What do you think?
Rate this book
Mark Twain: A Life from Beginning to End
Mark Twain * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. Mark Twain is best known as the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. His authentic voice, humor, and use of vernacular language undeniably changed American literature—some have called him the Father of American Literature. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Mississippi Steamboat Pilot ✓ Westward to Fame and Fortune ✓ Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn ✓ Debts and Bankruptcy ✓ Family Travels and Deaths ✓ The Last Years And much more! Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Clemens, a man whose adventures carried him from his boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri—the memories of which inspired Tom Sawyer—to the American West, and eventually around the world. While his story is a fascinating one in itself, containing happiness and success as well as sorrow and bitterness, it also places the writings of Mark Twain in context, offering greater understanding of works that are still impacting the world today. Series Biographies of American Authors Book 2
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2018
189 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Hourly History
691 books856 followersAt Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.
Receive our new eBooks for free every Friday.
Sign up at: www.hourlyhistory.com/free
Receive our new eBooks for free every Friday.
Sign up at: www.hourlyhistory.com/free
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 16, 2020
Hourly history again does a great job in providing a concise biography. And I would sum up as the conclusion does in the last paragraph of the book.
"Samuel Clemens was a multi-faceted character, not an easy man to understand. Mark Twain, as an author who is both Clemens and an identity separate from Clemens, only adds to this. From this complex identity as both Clemens and Twain, from an adventurous and tragic life, and from observations of the world recorded with panache, humor, sometimes bitterness, and an ear for the distinctiveness of American English, came a complex and varied body of work which continues to be relevant to society today."
"Samuel Clemens was a multi-faceted character, not an easy man to understand. Mark Twain, as an author who is both Clemens and an identity separate from Clemens, only adds to this. From this complex identity as both Clemens and Twain, from an adventurous and tragic life, and from observations of the world recorded with panache, humor, sometimes bitterness, and an ear for the distinctiveness of American English, came a complex and varied body of work which continues to be relevant to society today."
February 25, 2021
Hourly History does justice to this stalwart of American English literature. The book provides an interesting insight into the personal life of Mark Twain which was quite tumultuous by all standards. How Mark Twain emerged from his penurious childhood to become rich and famous gets narrated pretty lucidly.
November 25, 2022
writing and suffering
There were times of joy and peace in Twain’s life, as there are in most of our lives. But overall it seems to be something of a miracle he could manage to keep writing and publishing when there was so much illness, death, financial ruin, broken relationships and tragedy throughout his years on earth.
These short biographies are well-researched and well-written and provide a good deal of helpful information and insight.
There were times of joy and peace in Twain’s life, as there are in most of our lives. But overall it seems to be something of a miracle he could manage to keep writing and publishing when there was so much illness, death, financial ruin, broken relationships and tragedy throughout his years on earth.
These short biographies are well-researched and well-written and provide a good deal of helpful information and insight.
September 5, 2021
Well-written and planned writing. Clemons/Twain's life was quite tragic, and while he could write, I'm left wondering was his writings products of his environment.
Worth the time and energy to explore his life.
Worth the time and energy to explore his life.
February 6, 2020
Helpful
Enjoyed reading of the life and travels of this gifted man. Yet, it saddened me to read of his many looses. The writer made Samuel Clemons appear colorful and human.
Enjoyed reading of the life and travels of this gifted man. Yet, it saddened me to read of his many looses. The writer made Samuel Clemons appear colorful and human.
December 9, 2022
Well written and compiled.
***
"“I came in with Halley’s comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: ‘Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.’”
"—Mark Twain, 1909"
Didn't that comet appear in 1812? Or was that another?
Latter, apparently, and the two have very different orbital periods - former a short one, so much so its possible for people to see it twice during a lifetime, although not for everyone; latter - quoted from Wikipedia -
"Before perihelion passage on September 12, 1811, the comet had an orbital period of 2742 years. After perihelion passage the comet has a period of 2974 years."
***
"The tour next took the family to the continent of Africa, where Twain found himself disgusted by the self-righteousness he saw in the imperialism of his day. What he had observed, not only in Africa but also India and Australia, reminded him of the slavery he had seen during his childhood. He wrote bitterly of his own race’s treatment of other races, commenting, “there are many humorous things in the world; among them the white man’s notion that he is less savage than the other savages.”
***
"Twain became more moody and bitter than ever before, writing of his deep resentment toward God in his essay, “In My Bitterness.” He buried himself in writing, completing Following the Equator and revising it with Livy’s editorial assistance, as always. The silence of the family, as the winter passed, gave rise to a rumor that Mark Twain had died. When a reporter appeared on his doorstep with instructions on how many words to write if he really was dead, Twain responded with one of his famous retorts: “You don’t need as much as that. Just say the report of my death has been greatly exaggerated.”
***
"Mark Twain now took the opportunity not just to reveal his mind through his fiction, but to speak out openly on a wide variety of topics. He had much to say about politics and was an especially outspoken critic of imperialism. As he now wrote passionately on sometimes-unpopular topics such as women’s right to vote and the treatment of black Americans, he expected to lose popular support. Yet most of the public continued to revere him; Livy commented that the ratio of positive mail to negative was still “ten to one I should think.” Twain declared that he would continue speaking his mind as long as Livy would let him.
***
"In the depths of despair, Twain wrote in a letter the summer after Livy’s death, “There is only empty space, and in it a lost and homeless and wandering and companionless and indestructible Thought. And . . . I am that thought.”
***
" ... On the evening of April 21, 1910, Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, passed away in his sleep. As Clara would later write, “While the sun dimmed, the great soul of Mark Twain melted into that speechless state of majesty and calm he had so fervently yearned for.”"
***
"“The average American loves his family,” wrote Thomas Edison. “If he has any love left over for some other person, he generally selects Mark Twain.” Mark Twain, the beloved author who gave voice to the unique place that was and is the United States, was also Samuel Clemens. Clemens lived an adventurous, wandering life, beginning with his travels to the West as a young man and ending with his retreat to Bermuda in his final months. His boyhood in Hannibal, Missouri and time piloting a steamboat on the Mississippi would later reappear in some of Twain’s most famous works,The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
"Though Twain became known first as a humorist, Clemens’ life was marked by tragedy. Clemens spent much of his life seeking prosperity only to see it disappear and to have to work his way out from under massive debts. He loved his wife, Livy—a woman whom society declared inaccessible to him, but whom he convinced to marry him anyway—and his three daughters, yet also saw them leave his life, as Livy and two of their daughters died before Clemens. Despite these crushing blows, he carried on writing—in fact, his writing and his increasingly dark sense of humor were what helped him keep going through grief and depression."
***
"Ernest Hemingway once said, “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.” Mark Twain’s legacy certainly is a significant one. His keen observations of human nature, his sense of humor, and his prose style and use of vernacular language all helped to give unique direction to American literature, which had previously been considered an inferior imitation of British literature.
"Though he is often remembered for his humor, Twain’s serious side—in particular his unabashed willingness to engage with questions about slavery and race—is one of the most lastingly important aspects of his writing. His work pioneered the discussion of these issues that are still central to American literature. Even as he became bitter about life and disillusioned the nature of humanity, Samuel Clemens, through Mark Twain, wrote and worked for social good.
"Samuel Clemens was a multi-faceted character, not an easy man to understand. Mark Twain, as an author who is both Clemens and an identity separate from Clemens, only adds to this. From this complex identity as both Clemens and Twain, from an adventurous and tragic life, and from observations of the world recorded with panache, humor, sometimes bitterness, and an ear for the distinctiveness of American English, came a complex and varied body of work which continues to be relevant to society today."
****
***
"“I came in with Halley’s comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s comet. The Almighty has said, no doubt: ‘Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.’”
"—Mark Twain, 1909"
Didn't that comet appear in 1812? Or was that another?
Latter, apparently, and the two have very different orbital periods - former a short one, so much so its possible for people to see it twice during a lifetime, although not for everyone; latter - quoted from Wikipedia -
"Before perihelion passage on September 12, 1811, the comet had an orbital period of 2742 years. After perihelion passage the comet has a period of 2974 years."
***
"The tour next took the family to the continent of Africa, where Twain found himself disgusted by the self-righteousness he saw in the imperialism of his day. What he had observed, not only in Africa but also India and Australia, reminded him of the slavery he had seen during his childhood. He wrote bitterly of his own race’s treatment of other races, commenting, “there are many humorous things in the world; among them the white man’s notion that he is less savage than the other savages.”
***
"Twain became more moody and bitter than ever before, writing of his deep resentment toward God in his essay, “In My Bitterness.” He buried himself in writing, completing Following the Equator and revising it with Livy’s editorial assistance, as always. The silence of the family, as the winter passed, gave rise to a rumor that Mark Twain had died. When a reporter appeared on his doorstep with instructions on how many words to write if he really was dead, Twain responded with one of his famous retorts: “You don’t need as much as that. Just say the report of my death has been greatly exaggerated.”
***
"Mark Twain now took the opportunity not just to reveal his mind through his fiction, but to speak out openly on a wide variety of topics. He had much to say about politics and was an especially outspoken critic of imperialism. As he now wrote passionately on sometimes-unpopular topics such as women’s right to vote and the treatment of black Americans, he expected to lose popular support. Yet most of the public continued to revere him; Livy commented that the ratio of positive mail to negative was still “ten to one I should think.” Twain declared that he would continue speaking his mind as long as Livy would let him.
***
"In the depths of despair, Twain wrote in a letter the summer after Livy’s death, “There is only empty space, and in it a lost and homeless and wandering and companionless and indestructible Thought. And . . . I am that thought.”
***
" ... On the evening of April 21, 1910, Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, passed away in his sleep. As Clara would later write, “While the sun dimmed, the great soul of Mark Twain melted into that speechless state of majesty and calm he had so fervently yearned for.”"
***
"“The average American loves his family,” wrote Thomas Edison. “If he has any love left over for some other person, he generally selects Mark Twain.” Mark Twain, the beloved author who gave voice to the unique place that was and is the United States, was also Samuel Clemens. Clemens lived an adventurous, wandering life, beginning with his travels to the West as a young man and ending with his retreat to Bermuda in his final months. His boyhood in Hannibal, Missouri and time piloting a steamboat on the Mississippi would later reappear in some of Twain’s most famous works,The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
"Though Twain became known first as a humorist, Clemens’ life was marked by tragedy. Clemens spent much of his life seeking prosperity only to see it disappear and to have to work his way out from under massive debts. He loved his wife, Livy—a woman whom society declared inaccessible to him, but whom he convinced to marry him anyway—and his three daughters, yet also saw them leave his life, as Livy and two of their daughters died before Clemens. Despite these crushing blows, he carried on writing—in fact, his writing and his increasingly dark sense of humor were what helped him keep going through grief and depression."
***
"Ernest Hemingway once said, “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.” Mark Twain’s legacy certainly is a significant one. His keen observations of human nature, his sense of humor, and his prose style and use of vernacular language all helped to give unique direction to American literature, which had previously been considered an inferior imitation of British literature.
"Though he is often remembered for his humor, Twain’s serious side—in particular his unabashed willingness to engage with questions about slavery and race—is one of the most lastingly important aspects of his writing. His work pioneered the discussion of these issues that are still central to American literature. Even as he became bitter about life and disillusioned the nature of humanity, Samuel Clemens, through Mark Twain, wrote and worked for social good.
"Samuel Clemens was a multi-faceted character, not an easy man to understand. Mark Twain, as an author who is both Clemens and an identity separate from Clemens, only adds to this. From this complex identity as both Clemens and Twain, from an adventurous and tragic life, and from observations of the world recorded with panache, humor, sometimes bitterness, and an ear for the distinctiveness of American English, came a complex and varied body of work which continues to be relevant to society today."
****
November 3, 2019
One thing that surprised me was Twain's wanderlust. He simply did not seem to have the capacity to stay in one place for long. He traveled the world when it could not have been convenient or easy to do. It is amazing to see how tragedy followed him and his family.
Anyone wondering how Twain came upon his name, well it is an interesting story. Twain decided to earn a pilot's certificate so he could earn more money by piloting steamboats down the Mississippi River. Leadsmen called out to the pilot various words related to the depths of the river. 'Mark Twain' is steamboat speak and means 'a safe depth.' Actually, readers should be happy Samuel Clemens chose that name because the two pseudonyms he used before deciding on the Mark Twain name were: W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab and Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass. Mark Twain was definitely an improvement.
Twain might have happily spent the rest of his life as a steamboat captain but for the American Civil War. It ended commercial traffic on the Mississippi for the duration of the war. He did earn his pilot's certificate in 1859.
After reading this short version of Mark Twain's life, I've decided to go back and read something of his. I've never been fond of Mark Twain's writing. Maybe I've missed out on something.
Anyone wondering how Twain came upon his name, well it is an interesting story. Twain decided to earn a pilot's certificate so he could earn more money by piloting steamboats down the Mississippi River. Leadsmen called out to the pilot various words related to the depths of the river. 'Mark Twain' is steamboat speak and means 'a safe depth.' Actually, readers should be happy Samuel Clemens chose that name because the two pseudonyms he used before deciding on the Mark Twain name were: W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab and Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass. Mark Twain was definitely an improvement.
Twain might have happily spent the rest of his life as a steamboat captain but for the American Civil War. It ended commercial traffic on the Mississippi for the duration of the war. He did earn his pilot's certificate in 1859.
After reading this short version of Mark Twain's life, I've decided to go back and read something of his. I've never been fond of Mark Twain's writing. Maybe I've missed out on something.
December 11, 2020
The book notes he was married and had three daughters. He was born in 1835 and his uncle had 30 slaves The book has something other books don't and that is the equivalent price for slaves, noting cost in the past and in today's dollars.
Around 1850 slaves cost some $1200 and in today's money t at would be some $34,000. This shows just how expensive slaves were and it pretty much proves that you had to have a lot of money to have more than just a couple of slaves. The rich got richer off the labor of people that were not considered human and were treated as such.
Samuel Clemens, his real name, was apprenticed as a printer. The book goes into his various moves, his world travels, various personal problems that he had, the death of two of his daughters and, of course, his various written works. Good, concise history of the man and his works.
Around 1850 slaves cost some $1200 and in today's money t at would be some $34,000. This shows just how expensive slaves were and it pretty much proves that you had to have a lot of money to have more than just a couple of slaves. The rich got richer off the labor of people that were not considered human and were treated as such.
Samuel Clemens, his real name, was apprenticed as a printer. The book goes into his various moves, his world travels, various personal problems that he had, the death of two of his daughters and, of course, his various written works. Good, concise history of the man and his works.
August 26, 2021
Frog and a Prince
“Ernest Hemingway once said, ‘All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.’” Mark Twain: A Biography from Beginning to End allows the reader to discover or rediscover the behind scenes story of one of the premier humor, fiction, and nonfiction writers in American letters. It takes an objective view of Twain’s life exposing all of his warts and foibles as well as his genius. The author’s struggles with life leaves this reader in amazement of his accomplishments. This biography brings into focus the tragedy that mocked Twain’s life. Twain’s abbreviated biography is well worth reading. The biography gives a snapshot of the portrait of a revered writer.
“Ernest Hemingway once said, ‘All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.’” Mark Twain: A Biography from Beginning to End allows the reader to discover or rediscover the behind scenes story of one of the premier humor, fiction, and nonfiction writers in American letters. It takes an objective view of Twain’s life exposing all of his warts and foibles as well as his genius. The author’s struggles with life leaves this reader in amazement of his accomplishments. This biography brings into focus the tragedy that mocked Twain’s life. Twain’s abbreviated biography is well worth reading. The biography gives a snapshot of the portrait of a revered writer.
July 21, 2020
Yes, A multi-faceted Man....
Samual Clemens, alias Mark Twain, is a man to be honored and expected. From his humble beginnings, to his celebrity, through his travels, his sadnesses, and his joys, he became a man of the World.
Through some forty-eight works of fiction, including novels, short-stories, diaries, and his most famous Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn books, Mark Twain enlightened all of us with his humor, his angst, his insight, and his honesty.
His books continue to be read yet today, as a matter of fact, I just finished re-reading “The Prince and the Pauper” for the third or fourth time.
Enjoy this brief bio of Samual Clemens, and man for the ages!
Samual Clemens, alias Mark Twain, is a man to be honored and expected. From his humble beginnings, to his celebrity, through his travels, his sadnesses, and his joys, he became a man of the World.
Through some forty-eight works of fiction, including novels, short-stories, diaries, and his most famous Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn books, Mark Twain enlightened all of us with his humor, his angst, his insight, and his honesty.
His books continue to be read yet today, as a matter of fact, I just finished re-reading “The Prince and the Pauper” for the third or fourth time.
Enjoy this brief bio of Samual Clemens, and man for the ages!
June 16, 2019
This short biography is worth the read. I knew very little about Samuel Clemen's life and after reading this book I feel I now know the basics. He was quite the adventurer and he traveled a lot. He was known as a humorist but he had a serious side, hating imperialism and speaking out against slavery. He was loving toward his siblings, his wife, his children. He accumulated debts in his life and he was good and honorable in that he worked hard until he paid off every last debt. "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn" have lived on, long after Samuel Clemen's death, an enduring legacy.
May 20, 2020
Hannibal
Learned much about this fellow Missourian from this author - much more than public education texts revealed about the complexities, especially the ‘downs’ of Mr Clemons life. Had not realized the extent of his and his family’s travels - esp their many years spent living in Europe.
Thus book has revived my appreciation of Mark Twain and sparked a desire (at age 75) to go back and read his many writings.
Learned much about this fellow Missourian from this author - much more than public education texts revealed about the complexities, especially the ‘downs’ of Mr Clemons life. Had not realized the extent of his and his family’s travels - esp their many years spent living in Europe.
Thus book has revived my appreciation of Mark Twain and sparked a desire (at age 75) to go back and read his many writings.
July 23, 2020
Samuel Clemons wrote by the name of Mark Twain. I didn’t know much about him and this short 48-page bio covered a lot. He loved to travel and humor infused his writing. He had many tragedies in his life but he endured and, when he fell deeply into debt, worked hard to pay it all back. He was devoted to his wife and daughters and was celebrated in his time. His books live on as classics in literature.
November 1, 2019
A Legend In His Own Time
Everyone knows Mark twain, or Samuel Clemens, as he was born. But many of us did not know the tragic life he lived, his many losses in life, especially the loss of his wife and children. He was very well-traveled for the time, having seen most of the world and written about much of it. A true American legend.
Everyone knows Mark twain, or Samuel Clemens, as he was born. But many of us did not know the tragic life he lived, his many losses in life, especially the loss of his wife and children. He was very well-traveled for the time, having seen most of the world and written about much of it. A true American legend.
November 19, 2019
I recently had the pleasure of hearing "Mark Twain" speak at a local library. I really enjoyed the actor's performance and it left me wanting to learn more about Mark Twain. While this book was good, it was just a brief overview of his life. I will be looking for something a little more in depth. But if you just want the basics, this is a good choice.
December 17, 2021
Mark Twain neither too shallow or too deep.
Samuel Clemens was a multi-faceted character, not an easy man to understand. Mark Twain, as an author who is both Clemens and an identity separate from Clemens, only adds to this. From this complex identity as both Clemens and Twain, from an adventurous and tragic life, and from observations of the world.
Samuel Clemens was a multi-faceted character, not an easy man to understand. Mark Twain, as an author who is both Clemens and an identity separate from Clemens, only adds to this. From this complex identity as both Clemens and Twain, from an adventurous and tragic life, and from observations of the world.
January 28, 2022
Brief History Of an American Icon
This is a great review of the history of the man known mostly as Mark Twain. It is an easy read with the highlights of Samuel Clemens life. It covered his struggles and accomplishments . It has great detail to be such a short version of his life and brings out a lot of his personal life.
This is a great review of the history of the man known mostly as Mark Twain. It is an easy read with the highlights of Samuel Clemens life. It covered his struggles and accomplishments . It has great detail to be such a short version of his life and brings out a lot of his personal life.
June 9, 2018
ENLIGHTENING CONDENSED ACCOUNT OF A GREAT WRITER
I am so very captured with the amazing life of this remarkable author/lecturer who has inspired so many with his lightening quick wit.
I am so very captured with the amazing life of this remarkable author/lecturer who has inspired so many with his lightening quick wit.
December 24, 2018
Good quick feel for the man Samuel Clements and the author\Philosopher Mark Twain
A difficult task to try to explain such a complicated personality as Mark Twain was handled, I think, very well.
A difficult task to try to explain such a complicated personality as Mark Twain was handled, I think, very well.
November 26, 2019
Good ebook by hourly history on Mark Twain. The pioneer of American literature.
It was great read about Mark Twain, the father of American literature and a satirical humorist. I am about to read his best novels on Tim sawyer and huckleberry finn.
It was great read about Mark Twain, the father of American literature and a satirical humorist. I am about to read his best novels on Tim sawyer and huckleberry finn.
May 20, 2022
The literary legend
This brief biography of the life of Mark Twain was absolutely amazing and tragic a very rich and diverse a life as any other biography I've read
Hourly History did an incredible job
This brief biography of the life of Mark Twain was absolutely amazing and tragic a very rich and diverse a life as any other biography I've read
Hourly History did an incredible job
June 6, 2022
Complex , maybe bi polar?
A,quick read on Samuel Clemens and Mark Twain. Surprising how quickly people could die or suffer mental problems. Olivia a great editor, got mark to rewrite and improve some works!
A,quick read on Samuel Clemens and Mark Twain. Surprising how quickly people could die or suffer mental problems. Olivia a great editor, got mark to rewrite and improve some works!
July 21, 2023
A fascinating life
This great little book provides an excellent overview of one of America's greatest literary giants. I often read Hourly History books to see if I wish to learn more about a subject. This great little monograph has heightened my interest in Sam.
This great little book provides an excellent overview of one of America's greatest literary giants. I often read Hourly History books to see if I wish to learn more about a subject. This great little monograph has heightened my interest in Sam.
May 27, 2018
Brilliant
I absolutely loved this. My father introduced me to the work of Mark Twain as a child and I have been a fan ever since.
I absolutely loved this. My father introduced me to the work of Mark Twain as a child and I have been a fan ever since.
March 14, 2021
These "Hourly History" reads are really informative. Of course, they are not scholarly endeavors, but they are great to read while you're waiting in line or waiting for an appointment.
October 16, 2021
An interesting read.
August 14, 2022
Good book!
Never new much about Mark Twain Read his book's but not much else. He had much grief and death in his life.
Never new much about Mark Twain Read his book's but not much else. He had much grief and death in his life.
March 26, 2023
Easy read
This book is probably more interesting for Americans then European but still a interesting book and easy read.
Good fast insights to Mark Twains life as he know as.
This book is probably more interesting for Americans then European but still a interesting book and easy read.
Good fast insights to Mark Twains life as he know as.
May 9, 2023
This book was informative, concise and well written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
February 25, 2024
Interesting
Mark Twain lived an amazing and tragic life. He wrote great literature and had wonderful travels. His works are classic
Mark Twain lived an amazing and tragic life. He wrote great literature and had wonderful travels. His works are classic
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews