Shelved for 100 years
A century after his death, Mark Twain’s autobiography is finally being published by UC Berkeley, which released the first volume last month. Twain himself imposed the 100-year moratorium for reasons historians can only assume. Some suspect Twain anticipated a popular backlash against the liberal ideals he espouses in the memoirs; U.S. military adventurism in the Caribbean and Philippines concerned him, and he reviled white antagonism against blacks in the South. Other historians contend that Twain had the honor of his friends in mind when delaying publication; the memoirs contain cruel remarks about both friends and acquaintances. Whatever the reason for postponement, the autobiography will certainly provide valuable insight into one of America’s most treasured authors. The book will run $21.
