Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc (ePub)

Mark Twain, the pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), stands as an iconic figure in American literature. Born in Florida, Missouri, Twain grew up alongside the Mississippi River, a setting that would later permeate his most famous works. He began his career as a printer's apprentice and eventually became a master riverboat pilot on the Mississippi, a period during which he adopted his famous pseudonym. Twain's literary career burgeoned with the publication of 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County' (1865), which announced his distinct narrative style characterized by humor and social satire. His canon includes such classics as 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' (1876) and its sequel 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' (1884), often referred to as the 'Great American Novel'. Not limited to the comedic and the adventurous, Twain also explored historical fiction, exemplified by 'Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc' (1896), a work that revealed his deep respect for the French heroine's character and reflected his interest in issues of justice and heroism. Despite a literary career that made him one of the most celebrated authors of his time, Twain faced financial difficulties and personal tragedies, which infused his later works with a darker tone. His unique blend of humor, narrative prowess, and a deep-seated concern with moral questions secures his place as a pivotal figure in American letters.