"Born Samuel Langhorn Clemens, Mark Twain was a humorist and author considered by many to be one of the defining voices in American literature. Twain is responsible for such works as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn."--Publisher.

Includes index.

Mark Twain (1835?1910) : his life in short -- Now let's start talking ? -- The river -- Samuel Clemens becomes Mark Twain -- Money -- Providence and training -- Humor, satire, and human nature -- Religion, God, and the Bible -- The writer -- The cultural critic -- Travel -- Dollars, royalty, and fame -- Presidents and politicians -- Imperialism -- Slavery and race -- Huckleberry Finn.