What I lacked and what I needed,"" confessed Samuel Clemens in 1908, "was grandchildren." Near the end of his life, Clemens became the doting friend and correspondent of twelve schoolgirls ranging in age from ten to sixteen. For Clemens, "collecting" these surrogate granddaughters was a way of overcoming his loneliness, a respite from the pessimism, illness, and depression that dominated his later years. In Mark Twain's Aquarium, John Cooley brings together virtually every known communication exchanged between the writer and the girls he called his "angelfish." Cooley also includes a number of Clemens's notebook entries, autobiographical dictations, short manuscripts, and other relevant materials that further illuminate this fascinating story. Clemens relished the attention of these girls, orchestrating chaperoned visits to his homes and creating an elaborate set of rules and emblems for the Aquarium Club. He hung their portraits in his billiard room and invented games and plays for their amusement. For much of 1908, he was sending and receiving a letter a week from his angelfish. Cooley argues that Clemens saw cheerfulness and laughter as his only defenses against the despair of his late years. His enchantment with children, years before, had given birth to such characters as Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher, and Huck Finn. In the frivolities of the Aquarium Club, it found its final expression. Cooley finds no evidence of impropriety in Clemens behavior with the girls. Perhaps his greatest crime, the editor suggests, was in idealizing them, in regarding them as precious collectibles. "He tried to trap them in the amber of endless adolescence," Cooley writes. ""By pleading that they stay young and innocent, he was perhaps attempting to deny that, as they and the world continued to change, so must he.

"H.L. Mencken wrote of Mark Twain, 'I believe that he was the true father of our national literature, the first genuinely American artist of the blood royal.' Father, Mark Twain is. And brother, friend, and wise old grandpa. But no offense to Mr. Mencken: Sam'l Clemens is American and there ain't no royalty around here 'ceptin maybe the Duke or some one like that. Unless it's the "Prince and the Pauper" or King Arthur in "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court."

"Hank the Yankee asks, 'You know about transmigration of souls; do you know about transposition of epochs -- and bodies?'

"'Wit ye well, "I saw it done.'" Then, after a pause, added: 'I did it myself.'

"Just like Mark Twain -- Samuel Langhorne Clemens."

-- From Amy Sterling Casil's Introduction

"I like "Joan of Arc" best of all my books; and it is the best; I know it perfectly well. And besides, it furnished me seven times the pleasure afforded me by any of the others; twelve years of preparation, and two years of writing. The others need no preparation and got none." -- Mark Twain

Twain considered this book -- his last finished novel -- to be his most significant. Perhaps it is; certainly it's delightful -- but then, in retrospect, everything Twain did is good cause for delight.

"It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense." - Mark Twain Within your hands is a glimpse into the life, mind, soul, and "truth" of cherished American icon, Mark Twain. This uncensored autobiography is not only a legacy he left behind, but also a gift to all.
Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835 in Florida, Missouri. He grew up on the shores of the Mississippi River and took his pen name from the way Mississippi steamboat crews measured the river's depth (the cry "Mark twain " meant the river was at least 12 feet deep and safe to travel).
Twain wrote prolifically, publishing novels, travelogues, newspaper articles, short stories, and political pamphlets. His best-known works are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885).
On the surface, these novels are gripping adventure stories of boys running free on the Mississippi. However, on a deeper level, these novels are also serious works of social criticism. Written while America was still recovering from the Civil War and adjusting to the abolition of slavery, Twain's two best-known Mississippi River adventure tales also measure the depth of America's new economic and social realities.
His most personal and insightful writing came when he created his, "Final (and Right) Plan"-a free-flowing biography of the thoughts and interests he had toward the end of his life as he spoke his "whole frank mind." Along with the plan, came the instruction that the enclosed autobiography writings not be published in book form until 100 years after his death.
Today, we honor the life and writings of Mark Twain by publishing his personal opus-to reacquaint ourselves with the wit, wisdom, and ideals of this legendary American icon.

Mark Twain here collaborates with Charles Dudley Warner in a novel which gave its name to the era in which it was written. Here is a definitive dissection of the pretenses of the high Victorian era, its corruption, hypocrisy, and, in Twain's eye, comic absurdities.

Shortly after his inglorious "military career" in a Confederate militia, as related in "A Private History of a Campaign That Failed," Mark Twain "lit out for the Territories" when his brother was appointed secretary to the governor of Nevada. The result was one of the greatest books in the literature of the American West, full of first-hand accounts of cowboys, miners, roughnecks, and assorted colorful characters as only Mark Twain could describe them.

Shortly after his inglorious "military career" in a Confederate militia, as related in "A Private History of a Campaign That Failed," Mark Twain "lit out for the Territories" when his brother was appointed secretary to the governor of Nevada. The result was one of the greatest books in the literature of the American West, full of first-hand accounts of cowboys, miners, roughnecks, and assorted colorful characters as only Mark Twain could describe them.

Mark Twain here collaborates with Charles Dudley Warner in a novel which gave its name to the era in which it was written. Here is a definitive dissection of the pretenses of the high Victorian era, its corruption, hypocrisy, and, in Twain's eye, comic absurdities.

This fictionalized "biography" told by an intimate companion of Joan of Arc was thought by Mark Twain to be his finest work. It was hugely popular in its time, and while the tastes of subsequent generations may have elevated HUCKLEBERRY FINN and THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER to a higher level, JOAN OF ARC still remains one of Twain's most colorful and passionately-imagined books.

This fictionalized "biography" told by an intimate companion of Joan of Arc was thought by Mark Twain to be his finest work. It was hugely popular in its time, and while the tastes of subsequent generations may have elevated HUCKLEBERRY FINN and THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER to a higher level, JOAN OF ARC still remains one of Twain's most colorful and passionately-imagined books.

In which America's greatest writer accompanies a boatload of often ridiculous, provincial pilgrims on The Tour of Europe and the Holy Land, as pretensions are punctured, much supposedly taken for granted is viewed with a jaundiced eye, and what could be a mere travel book rises to the level of great literature: a microcosm of the entire human comedy.

In which America's greatest writer accompanies a boatload of often ridiculous, provincial pilgrims on The Tour of Europe and the Holy Land, as pretensions are punctured, much supposedly taken for granted is viewed with a jaundiced eye, and what could be a mere travel book rises to the level of great literature: a microcosm of the entire human comedy.

The title novella in this sparkling collection is one of Twain's most deadly satires, about civic vice disguised as virtue and its devasting consequences. Any volume of Twain's shorter pieces makes excellent reading. Here was a writer who could make any conceivable subject entertaining and often profound. Also included are "My Debut as a Literary Person," "The Esquimau Maiden's Romance," "A Double-Barreled Detective Story," a notable SHERLOCK HOLMES parody, and many more.

One of the finest of Twain's travel books, detailing (often hilariously) his adventures in Europe, as a Yankee confronting the Old World. France, Germany, and Switzerland will never quite seem the same again. A fascinating glimpse of far times and places, seen through the eye of America's best writer.

One of the finest of Twain's travel books, detailing (often hilariously) his adventures in Europe, as a Yankee confronting the Old World. France, Germany, and Switzerland will never quite seem the same again. A fascinating glimpse of far times and places, seen through the eye of America's best writer.

This novel of Mark Twain's -- "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" -- gives us an odd view of the American literary genius: it shows is bent twoward science ficional. Twain developed a close and lasting friendship with scientific wunderkind Nikola Tesla, and the two spent quite a bit of time together (in Tesla's laboratory, among other places). Twain's fascination appears in his time traveler (from contemporary America, yet ), using his knowledge of science to introduce modern technology to Arthurian England. As with all works of a master lke Tawain, we highly recommend this novel -- but just between us, this book is a lot of fun, too. Go ahead, read it now.

"This book is merely a personal narrative, and not a pretentious history or a philosophical dissertation. It is a record of several years of variegated vagabondizing, and its object is rather to help the resting reader while away an idle hour than afflict him with metaphysics, or goad him with science. Still, there is information in the volume . . ." Thus begins Mark Twain's Prefatory to "Roughing It." The book is a humorous account of Twain's six years spent in Nevada, San Francisco and the Sandwich Islands (as Hawaii was known at the time) and is comprised of various anecdotes and tall tales, told as only Mark Twain can tell them.

Twain's story has been adapted and, er, borrowed from so often and so freely that you're probably familiar with it even if you've never read of it: a prince of sixteenth-century England meets his double in the slums of London. The two swap clothes -- and lives. Complications ensue. Tom Canty, the urchin, learns how luxury and power can become the death of a man, while his doppleganger roams his kingdom, learning first hand of the cruelty of the Tudor monarchy. . . .

"Twain was . . . enough of a genius to build his morality into his books, with humor and wit and -- in the case of "The Prince and the Pauper" -- wonderful plotting."

-- E.L. Doctorow

This is the book that everyone knew, in Mark Twain's time, that he had to write. It is the story of his youth on the Mississippi and his career as a riverboat pilot before the Civil War, which contains not only some of his very best writing, but remains our most vivid picture of this colorful era in American history. It might be fairly said that LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI is to steamboat life what MOBY DICK is to whaling, only without need for a plot, at least not one invented by the author. This is a book taken from life, which transfers life onto the printed page as well as anything in American literature.

Harry and Naomi are back in the TARDIS, travelling with a very different Doctor to the one they first met – and he has promised to get them home… The TARDIS takes them to Earth, but to a dangerous era decades before their own. And when they visit the aftermath of a distant supernova, Harry is keener than ever to return to home comforts. But Naomi isn’t so certain… Contains two new adventures: Operation Dusk by Alfie Shaw (three parts). London during the Blitz, a city covered in darkness. It keeps everyone safe - until the darkness gets hungry. As the questions and victims mount up, the Doctor, Harry and Naomi are called in to investigate. Why have the Vashta Nerada on Earth started eating people? And, perhaps more importantly, why didn’t they eat the cat? Naomi’s Ark by Alison Winter (three parts). Caught up in a galactic evacuation triggered by a supernova, Naomi is separated from her friends, in the company of some very unusual aliens. The Doctor and Harry are stranded too – and any attempt to reach Naomi is at the expense of a precious, endangered civilisation – one that rivals the Time Lords for longevity and wisdom… How far will the Doctor go for his friends? CAST: Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Christopher Naylor (Harry Sullivan), Eleanor Crooks (Naomi Cross), Bridgitta Roy (Doctor Thorne / Opis PA), Nicholas Rowe (Sebastian Hardcastle), Emily Raymond (Marion Johnstone), Pepter Lunkuse (Georgina Stevens / Harriet Thompson), Leon Parris (Nathaniel Woodcote / Wallam), Indra Ové (Queen Maylee), Bethany Antonia (Captain Rocky), Nino Furuhata (Engineer Fixer). Other parts played by members of the cast.

A space station orbiting Earth has lain dormant for 8,476 years. Its systems are clogged with dust, so the human crew kept frozen in cryogenic storage have never woken up. When the Doctor, Sarah and Harry arrive to resuscitate the sleepers, they discover something else on board. A small, golf-ball like object gives Harry an electric shock, and has a more sinister impact on the awakening crew. Soon, the Doctor and his friends are battling to save the space station - and Earth - from a ravenous puffball! CAST: Tom Baker (The Doctor), Sadie Miller (Sarah Jane Smith), Christopher Naylor (Harry Sullivan), Yasmin Mwanza (Viva) Lara Lemon (Den), Terry Molloy (Narib / Noah), Nicholas Khan (Vez / Kol), Cameron Johnson (Mek). Other parts played by members of the cast

In a paved garden outside time, the Doctor is presented with an awful prophecy: the conquest of all time by the Daleks. To prevent this terrible fate, the Time Lords have decided on a radical course — to weaponise time themselves, and destroy the Daleks before they were ever created. And they want the Doctor to carry out this extraordinary task! Soon, he and his companions Sarah and Harry are on the battle-ravaged planet Skaro, where a war has been raging for centuries. The war is now waged by teenagers using the last surviving weapons. Everything is desperate. But the Kaled’s chief scientist has a new weapon that he thinks might just change everything… This is the original version of what became Genesis of the Daleks - the TV classic voted best story of all time by readers of Doctor Who Magazine. CAST: Tom Baker (The Doctor), Sadie Miller (Sarah Jane Smith), Christopher Naylor (Harry Sullivan), Peter Bankolé (Time Lord / General Grainer), Samuel Clemens (Nyder), James Phoon (Kaled Boy / Operator), Alasdair Hankinson (Ravon / Kaled Leader), Terry Molloy (Davros). Narrated by Nicholas Briggs Other parts played by members of the cast.

It's the largest depository of alien artefacts ever assembled, ready to wage war against the heavens. Of course, they called it the Antebellum. Of course, they forgot about it. But the Dow Cohort have rediscovered it. And tonight, they're breaking in. They have one hour and Toshiko Sato as a reluctant hostage. Can they steal Torchwood's greatest secret? NOTE: Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners. CAST: Naoko Mori (Toshiko Sato), Tom Butcher (Vernon), Samuel Clemens (Guard), Bahvini Sheth (Nisha), Homer Todiwala (Ed). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Return to 1960's Britain for more espionage with John Steed and Tara King! Contains three more thrilling episodes; 7.1 The Fabulous Sky Beam Dilemma by Nigel Fairs. Tara gets the cream and Steed has it licked. A visiting royal finds themselves caught up in a bizarre assassination plot where finding the method will be Steed and Tara’s greatest challenge. 7.2 A Tale in Tartan by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky. Tara captures the castle and Steed crosses the border. A kidnapping leads Tara into Scotland where she finds herself with a suspiciously familiar sidekick… 7.3 This Train Terminates Here by John Dorney. Tara steams ahead and Steed goes off the rails. A series of railway-based crimes are occurring across the country and it would appear to be the work of a sinister station-master… Cast: Julian Wadham (John Steed), Emily Woodward (Tara King), Christopher Benjamin (Mother), Janet Amsden (Betty Grudge), Kenny Blyth (Professor Braithwaite / Reverent Utterson), Amerjit Deu (Said Ghabul / Cruikshank) Abi Harris (Bonnie Braithwaite / Clarrisa Kincaid), Harry Hart (Freddie / Terry), Damian Lynch (Colin Collins / Cyril / Railwayman), Paul O’Grady (Septimus Crump), Bridgitta Roy (Miss Sprogg), Andrew Spooner (Rupert). Other parts played by members of the cast.

The human race is under threat. The public has no idea. But alien ships are already attacking. And aliens are already here. 1.1 Destruct Positive! Ed Straker is a test pilot in the US Air Force. Then, one day, his aircraft is attacked by a UFO. His life will never be the same again… 1.2 Things We Lost in the Darkness. SHADO training is underway. But an exercise turns into the real thing as the aliens bring terror to the quiet of the sleepy, English countryside. 1.3 Full Fathom Five. Skydiver is SHADO’s new, formidable frontline defence against alien attack. Stepping aboard, Ed Straker is on a mission to find out if the right people are in charge. Because when things go badly wrong, they are the ones whose lives are on the line. Based on the original TV series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Cast: Barnaby Kay (Commander Ed Straker), Jeany Spark (Lieutenant-Colonel Virginia Lake), Samuel Clemens (Colonel Alec Freeman), Victor Alli (Lieutenant Commander Lew Waterman), Nicholas Briggs (Doctor Schroeder), Charlotte Harris (Mary Straker), Jasmin Hinds (Beth), Lynsey Murrell (Lieutenant Gay Ellis), Yasmin Mwanza (Captain Petra Carlin), Harry Myers (General James Henderson), George Naylor (Johnnie Straker/Lieutenant Bentley), Sam Stafford (Karl), Phillipe Bosher (Adjutant/Redneck).Other parts played by members of the cast.