IS!

[kleeklaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

mr clemens apparantly had a time machine. scary awesome book.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Twain is at his best in this book, in my opinion. If nothing else, you should read the back where his version of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is printed. It is hillarious!

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because the man was spot on... and understanding the depth of his popular works is greatly enhanced by knowing that these were thoughts that drove him.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book of Twains shorts, letters and columns.

[Ellie Lowenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic that I turn to when I'm bored. It bears rereading quite well.

[Zeke Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important record of some of Mark Twain's anti-imperialist writings. Very worth while taking a look at.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bury or burn me with this book

[Belle Meade School]

818.4