Mark Twain: The First Truly American Writer

Product Description

Samuel Langhorne Clements was born in 1835 in Florida, Missouri. By the time of his death in 1910, he was known around the world as Mark Twain, “the first truly American writer” and the country’s greatest humorist. In his lifetime, he published over 30 books, both fiction and non-fiction, and wrote countless sketches, articles, essays, and letters. He traveled the world and as a lecturer appeared on five continents; biographer Ron Powers has dubbed him America’s “first rock star.”

Mark Twain is one of the few authors whose books were bestsellers in three centuries. Some of his works were also controversial when they were written, and they still are today. But even critics who have a problem with his language and manner do not deny that he is the quintessential American writer.

Mark Twain has become a part of American culture: schools in 16 states are named for him; there are parks, playgrounds, and libraries named for him; a national prize for humor bears his name, as do a number of awards for outstanding literature. “As a legend‚” one author has said, “Mark Twain is alive and well – and almost as well known as he ever was.”

To fully appreciate the writings of Mark Twain, it is important to look at and understand the life of Samuel Clemens – both his successes and his failures. Through interviews with renown Mark Twain impersonator John Pogson, vintage film and photos, this program gives students an opportunity to examine the life of the man who became – and still is – an American icon.