Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Collector’s Edition, 100^th anniversary of Twain’s death

The authentic, original version

Mark Twain, pen name for Samuel Clemens, is one of America’s most beloved authors. He dictated his autobiography in the early 1900s. Several of his family members had already died, including his beloved wife.

Pages of memories about his family fill the book, giving readers insights into characters, events, and settings of his famous novels.

He set out to write his autobiography in a different form than others had done. It’s not written in chronological order. Rather it jumps from the past to the present as circumstances bring to mind occurrences from his childhood, early adulthood, or raising his daughters.

Twain believed this format would be a model for future autobiographies. It jumps around a bit too much for me, though I easily understood why he moves from past to present because events tie them together.

I loved learning about the people, everyday moments, and events that Twain writes for his readers.

This glimpse into Twain’s private life is a treasure. One of my favorite authors!

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