Ignorance, Confidence, and Filthy Rich Friends: The Business Adventures of Mark Twain, Chronic Speculator and Entrepreneur

by Peter Krass

While the entire world knows Mark Twain as the renowned author of many classic American novels, few people are aware that he was also a highly successful businessman. In fact, more than half of his life was consumed by moneymaking pursuits, which often resulted in writing projects being neglected--but at the same time, these adventures were the inspiration behind many of the characters found in his books.

In Ignorance, Confidence, and Filthy Rich Friends, Peter Krass captures a little-known side of this American icon and details the roller coaster ride of his business ventures in a dramatic, entertaining, and informative narrative style. From Twain's time as the founder of his own publishing house--where he made a small fortune publishing General Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs--to his foray into venture capitalism and investment in numerous start-up firms, to his focus on his own inventions, this engaging book reveals the Mark Twain that few of us the no-nonsense, successful American businessman.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

I like to dabble for “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” as Ralph Waldo Emerson would remind us. Although I’m not sure how far dabbling will get you, I’ve enjoyed working on biographies, business books, newspaper stories, business articles, that all-consuming yet maddeningly elusive arena of fiction, and poetry.

And now my wife and I are Vermont farmers to boot, with a sugar bush that glows in the low winter sun, chickens who lay regularly, a coq who never crows before 7am, honey bees who are sweet as, well, honey, and 2 German shepherds who want more than anything to shepherd the chickens …

Reviews

[Joel Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT IS STRANGE HOW FOOLISH PEOPLE CAN BE AND HOW RUINOUS RISKS THEY CAN TAKE WHEN THEY WANT TO GET RICH IN A HURRY.

Twain had various compartments to his life; writing, inventions, investments, socialising.

Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835.

Mark Twain translates into Mark Two, or a depth of 12 feet, which is safe for navigation.

Twain started in papers but readers wanted facts, not stories, so he struggled.

Twains inability to walk away and cut his losses would prove to be his achilles heel.

Huckleberry Finn took 9 years to write because Twain was distracted by silly inventions etc.

The proper office of a friends is to side with you when you are in the wrong.

Dont for one moment let your sense of our need of money get advantage of your sense of justice and generosity.

People always want a thing that is denied them.

Few of us can stand prosperity. Another mans I mean.

It is much easier to keep out of trouble than it is to get out.

Let your compassions and sympathies always be with he underdog in the fight - but bet on the other side - this is business.

Instinct is way more important than knowledge.

The main who has not experienced being rich cannot imagine the curse of it.

There are 2 times in a mans life when he shouldn't speculate; when he can't afford it and when he can.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography focusing on a less well-known part of Samuel Clemens's life. The anecdotes and excerpts from Twain's writings are fun, funny, informative, educational. Unfortunately, the author's writing style is nothing to get excited about. Inaccurately classified in some sources as a business book.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was prepared for this to be a disappointing book based on some reviews I'd read. But I ended up enjoying it a lot.

Yes, there are some awkward lines early in the book. But I guess the author got into a groove because the second half of the book flowed better.

I find Twain's life fascinating. It was interesting and enlightening to learn more about his business dealings. I had no idea he was such a fervent speculator! He caught the bug early in his life and never could shake it.

Today we remember Twain for the books he wrote. However, he spent more time on speculating and business deals than he did writing books, which is wild to think about. In fact, his classic Huckleberry Finn was long delayed because Twain was so wrapped up in a business deal that wasn't going his way.

If you enjoy Mark Twain's books and maxims, then you'll probably enjoy this book as well. It's a quick, easy read.

[Nancy Chiok · Rating 4 out of 5]

I selected the summary read of this book. Overall, an enjoyable good understanding about Mark Twain and his life.