mjsteimle's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book because I read somewhere that it was a good commentary on the time period. While I really don't think it did that, it was an enjoyable read. Typical of Twain, this is not a conventional autobiography. The structure of the book is a compilation of sketches about his life, many of which would not be of interest to me, except for the fact that they are humorous and Twain writes with such a comfortable voice.
tlchand's review against another edition
2.0
I was prepared to love this book. How enticing for an author to request that his autobiography not be published until 100 years after his death so that he could be honest about those he had interacted with throughout his life. He wanted to ensure that those individuals were long gone from this earth, as well as their children and their children's children.
I came away with a strong appreciation of the life that Samuel Clemens led and some of the amazing individuals that he encountered in his lifetime. What a great history lesson of our great country. Unfortunately, there was less autobiography and more biography of others. In the portions where he talked about his youth, where story inspirations came from, as well as his family, it was quite enjoyable. There were entirely too many instances where he spent way too much time talking about the life and details of those he knew or details of villas in which he resided.
The man definitely had a biting humor and generally speaking, no one in his autobiography went without being the subject of this humor.
I came away with a strong appreciation of the life that Samuel Clemens led and some of the amazing individuals that he encountered in his lifetime. What a great history lesson of our great country. Unfortunately, there was less autobiography and more biography of others. In the portions where he talked about his youth, where story inspirations came from, as well as his family, it was quite enjoyable. There were entirely too many instances where he spent way too much time talking about the life and details of those he knew or details of villas in which he resided.
The man definitely had a biting humor and generally speaking, no one in his autobiography went without being the subject of this humor.
randybo5's review against another edition
4.0
Mark Twain's musings about himself, others, and events of the day are by turns witty, insightful, and biting. Those expecting a traditional autobiography will be disappointed, but for those who appreciate Twain's humor, this book is a delight.
_dunno_'s review against another edition
3.0
Most of it is funny. And it’s frustrating when, compared to Twain, I’m leading an incredibly dull life. Everything that is interesting, funny, outrageous, supernatural & all seems to happen to him. And oh, the envy on his wittiness!
In some parts, it’s touchy. Not only the episodes about his mother and brother (characters in his books – Sid and Aunt Polly, for those who remember), but especially the memories about his wife and daughters. Susy’s biography, written when she was about 14 (have no idea if it ever got to be published) is at the same time, funny, objective and delicate.
In some smaller parts it’s boring – consider the episodes about his troubles with business partners, copyrights a.s.o. But then again, family comes into sight, with focus on his wife, Olivia, an extremely determined woman, who always found a way to get out of financial problems.
In some parts, it’s touchy. Not only the episodes about his mother and brother (characters in his books – Sid and Aunt Polly, for those who remember), but especially the memories about his wife and daughters. Susy’s biography, written when she was about 14 (have no idea if it ever got to be published) is at the same time, funny, objective and delicate.
In some smaller parts it’s boring – consider the episodes about his troubles with business partners, copyrights a.s.o. But then again, family comes into sight, with focus on his wife, Olivia, an extremely determined woman, who always found a way to get out of financial problems.
sharpenanother's review against another edition
5.0
An extraordinary life and book. This book was dictated in the final years of his life, and I felt like I was sitting in front of Mark Twain and hearing him tell me his story as a friend would. I laughed and got choked up multiple times as I read about his triumphs, misadventures, and losses. It was very interesting to see how many famous stories of his were directly taken from his own life or the lives of those he knew. The structure is unlike any other autobiography I've read, as it follows a generally chronological timeline, but deviates from this course at will and occasionally breaks up the narrative with excerpts from letters and diaries. A fascinating book for any fan of Twain or American history.
jvanwagoner's review against another edition
informative
4.0
Audiobook review
This review is for the audiobook read by Grover Gardner. The reader we excellent, and his voice sounded like I imagined Mark Twain would sound. He used excellent intonations and captured well the innocent-sounding sarcasm of Twain. The audio quality was also excellent. I would give the audiobook portion five stars.
The rest of the book was slightly different, as other reviewers mentioned. It was more of a scholarly work, and it took a while to get into the actual writings of Twain. I love Mark Twain and enjoyed what he said, but I wouldn't say I liked the rambling style where there was no timeline or specific theme. Twain noted that this style would become revolutionary and become widely adopted. It didn't, and I can see why.
I recommend this book to Mark Twain fans but would hesitate to recommend it to casual fans. The stories and perspective are fun but must be more cohesive for my tastes. I would give the book three stars, and overall as an audiobook, I gave it four stars.
I originally wrote this review on 4/19/2012.
jocelynw's review against another edition
5.0
Ask yourself before you go to the effort of lifting this thing: Does the idea of hundreds of pages of "random stories" (modern use of "random" there) from Twain's life sound to you like dull b-list material, or the opportunity to glimpse one of your most admired minds in quieter moments? Non-fiction Twain is my best beloved Twain, and this gathering of thoughts from my favorite observer of human nature is a delight.
adambwriter's review against another edition
5.0
Painful and wonderful.
Read the full review:
http://classiclit.about.com/od//fl/The-Autobiography-of-Mark-Twain.htm
Read the full review:
http://classiclit.about.com/od/
elisabeth1st's review against another edition
3.0
My recommendation is that the reader go to the center of the book and start there. I am not a student of Mark Twain, thus was uninterested in the 400 some odd page introduction that rambled on and turned my eyes into raisins. The rest was enjoyable, but nothing unexpected and certainly nothing that demanded it remain undercover for 100 years. I wish I had started The Chaperone instead.
shawnwhy's review against another edition
5.0
humor, and good observation,
very interesting story about General Grant, and his sculptural portrait, President Hoover, john D Rockerfeller Jr. and all sorts of personages in his era. He is certainly very conservative and judgemental in a very Mark Twain way.
very interesting story about General Grant, and his sculptural portrait, President Hoover, john D Rockerfeller Jr. and all sorts of personages in his era. He is certainly very conservative and judgemental in a very Mark Twain way.