"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 Along with the plan, came the instruction that the enclosed autobiography writings not be published in book form until 100 years after his death.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.

"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

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.

"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.

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.

"Most people easily picture Twain's long white handlebar moustache and can practically hear his riverman's drawl. Readers know he's Samuel Langhorne Clemens, and he's Mark Twain, and they've painted fences right alongside Tom Sawyer. Any number of young men have had crushes on Becky Thatcher, and any number of young women have laughed at Huck Finn's way of threading a needle. But none of Twain's eleven novels, nine travel books, and countless short stories and essays would have achieved their status had he not first paid attention himself: to everyone and everything that lived in his world."

-- from Amy Sterling Casil's Introduction

"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

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.

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.

The Seventh Doctor and Mel encounter old foes at the edge of the galaxy - where tinsel proves to be a dangerous commodity - before heading to a familiar planet going through turbulent times - and meeting another old acquaintance. Bad Day in Tinseltown by Dan Starkey. The Doctor and Mel drop in on the frontier town of Brightedge - dubbed 'Tinseltown' after the curious by-products from its depleted mine. The Mayor thinks the future lies in entertainment, but as the locals start behaving oddly, a hidden force of Cybermen has other plans... The Ribos Inheritance by Jonathan Barnes. The Doctor and Mel arrive expecting Suntime on Ribos, but find a world still shrouded in snow and ice - but it's not just the climate that's gone awry... As forces plot against the young King, a soothsayer predicts doom. And out in the wilds, the Doctor finds wily conman Garron caught up in events on Ribos once again. CAST: Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Bonnie Langford (Melanie Bush), Paul Bazely (The Duke of Hishtar), Nicholas Briggs (Nelson/Cybermen/Big Gerald), Jasmin Hinds (Mitzi Cinque), David Rintoul (Garron), Vivienne Rochester (Sandarr), Jeany Spark (Carol Protraxus/General Polly Juno), Dan Starkey (Mungo), Homer Todiwala (King Kari), Issy Van Randwyck (The Seeker/Baladin Smith). 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.

This release sees the return of the popular Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and companion Ace (Sophie Aldred) plus the return of Big Finish originated companion Hex (Philip Oliver). Contains two new adventures - The Flying Dutchman by Gemma Arrowsmith. The Doctor, Ace and Hex find themselves on a seemingly deserted boat in the middle of the ocean. Eventually locating the crew, they discover that the men have been in hiding to avoid the attack of the legendary ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman, that they’ve recently glimpsed approaching through the fog. But ghosts don’t exist. Do they? Displaced by Katharine Armitage. The Doctor, Ace and Hex arrive inside a mystery. An ordinary house where something extraordinary is happening. There are no occupants, the doors are sealed, and someone – or something – is attempted to communicate. And when the TARDIS locks them out, Ace and Hex suspect the Doctor of his usual tricks. CAST: Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Sophie Aldred (Ace), Philip Olivier (Hex), Nicholas Khan (Alexander Marfleet), Stephen Wight (Unsworth), Nigel Fairs (Curtis/Crewman), Carly Day (Archie/Anna), Patience Tomlinson (Harri/Penny Tungate/The Matriarch), Alexander Bean (The Kraw/George). 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

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.

When a junkmail robot invades the TARDIS, the Doctor gets led down an unnervingly familiar path. Meanwhile, space beatniks Kingpin and Juniper Berry just want to hitch rides and busk - until a greater purpose calls. The Doctor's past and Kingpin's future are entangled by malevolent forces. The Psychic Circus is just beginning: it may bring back clowns, but it already has a Master....

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.

This is the third of three new Main Range adventures which reunite the Seventh Doctor and his friend, Mags, the punk werewolf circus performer first seen in 1988's Doctor Who television story The Greatest Show in the Galaxy. In this adventure, a space-time summons brings the TARDIS to the strangest place Mags has yet visited. A space-time summons brings the TARDIS to the strangest place Mags has yet visited. A haven for the freakiest freaks and the weirdest weirdoes: Camden Lock, London, in the early 1990s. But there's a reason why former TARDIS traveller Ace has brought the old gang back together. She's on a mission to rescue an alien being, held prisoner in a massive mansion. A mission that can't possibly go wrong. Can it? CAST: Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Jessica Martin (Mags / Eater-Mags), Sophie Aldred (Ace), Jacob Collins Levy (Rufus / Voice of Head Office), Lara Lemon (Rohesia / Jinty), Gideon Turner (Raymond / Greg), Shiloh Coke (Janet / Sin Eater), Rex Duis (Vinewood / Lex). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Gallifrey's moral compass is lost, Rassilon rules, and Romana is gone. But it's not the end, it's just the beginning... Gallifrey is at war. At the heart of the Capitol, the War Room co-ordinates the fight against the Daleks. Leela has been forced into service, alongside the General and his soldiers, taking orders from Cardinals Rasmus and Ollistra. But this being Gallifrey, politics are never forgotten. Some serve Rassilon, some serve themselves, and some have their own cause. The Time War will test them all. CAST: Louise Jameson (Leela), Peter Bankolé (Sorn), Zora Bishop (Ephra), Ken Bones (The General), Richard Armitage (Rassilon), Peter Bankolé (Sorn), Zora Bishop (Ephra), Nicholas Briggs (the Daleks), Daon Broni (Argatro), Seán Carlsen (Narvin), Beth Chalmers (Veklin), Samuel Clemens (The Sentient Storm), Charlotte Harris (Guard/Archivist/Phaedra), Chris Jarman (Rasmus), Lara Lemon (Junior Warpwright), Hywel Morgan (Commander Daari), LJ Parkinson (Neander), Carolyn Pickles (Ollistra), Nicholas Rowe (Cato Kelgoth), Rish Shah (Bandar), Corrinne Wicks (Vibax/Gilla), Eve Winters (Porto/Bellaris). Other parts played by members of the cast.

The people of Gokroth live in fear of the monsters in the forest. Creatures with scales and fur, teeth and claws. But worse than these, perhaps, is the strange doctor who does unspeakable, unholy work in the high castle on the mountain. A doctor who's about to receive a visit from an off-worlder. Mags, formerly of the Psychic Circus. A native of the planet Vulpana... with a monstrous secret of her own. CAST: Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Jessica Martin (Mags), Victoria Yeates (Dr Maleeva), Jeremy Hitchen (Varron), Abi Harris (Trella / Lizard-Monster), Dominic Vulliamy (Wilric), Andrew Fettes (Gor / Bear-Monster / Porrow). Other parts played by members of the cast.

"Twain wrote that Huck was based on Tom Blankenship, a poor white boy he knew in Hannibal, MO. But Shelley Fishkin found an 1874 article where Twain spoke of another boy, ten-year old black servant Jerry. Jerry was "the most artless, sociable and exhaustless talker I ever came across," Twain said. He added, "He did not tell me a single remarkable thing, or one that was worth remembering. And yet he was himself so interested in his small marvels, and they flowed so naturally and comfortably from his lips that . . . I listened as one who receives a revelation."

"It doesn't really matter whether or not Huck was black. Jim, Huck Finn's friend, was certainly black, and he is one of the most memorable characters in literature. Jim was sometimes referred to as "nigger Jim." Jim has a minstrel quality, but it's hard not to see the irony in his behavior, especially not when he lectures Huck on behaving like white trash. Mark Twain's writing and characters have influenced countless American writers. And no matter how many book-banning campaigns are launched due to the presence of the word "nigger" in Twain's books, particularly "Huckleberry Finn, " authors as diverse as Toni Morrison, Ralph Ellison, Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner have cited Twain as influences."

-- from Amy Sterling Casil's Introduction

This release sees the return of two popular returning characters and guest stars: Ian McNeice (Edge of Darkness, Dune, Doc Martin) as Winston Churchill, and Rufus Hound as The Meddling Monk. London, 1945. Winston Churchill campaigns for re-election. His new strategic adviser assures him that Britain has a bright future under his continued leadership. It’s a vote he can’t possibly lose. But the Doctor knows that he must. The Monk is meddling, altering history for his own selfish ends. With spies and aliens in the mix, Winston realises victory may not be so simple. But at least he can trust his old friend… can’t he? Cast: Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Ian McNeice (Winston Churchill), Rufus Hound (The Meddling Monk), Jonathan Forbes (Policeman/Mugger/Broadcaster/System), James Joyce (Secretary 2/Landlord/Borstal Boy/Driver), Philip Labey (Edward Dowan), Mimi Ndiweni (Alicia Dowan). Other parts played by members of the cast.

The Doctor has returned Mags, formerly of the Psychic Circus, to her native world: Vulpana. Not the savage Vulpana that Mags was taken from, but Vulpana in an earlier era. The Golden Millennium - when the Four Great Wolf Packs, each devoted to one of the planet's four moons, oversaw the height of Vulpanan civilisation. A time when the noblest families of the Vulpanan aristocracy found themselves in need of new blood...A golden age, that's about to come to a violent end! CAST: Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Jessica Martin (Mags), Nimmy Marsh (Ulla), Peter Bankole (Issak), Irfan Shamji (Jaks), Sean Knopp (Tob), Beth Goddard (Barton).