3 Review(s)

Paine delves into Twain’s financial struggles during this time, particularly with his failed investment in the Paige typesetting machine and his eventual bankruptcy. Despite these setbacks, Twain’s wit and resilience are evident as he embarks on extensive lecture tours to recover financially. Paine also addresses Twain’s family life, touching on the challenges he faced with his wife Olivia's declining health and the loss of his beloved daughter Susy, which profoundly affected him.In this volume, Paine reveals Twain's evolving views on society, religion, and morality, which grew more skeptical and critical, especially toward institutional injustices. Volume II, Part 2: 1886-1900 captures Twain at a pivotal time, showing him not only as a literary giant but also as a deeply human figure shaped by both triumphs and hardships.