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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 818.409
EAN: 9780060518653
ISBN: 0060518650
Label: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 336
Publication Date: 2004-02
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Product Release Date: 2004-02-17
Studio: Harper Perennial Modern Classics

If you're already familiar with Finn and Sawyer, perhaps this collection of fragments, short stories, and essays--assembled posthumously some few decades ago now, but still fresh--will enhance your sense of Twain's true range. A particular favorite: his essay "The Damned Human Race," wherein he proves, rather convincingly, that an anaconda snake is a higher form of life than an English Earl.

Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Twain at its best
Review: The book was published posthumously, and you immediately understand why by reading the first part, about Satan on holiday on earth, writing letters with his impressions of the place back to his pals in heaven. As with most collections, this one is a bit uneven, with several parts you may want to skip, or that have lost their appeal because of the different time we live in. Nonetheless, many of these pages represent Twain at its most ironic, penetrating, witty self.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: STILL HAVE IT!
Review: I have a had an old paperback copy of this for 20 years now, so this copy is just a "newer version". I fell in love with MT as a result of this work that I originally read in 1984, and have not taken religion, or anything about it seriously since! It doesn't get any better then this!

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Outstanding Book--A Definate Must Read!
Review: This book has sincerely changed my life in a very positive way. It is an intraspective look into basic beliefs and conceptions (often misconceptions) about religion and discusses the big questions like "If God is all powerful and all good then why does he allow innocent children to contract unspeakable malodies and horrific diseases?". Growing up I always had questions about religion and why beliefs and teachings were held to be true--now I realize that I'm not alone in my thoughts and feelings. This book breaks down the bible and seeks to make the reader think logically about its teachings. Whether you are an ordained minister or simply curious like I was, this book will impact your life forever and improve your critical thinking skills--I promise you will not be disappointed!

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Hard to find item, easy to find on Amazon!
Review: This book was a gift and we had it sent to another address. No fault of Amazon's but the book delivery is very slow. The recipient assured us it is in fine shape and she is very happy with it. She says it's a very interesting perspective on the topic and is good for anyone trying to expand their knowledge.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: I'm picturing Mark Twain saying, "Hot young blossoms"
Review: I picked this up solely for the first story, Letters from the Earth, but I ended up reading through the entire book and find I have a new appreciation for Twain's humor and satire. Letters was very entertaining, although the religiously inclined may not find it funny at all. However, I'm not, and I did! Some other portions worth a read include Eve's autobiography (revealing!), an amusing critique of James Fenimore Cooper's writing style, a parody of an etiquette manual, and The Damned Human Race, which demonstrates the 'descent' of man. Twain died in 1910, and this collection of essays and short stories was not published until 1962.

Oh, and Mark Twain referring to "hot young blossoms" amused me to no end. :)

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