the travels of mark twain

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Often overlooked are the books that famous authors write of their personal travels around the world. In truth, I find that they give me great insight into the person well beyond their popular novels.

One of my favorites is Darwin’s “Journal” which logs the great explorer and artist ( did you know that?) as he traveled around the world on the Beagle. Mark Twain’s books entitled ‘Following the Equator’ (volume 2 – 1899) is a great read… that I often have to reread a section to insure he wasn’t pulling my leg. For example, he discusses the works of Jane Austin seemingly with high praise until you realize that he really doesn’t like her work.

Mark Twain was quite a hunter killing more than a dozen tigers while in India. BTW, tigers are quite a pest as they hide in overhanging trees and scoop up the locals as they pass by in their boats. I am sure that Twain viewed this as a ‘public service’. He was not without a sense of humor with his readers as well; he had the publisher print an authentic looking signature at the front of every book attesting to its authenticity. Sadly, some folks cut these out and sell them as the originals on the net.

In any event, this is a fun series to have and to read.

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