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Lives and Legacies
Mark Twain
Mark Twain towered above the American literary landscape. With a worldwide fame greater than that of statesmen, scientists, or entertainers, Twain was in his own words "the most conspicuous man on the planet." Now, in this wonderful recounting of his career, Larzer Ziff offers an incisive, illuminating look at one of the giants of American letters.
Mark Twain emerges in this book as something of a paradox. His humor made him rich and famous, but he was unhappy with the role of humorist. He satirized the rapacious economic practices of his society, yet was caught up in those very practices himself. He was a literary genius who revolutionized the national literature, yet was unable to resist whatever quirky notion or joke that crossed his mind, often straying from his plot or contradicting his theme. Ziff offers a lively account of Twain's early years, explores all his major fiction, and concludes with a consideration of his craftsmanship and his strength as a cultural critic. He offers particularly telling insight into Twain's travel writings, providing for example an insightful account of Following the Equator , perhaps Twain's most underrated work. Throughout the book, Ziff examines Twain's writings in light of the literary cultures of his day--from frontier humorists to Matthew Arnold--and of parallel literary works of his
time--comparing, for example, A Connecticut Yankee with major utopian works of the same decade. Thus the book is both a work of literary criticism and of cultural history.
Compact and sparkling, here then is an invaluable introduction to Mark Twain, capturing the humor and the contradictions of America's most beloved writer.
Mark Twain emerges in this book as something of a paradox. His humor made him rich and famous, but he was unhappy with the role of humorist. He satirized the rapacious economic practices of his society, yet was caught up in those very practices himself. He was a literary genius who revolutionized the national literature, yet was unable to resist whatever quirky notion or joke that crossed his mind, often straying from his plot or contradicting his theme. Ziff offers a lively account of Twain's early years, explores all his major fiction, and concludes with a consideration of his craftsmanship and his strength as a cultural critic. He offers particularly telling insight into Twain's travel writings, providing for example an insightful account of Following the Equator , perhaps Twain's most underrated work. Throughout the book, Ziff examines Twain's writings in light of the literary cultures of his day--from frontier humorists to Matthew Arnold--and of parallel literary works of his
time--comparing, for example, A Connecticut Yankee with major utopian works of the same decade. Thus the book is both a work of literary criticism and of cultural history.
Compact and sparkling, here then is an invaluable introduction to Mark Twain, capturing the humor and the contradictions of America's most beloved writer.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
17 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Larzer Ziff
39 books2 followersLarzer Ziff is Caroline Donovan Research Professor of English at The Johns Hopkins University.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 26, 2023
This is a exceptionally interesting book. You'd need to have read a fair amount of Twain to get much out of it because it's a quick series of references to his works and his life for which you already need context. But if you're familiar with Twain, this book has a lot of insights about what he was doing and how he changed literature and American culture.
The author is (was) a professor, and I assume the chapters and sections are pieces of lectures. They don't fit together very well sometimes, but he keeps returning to a few key themes, and that's how a picture emerges. That picture is of a writer who always had humor at the core of what he did but, at the same time, felt embarrassed that maybe humor wasn't the highest calling of literature. However, if someone criticized him for being "merely" a humorist or comic writer, he'd fight back with satire.
The book points out many things that weren't obvious to me. For example, he wrote 7 novels (I think that's right) and nearly as many travel books, and it's why he is most known today. But in his day, he was better known for his short, topical pieces that appeared in leading magazines and newspapers constantly. He was always called upon for an opinion or a quip on a current topic, and he usually obliged. He was like Steven Colbert or some other late-night comic, but with everyone paying attention to him. Most of the novels and travel books were bestsellers in their day, but some didn't get great reviews. They were not esteemed, and in fact, most were sold on a subscription basis by house-to-house peddlers, rather than preprinted and available in bookstores. Bookstores were for quality, serious literature.
As described by Ziff, a lot of Twain's work involved a metaphysical journey that paralleled the physical journeys so common in his books. These were young men, innocents abroad so to speak, who went somewhere and did some stuff and emerged more knowledgeable, more worldly, and also more humble about their place in the world. Twain liked to pretend this was his path as well, but it wasn't quite. For example, in writing about both his two weeks with an informal rebel militia at the start of the Civil War and then his time as a prospector in post-Gold Rush California, he portrays himself as a waif, a kid barely out of knickers, who was amazed by everything he saw. Actually, he was 26 when he did his militia stint and then escaped to the West, and he'd already been trained in the extraordinarily hard job of being a Mississippi River pilot. He only stopped doing that job because shipping the river was ruined by the war's hostilities.
Twain was a keen observer of human folly -- that's pretty obvious. This book does a great job of giving examples of it that are hugely entertaining and go beyond the ones from his well-known works. At the same time, there was an edge of defensiveness to Twain about these things that isn't always appreciated. In particular, his first popular book, "Innocents Abroad," shows him as the ignorant American taking a round-the-world trip with other ignorant Americans, reveling in the fact that he doesn't like Renaissance paintings or fancy churches. To a large degree, this was true. He didn't have a ton of education, and he didn't understand the great works he was seeing, and he was ok with that. He turned travel writing on its head by saying that it's ok to not understand something or even not like it. You don't have to listen to the alleged experts (in this way, he was a century-and-a-half ahead of the ignorant Republicans today who doubt vaccine developers, climate change scientists, and school principals). But the book also explains how Twain matured. Late in life he wrote another travel book, and this time he focused on the savagery and inequity he saw in repressive, genocidal regimes around the world. He wasn't an "innocent" abroad any more; he was a thoughtful person who did what he could to right the world's wrongs.
There are many long biographies about Mark Twain, and it's worth reading one or two of them. This book is not a substitute, by any stretch. But it hits some of the high points of his literature, and it puts it in context of the America in which he was living --- a time of great economic and social change, but also reactionary forces that stunted the lives of many, especially Black Americans. Twain saw it all, commented on it all, and was generally right about it.
The author is (was) a professor, and I assume the chapters and sections are pieces of lectures. They don't fit together very well sometimes, but he keeps returning to a few key themes, and that's how a picture emerges. That picture is of a writer who always had humor at the core of what he did but, at the same time, felt embarrassed that maybe humor wasn't the highest calling of literature. However, if someone criticized him for being "merely" a humorist or comic writer, he'd fight back with satire.
The book points out many things that weren't obvious to me. For example, he wrote 7 novels (I think that's right) and nearly as many travel books, and it's why he is most known today. But in his day, he was better known for his short, topical pieces that appeared in leading magazines and newspapers constantly. He was always called upon for an opinion or a quip on a current topic, and he usually obliged. He was like Steven Colbert or some other late-night comic, but with everyone paying attention to him. Most of the novels and travel books were bestsellers in their day, but some didn't get great reviews. They were not esteemed, and in fact, most were sold on a subscription basis by house-to-house peddlers, rather than preprinted and available in bookstores. Bookstores were for quality, serious literature.
As described by Ziff, a lot of Twain's work involved a metaphysical journey that paralleled the physical journeys so common in his books. These were young men, innocents abroad so to speak, who went somewhere and did some stuff and emerged more knowledgeable, more worldly, and also more humble about their place in the world. Twain liked to pretend this was his path as well, but it wasn't quite. For example, in writing about both his two weeks with an informal rebel militia at the start of the Civil War and then his time as a prospector in post-Gold Rush California, he portrays himself as a waif, a kid barely out of knickers, who was amazed by everything he saw. Actually, he was 26 when he did his militia stint and then escaped to the West, and he'd already been trained in the extraordinarily hard job of being a Mississippi River pilot. He only stopped doing that job because shipping the river was ruined by the war's hostilities.
Twain was a keen observer of human folly -- that's pretty obvious. This book does a great job of giving examples of it that are hugely entertaining and go beyond the ones from his well-known works. At the same time, there was an edge of defensiveness to Twain about these things that isn't always appreciated. In particular, his first popular book, "Innocents Abroad," shows him as the ignorant American taking a round-the-world trip with other ignorant Americans, reveling in the fact that he doesn't like Renaissance paintings or fancy churches. To a large degree, this was true. He didn't have a ton of education, and he didn't understand the great works he was seeing, and he was ok with that. He turned travel writing on its head by saying that it's ok to not understand something or even not like it. You don't have to listen to the alleged experts (in this way, he was a century-and-a-half ahead of the ignorant Republicans today who doubt vaccine developers, climate change scientists, and school principals). But the book also explains how Twain matured. Late in life he wrote another travel book, and this time he focused on the savagery and inequity he saw in repressive, genocidal regimes around the world. He wasn't an "innocent" abroad any more; he was a thoughtful person who did what he could to right the world's wrongs.
There are many long biographies about Mark Twain, and it's worth reading one or two of them. This book is not a substitute, by any stretch. But it hits some of the high points of his literature, and it puts it in context of the America in which he was living --- a time of great economic and social change, but also reactionary forces that stunted the lives of many, especially Black Americans. Twain saw it all, commented on it all, and was generally right about it.
December 30, 2018
Interesting but Unfocused
Larger Ziff’s book starts out promisingly enough with some biographical information about how Samuel Clemens got his start as a writer. The important milestones of Clemens’ life are touched on: his early journalism, his conversion to Mark Twain, his financial troubles, his turn as a riverboat pilot, his many lectures, and the deaths of his wife and daughters. Also, at least in the beginning of “Mark Twain,” Ziff does a nice job of situating the author’s writing in the context of the social and literary trends of the time. He shows how Twain’s work emerged both from his own experiences as well as public events and his contemporaries’ book. About midway through, however, “Mark Twain” becomes simultaneously more pedantic and less focused. It starts to bounce around much less chronologically, while Ziff also starts dissecting some of the individual works, offering literary criticism that is inevitably surface-level in a book of this length. Length may be the problem. Ziff’s book is a mere 115 pages, and in that span he attempts—as mentioned above—biography, social commentary, a survey of Twain’s entire catalog (which is extensive) and literary criticism. The result is what becomes a scrambled hodgepodge, and I was left wondering who the intended readership was for this book. The prose is too academic for the general reader, but the ideas presented are too basic for any serious Twain scholar. I personally feel Ziff would’ve benefited by continuing through with a chronological biography, placing each book in context, and dispensing altogether with the literary commentary. All of this is not to say there are no redeeming features. I found a number of interesting points throughout, particularly when it came to areas that haven’t received intense focus previously, such as Twain’s religious beliefs or his insecurities about the humor he used in his stories. I can’t say I would wholeheartedly endorse this book but at the same time it did pique my interest in Twain’s life and work, leaving me wanting to know more.
Larger Ziff’s book starts out promisingly enough with some biographical information about how Samuel Clemens got his start as a writer. The important milestones of Clemens’ life are touched on: his early journalism, his conversion to Mark Twain, his financial troubles, his turn as a riverboat pilot, his many lectures, and the deaths of his wife and daughters. Also, at least in the beginning of “Mark Twain,” Ziff does a nice job of situating the author’s writing in the context of the social and literary trends of the time. He shows how Twain’s work emerged both from his own experiences as well as public events and his contemporaries’ book. About midway through, however, “Mark Twain” becomes simultaneously more pedantic and less focused. It starts to bounce around much less chronologically, while Ziff also starts dissecting some of the individual works, offering literary criticism that is inevitably surface-level in a book of this length. Length may be the problem. Ziff’s book is a mere 115 pages, and in that span he attempts—as mentioned above—biography, social commentary, a survey of Twain’s entire catalog (which is extensive) and literary criticism. The result is what becomes a scrambled hodgepodge, and I was left wondering who the intended readership was for this book. The prose is too academic for the general reader, but the ideas presented are too basic for any serious Twain scholar. I personally feel Ziff would’ve benefited by continuing through with a chronological biography, placing each book in context, and dispensing altogether with the literary commentary. All of this is not to say there are no redeeming features. I found a number of interesting points throughout, particularly when it came to areas that haven’t received intense focus previously, such as Twain’s religious beliefs or his insecurities about the humor he used in his stories. I can’t say I would wholeheartedly endorse this book but at the same time it did pique my interest in Twain’s life and work, leaving me wanting to know more.
July 26, 2025
I did not know what to expect from this book. What I found was a wealth of background on Twain, his life, his career, public and scholarly opinion on him and his works and what he appeared to feel about travel and his contemporary authors. With nearly every page turn I found myself learning more about Twain and really enjoyed the information. To date I have read five of Twains books and have a few more on hand. What I realize after reading this book is how much I need to acquire the travel stories/books, which I do not have.
One thing I found interesting that I suspect most people also will not know. 1. Twain went broke multiple times and one time moved the family to Europe to live cheaper. 2. Twain sold most of his work through subscription services that employed War of Northern Aggression veterans and females who went door to door in rural areas signing people up and once enough books were ordered, they would be printed and delivered. This was completely new to me.
One thing I found interesting that I suspect most people also will not know. 1. Twain went broke multiple times and one time moved the family to Europe to live cheaper. 2. Twain sold most of his work through subscription services that employed War of Northern Aggression veterans and females who went door to door in rural areas signing people up and once enough books were ordered, they would be printed and delivered. This was completely new to me.
November 14, 2023
An informative and scholarly little book by an author I haven't heard from but now appreciate.
I learned a lot. As well known as the subject is the author supplied an added bit of literary and theological perspective as well as a clearer sketch of the times that Samuel Clemens lived and produced his body of work in, and forged his legacy. I had underestimated the pivotal events and changes happening in his lifetime. More than once, the author reminds the reader that people and the world changed, as Clements did, through the Civil War, the Spanish American War, the end of slavery, progress in industry, technology. A little deep to wade at times, it's a small book with a lot of thought; not an quick read but a very satisfying one.
I learned a lot. As well known as the subject is the author supplied an added bit of literary and theological perspective as well as a clearer sketch of the times that Samuel Clemens lived and produced his body of work in, and forged his legacy. I had underestimated the pivotal events and changes happening in his lifetime. More than once, the author reminds the reader that people and the world changed, as Clements did, through the Civil War, the Spanish American War, the end of slavery, progress in industry, technology. A little deep to wade at times, it's a small book with a lot of thought; not an quick read but a very satisfying one.
August 29, 2014
This slim little volume is a gem of a perceptively wrought portrait of the white-suited sly witted charmer of American letters.
I've been hoarding Twain quotes for most of my adult life, and could not resist this biography by a professor of American literary culture. If you are a fan of Twain, if you crave reassurance that our current uneasy political climate is a recurring pattern which has reared and faded before, if you have a taste for an understated tale of bounteous survival in the face of crippling adversity, if you love the trim world of words and love it best when it backs you into unavoidable laughter, if you've wondered about the duality of the Samuel Clemens behind the Mark Twain persona, then you will find yourself satiated in these pages. I was looking for a glimpse of the man behind the wry wit, and found that.
But I also found a shrewd orderly analysis of Twain's contribution to American literature, and a moving portrayal of one man's fearless and compelling moral outrage in the face of a political landscape which is not so different from our own. A biography written with literacy as well as luminous intelligence is rare, and this is all that.
I've been hoarding Twain quotes for most of my adult life, and could not resist this biography by a professor of American literary culture. If you are a fan of Twain, if you crave reassurance that our current uneasy political climate is a recurring pattern which has reared and faded before, if you have a taste for an understated tale of bounteous survival in the face of crippling adversity, if you love the trim world of words and love it best when it backs you into unavoidable laughter, if you've wondered about the duality of the Samuel Clemens behind the Mark Twain persona, then you will find yourself satiated in these pages. I was looking for a glimpse of the man behind the wry wit, and found that.
But I also found a shrewd orderly analysis of Twain's contribution to American literature, and a moving portrayal of one man's fearless and compelling moral outrage in the face of a political landscape which is not so different from our own. A biography written with literacy as well as luminous intelligence is rare, and this is all that.
Read
July 31, 2011An extremely short and sweet bio on Twain, this book was actually not quite what I thought I was getting when I read it. It was well researched, but it reflected an aspect of the man's life that could be summed up and easily digested in a couple hours, and I suppose I was looking for this book to teach me something new and profound based on the titles of each of the chapters within the book. The Twain that Ziff presents does seem to be a little different than other scholars - this Twain was a man that is defined by his celebrity status and who would go beyond any sort of human definition because of his fame. In death, this Twain was an icon in the popular public eye, which was true, but he seems to remove much of any other interpretation of him. I think I was a bit disappointed, and it was not until I had finished reading it that I had realized that this book was part of a series of American Biographies. It was not a bad experience, though. A good read for a basic idea.
July 3, 2009
A delightful short biography of Twain divided into four chapters: Celebrity, Tourist, Novelist, and Humorist. Ziff focuses on Twain's writing with the details of life filled in around those discussions (do not recall if he gets around to Twain's death). He makes me want to read Twain again.
"With A Connecticut Yankee, a novel at war with itself yet absorbing in every detail, Mark Twain foreshadowed the ambiguous condition of the modern American writer, exposing the false values of his acquisitive society in his writings while pursuing its financial and social rewards in his personal life." (78)
"With A Connecticut Yankee, a novel at war with itself yet absorbing in every detail, Mark Twain foreshadowed the ambiguous condition of the modern American writer, exposing the false values of his acquisitive society in his writings while pursuing its financial and social rewards in his personal life." (78)
July 8, 2012
I enjoyed this overview about Mark Twain. It motivated me to begin reading books that Mark Twain has written! However, it was fortunate that I had recently read the biography of Mark Twain by Albert Bigelow Paine because that accounting was extremely thorough and complete. Without having read the Paine account, I would have gotten much less from reading the Ziff book.
July 5, 2012
a little over worded but informative. not heavy on pathos. probably better out there for such an interesting man
June 26, 2013
Gag. I felt like I was back in grad school. More of a look at his works than the man. Disappointed.
November 29, 2013
An interesting brief biography of Mark Twain written by a highly educated author.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews