Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain

A river memoir documenting Twain’s early days as an apprentice steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the American Civil War. Reminiscing about his happy experiences as a young man under the instruction of an experienced mentor, the autobiographical tale depicts one of the most vivid illustrations of river life. Furthermore, the book captures the author’s nostalgic emotions through his resonant depiction of one of the most notable periods of his life. Twain begins his memoir with a rich historical account of the Mississippi River including its exploration by early explorers, its evolution, and its vastness. He then proceeds to tell of his youthful experiences along the river, and its significant role in his life from early childhood right up to adulthood. Subsequently, the classic focuses on Twain’s time as a cub-pilot on a steamboat and the incidents that occur during his apprenticeship. Never depicting a dull moment, the author mentions various characters and encounters w...

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Episodes

Saturday Dec 23, 2023

Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain

Episodes

11 The River Rises

12 Sounding

13 A Pilot’s Needs

14 Rank and Dignity of Piloting

15 The Pilots’ Monopoly

16 Racing Days

17 Cut-offs and Stephen

18 I Take a Few Extra Lessons

19 Brown and I Exchange Compliments

20 A Catastrophe