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

Monday Nov 13, 2023

Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain

Episodes

51 Reminiscences

52 A Burning Brand

53 My Boyhood’s Home

54 Past and Present

55 A Vendetta and Other Things

56 A Question of Law

57 An Archangel

58 On the Upper River

59 Legends and Scenery

60 Speculations and Conclusion