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Mark Twain’s Book of Animals

Mark Twain author Barry Moser illustrator Shelley Fisher Fishkin editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:University of California Press

Published:28th Jun '11

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Mark Twain’s Book of Animals cover

Longtime admirers of Mark Twain are aware of how integral animals were to his work as a writer, from his first stories through his final years, including many pieces that were left unpublished at his death. This beautiful volume, illustrated with 30 new images by master engraver Barry Moser, gathers writings from the full span of Mark Twain's career and elucidates his special attachment to and regard for animals. What may surprise even longtime readers and fans is that Twain was an early and ardent animal welfare advocate, the most prominent American of his day to take up that cause. Edited and selected by Shelley Fisher Fishkin, who has also supplied an introduction and afterword, Mark Twain's Book of Animals includes stories that are familiar along with those that are appearing in print for the first time.

"An unfamiliar facet of a literary giant... Succinctly represents Twain's admiration for the animal kingdom and relentless optimism in the face of human inadequacies." Publishers Weekly "A work that can easily be enjoyed by the casual reader of Twain and certainly qualifies as an essential volume for the devoted Twain scholar." -- Martin Zehr Mark Twain Forum "This collection is as entertaining, visceral, sardonic and chastising as any of his [Twain's] major works." -- Martin Zehr Kansas City Star "Damn near flawless... The perfect holiday gift-book." Open Letters Blog "Enjoy the tongue-twisting discourse Twain engages in with his two daughters about cats and much more." Cat Fancy "Brings together full stories, sketches, and brief passages that demonstrate Twain's unique voice, skill as a writer, compassion, and humor. The engravings bring home the directness to Twain's prose and add a special sense of wonder to this charming yet sobering book." -- R.k Dickson The Bloomsbury Review

ISBN: 9780520271524

Dimensions: 254mm x 178mm x 27mm

Weight: 635g

344 pages