The Bible According to Mark Twain

by Joseph B. Mccullough, Howard G. Baetzhold (Editor)

Overview

An indispensable and provocative compilation of witty essays dealing with Biblical stories and their inconsistencies from America’s master satirist, Mark Twain.

The Bible According to Mark Twain is a selection of essays spanning forty years of his writing career, which touch on and satirize stories and figures from the Bible. In his characteristic style, Twain illustrates the inherent comedy and inconsistencies found within Holy Scripture, simultaneously entertaining and provoking questions about man’s place in the world and his relationship with God. An important installment in the Twain canon, this book is perfect for fans of America’s master satirist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780684824390
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Publication date:	12/06/1996
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	453,009
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.44(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Joseph B. McCullough is a Professor of English at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition to a number of articles on Mark Twain, American humor, and Hamlin Garland, he is a “featured expert” on an A&E biography of Twain.

Editorial Reviews

Brings together 15 works that reveal Twain's lifelong attempts to deal--both humorously and seriously--with traditional religious concepts. The introduction to each selection tells when and how Twain came to write and publish--or fail to publish or to finish--the piece. All of the works have been newly edited from the manuscripts, where available. The endnotes provide valuable supplementary information. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Baetzhold and McCullough have delivered a great boon to lovers of Mark Twain. In providing for both those Biblical writings which Twain considered publishable and those that then seemed too potentially offensive for publication, they have enabled us to gain a fuller comprehension of the very complex author. In providing the original form as well as revised versions of published material, they have enabled us to observe the artist at work and thus to gain a deeper insight into the nature of his art. And in making their explanatory materials so readable and readily accessible, they made the pursuit of Mark Twain studies thoroughly enjoyable.

Mark Twain Society

The Bible According to Mark Twain helps us in the process of rediscovering or reinventing Mark Twain by engaging our question about where this figure came from, what forces shaped him, what he means, and why he speaks to and for Americans especially.

College Literature

A collection that offers readers a fascinating panoply of wit, satire, farce, fantasy, lyricism, heresy, the sardonic, and the controversial.

Booklist

"The Bible According to Mark Twain helps us in the process of rediscovering or reinventing Mark Twain by engaging our question about where this figure came from, what forces shaped him, what he means, and why he speaks to and for Americans especially.”--College Literature

"Baetzhold and McCullough have delivered a great boon to lovers of Mark Twain. In providing for both those Biblical writings which Twain considered publishable and those that then seemed too potentially offensive for publication, they have enabled us to gain a fuller comprehension of the very complex author. In providing the original form as well as revised versions of published material, they have enabled us to observe the artist at work and thus to gain a deeper insight into the nature of his art. And in making their explanatory materials so readable and readily accessible, they made the pursuit of Mark Twain studies thoroughly enjoyable."--Mark Twain Society

"A collection that offers readers a fascinating panoply of wit, satire, farce, fantasy, lyricism, heresy, the sardonic, and the controversial."--Booklist

"The present collection—spanning four decades (1871-1910)—is both a genuine service to Twain lovers and one showing Twain at his most charming and witty."--Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher