Samuel Clemens, known to most as the popular author and humorist Mark Twain, was also an astute observer of American politics-he just believed that the stark truth about corruption in government would go down more smoothly with a dose of humor. Robed in a white suit, white cravat, and white shoes, crowned with unruly white hair and smoking an ever-present cigar, Mark Twain became America's first global celebrity.
Over 100 years later, Twain's insightful commentary retains an uncanny relevance to the challenges facing contemporary America. His views are as fresh and provocative as those of any contemporary cable TV "talking head," Sunday morning roundtable debater, political blogger, or radio talk show host. His aphorisms are cited to support almost any proposition- which are often inconsistent and contradictory positions. With a handy maxim for most any occasion, he is fondly quoted by Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street activists, union leaders, and liberal and conservative commentators. After all, Samuel L. Clemens was not a political scientist or philosopher who expounded a concrete, coherent theory of governance. He was an equal opportunity satirist, ridiculing the dogmas, shibboleths, and platitudes that characterize the conventional wisdom, regardless of ideological bearings.
Ambassador Donald Tiffany Bliss takes an in-depth look at the intricacies of Mark Twain's America in his new book , "MARK TWAIN'S TALE OF TODAY: Halley's Comet Returns-The Celebrated Author Critiques American Politics" (Sept 20, 2012). The great-grandson and grandson of Twain publishers, Ambassador Bliss combines his lifelong interest in Mark Twain with over thirty years of experience in the Nation's capitol-both serving in the federal government and as a partner of a major international law firm-to trace the evolution of Twain's political and policy views and illustrate their continuing relevance to contemporary American politics and foreign policy.
My Take on the Book
This was such an interesting book! It takes an in-depth look at a man that was so unique and such a larger than life character. I was so intrigued as I read further and further into this book and was amazed at how much information the book this book holds within its pages. This book will take you some time to get through as it is close to 500 pages. Within these pages though you will be amazed at such an inordinate amount of information that you never knew about Mark Twain. You get to see that Mark Twain was so much more than what you saw on the outside and you get to see how an apolitical man's thoughts could spur a political agenda. I have to say that I learned so much in this book and as I am still reading, I am still learning, and I know that you will as well. This book is well written and so full of facts and figures that you will be in awe at the detail of research that has gone into the writing of this book (I know that I was). All-in-all this was an amazing story that will make you think twice about what you thought you knew about Mark Twain!
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