In the spring of 1884 Ulysses S. Grant heeded the advice of Mark
Twain and finally agreed to write his memoirs. Little did Grant or
Twain realize that this seemingly straightforward decision would
profoundly alter not only both their lives but the course of
American literature. Over the next fifteen months, as the two men
became close friends and intimate collaborators, Grant raced
against the spread of cancer to compose a triumphant account of his
life and times--while Twain struggled to complete and publish his
greatest novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.""In this deeply
moving and meticulously researched book, veteran writer Mark Perry
reconstructs the heady months when Grant and Twain inspired and
cajoled each other to create two quintessentially American
masterpieces.
In a bold and colorful narrative, Perry recounts the early careers
of these two giants, traces their quest for fame and elusive
fortunes, and then follows the series of events that brought them
together as friends. The reason Grant let Twain talk him into
writing his memoirs was simple: He was bankrupt and needed the
money. Twain promised Grant princely returns in exchange for the
right to edit and publish the book--and though the writer's own
finances were tottering, he kept his word to the general and his
family.
Mortally ill and battling debts, magazine editors, and a constant
crush of reporters, Grant fought bravely to get the story of his
life and his Civil War victories down on paper. Twain, meanwhile,
staked all his hopes, both financial and literary, on the tale of a
ragged boy and a runaway slave that he had been unable to finish
for decades. As Perry delves into the story of the men's deepening
friendship and mutual influence, he arrives at the startling
discovery of the true model for the character of Huckleberry Finn.
With a cast of fascinating characters, including General William T.
Sherman, William Dean Howells, William Henry Vanderbilt, and
Abraham Lincoln, Perry's narrative takes in the whole sweep of a
glittering, unscrupulous age. A story of friendship and history,
inspiration and desperation, genius and ruin, Grant and Twain
captures a pivotal moment in the lives of two towering Americans
and the age they epitomized.
"From the Hardcover edition."
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
