LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI by Mark Twain HC 1899 Biographical Edition

Description: LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPIby Mark Twain____________________________Hardcover no dust jacket; 465 pages; Size Approx. 5 1/4 X 7 3/4.Published by Harper & Brothers; copyright 1899.Details: This is a nice old copy of this classic by Mark Twain."Life on the Mississippi (1883) is a memoir by Mark Twain of his days as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the American Civil War. It is also a travel book, recounting his trip up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Saint Paul many years after the war.""The book begins with a brief history of the river as reported by Europeans and Americans, beginning with the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1542. It continues with anecdotes of Twain's training as a steamboat pilot, as the 'cub' (apprentice) of an experienced pilot, Horace E. Bixby. He describes, with great affection, the science of navigating the ever-changing Mississippi River in a section that was first published in 1876, entitled "Old Times on the Mississippi." Although Twain was actually 21 when he began his training, he uses artistic license to make himself seem somewhat younger, referring to himself as a "fledgling" and a "boy" who "ran away from home" to seek his fortune on the river, and playing up his own callowness and naïveté."In the second half, Twain narrates his trip many years later on a steamboat from St. Louis to New Orleans, shortly followed by a steamboat journey from New Orleans to St Paul (with a stop at his boyhood home town of Hannibal, MO). He describes the competition from railroads, and the new, large cities, and adds his observations on greed, gullibility, tragedy, and bad architecture. He also tells some stories that are most likely tall tales." ~ WikipediaBound in original original dark green cloth with double-ruled borders, black title, author and floral motif to the front cover. Gilt lettering and trade emblem of the publisher on the spine. Upper page edges are gilt.Nice frontispiece of Mark Twain.The title page states "Biographical Edition."A fine addition for your bookshelf!Condition: Some edge wear, corners lightly bumped, light stains to back cover, upper portion of the front free-endpaper has been cut away, some penciled underlining and marginal notes have been erased but may show faintly in places, a little scattered foxing, otherwise in good condition with a solid binding and mostly clean pages. Note: The letter/number at the end of the title line for this listing is just an inventory code for locating the book. Free Domestic Economy Shipping!

Price: 65 USD

Location: Schenectady, New York

End Time: 2024-03-01T22:31:02.000Z

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