Mark Twain Himself: A Pictorial Biography (Volume 1)

by Milton Meltzer

Mark Twain’s life—one of the richest and raciest America has known—is delightfully portrayed in this mosaic of words and more than 600 pictures that capture the career of one of America’s most colorful personalities. The words are Twain’s own, taken from his writings—not only the autobiography but also his letters, notebooks, newspaper reporting, sketches, travel pieces, and fiction. The illustrations provide the perfect counterpoint to Twain’s text. Presented in the hundreds of photos, prints, drawings, cartoons, and paintings is Twain himself, from the apprentice in his printer’s cap to the dying world-famous figure finishing his last voyage in a wheelchair. Mark Twain A Pictorial Biography will not only inform and entertain the casual reader but will provide a valuable resource to scholars and teachers of Twain as well.

Genres: Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Milton Meltzer wrote 110 books, five of which were nominated for the National Book Award. With Langston Hughes, he co-authored A Pictorial History of Black Americans, now in its sixth edition. He received the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contribution to children's literature, the 1986 Jane Addams Peace Association Children's Book Award, and the 2000 Regina Medal. He died in New York City of esophageal cancer at age 94.

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanting a light read which would allow for interruptions, I picked this off the shelves at Heirloom Books in Chicago. A profusely illustrated biography of Twain, it is made up of short chapters, none longer than four pages, tracing his life from birth to death, treating of (1) life events as they occurred, (2) as they were published and (3) as they were received. The text is mostly Twain's, Meltzer providing continuity and explaining the pictures.

Twain, his wife and his daughters all come across very positively, his marriage and household having been, by this account, happy.

[JAMES AKER · Rating 4 out of 5]

An outstanding biography. Although much of it is in Mark Twain's own words, I don't think I would call this an autobiography.The author has compiled this work from many articles and letters Twain wrote in his lifetime. Most notable are the many pictures of the great man and his family. This book would be a asset to anyone planning to read the recently released Autobiography of Mark Twain Volume 1.

In any case it follows Sam Clemens life from his birth in Hannibal, MO to his death in New York City 74 years later. A most remarkable fellow. As he often said, " I am not AN American. I am THE American." And danged if he wasn't.