Letters of Mark Twain, Complete is a fascinating collection of letters written by the renowned American author, Mark Twain. Spanning over several decades, these letters offer a glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest literary figures in American history.

Through these letters, readers are able to see the wit, humor, and intelligence that made Twain such a beloved author. From personal correspondence with friends and family to business letters and literary critiques, this collection covers a wide range of topics and provides valuable insight into the life and times of Mark Twain.

What makes these letters so compelling is Twain's ability to capture the essence of the people and events he writes about. His sharp observations and clever commentary make each letter a joy to read, and readers will find themselves laughing out loud at some of his more humorous observations.

Overall, Letters of Mark Twain, Complete is a must-read for any fans of Twain's work or anyone interested in American literature. It offers a unique perspective on one of the most iconic figures in literary history and provides a glimpse into the man behind the stories.

Book Description:
These letters were arranged in two volumes by Albert Bigelow Paine, Samuel L. Clemens's literary executor, as a supplement to Mark Twain, A Biography, which Paine wrote. They are, for the most part, every letter written by Clemens known to exist at the time of their publication in 1917. They begin with a fragment of a letter from teenaged Sam Clemens to his sister, Pamela, and conclude with a letter to his attorney two weeks before his death.

These letters give us some degree of insight into the evolution of Twain's style of speech and prose over the period of his lifetime; they are a small window into the psyche that created the various characters of his stories.

But they also reveal the tragedies of his life: the lack of success in his business ventures, the passing of family. And as I read each one in this collection, I can almost detect the faint odor of one of his “devilish” cigars wafting across the room. (Introduction by James K. White)