---
title: Mark Twain's Legendary Humor
description: Though none of Mark Twain's other novels approached the success of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, many of them still incorporate the characteristic humor and satire for which the author is known.
image: https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hubfs/MTwainAppletonsJournal4July74.jpg
---

us toll free:[1-800-948-5563](tel:18009485563)   international: [+1 (843) 849-0283](tel:+18438490283)   UK: [+44 (0) 1334 260018](tel:+4401334260018)

[Wish List](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/wish-list.php) | [My Account](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/myaccount.php) | [Shopping Cart](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/cart.php)

[![Books Tell You Why](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/file-24000257-png/images/logo.png "Books Tell You Why")](http://www.bookstellyouwhy.com)

![ilab](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-294270925.png) ![abaa](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-293390527.png)

- [Rare Books](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/rare-books) 
    - [Browse Rare Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/browse-rare-books.php)
    - [Search Rare Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php?search=rarebooks)
- [Signed Books](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/signed-books) 
    - [Browse Signed Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/browse-signed-books.php)
    - [Search Signed Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php?signed=on)
- [First Editions](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/first-editions) 
    - [Browse First Editions](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/browse-first-editions.php)
    - [Search First Editions](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php?firstEd=on)
- [Legendary Authors](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/legendary_authors.php) 
    - [Saul Bellow](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=976)
    - [Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1285)
    - [Charles Dickens](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=946)
    - [Umberto Eco](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=942)
    - [Ian Fleming](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=947)
    - [Gabriel García Márquez](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1320)
    - [Ernest Hemingway](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=948)
    - [Rudyard Kipling](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=936&action=browse)
    - [Doris Lessing](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1031)
    - [Arthur Miller](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=980)
    - [V.S Naipaul](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1042)
    - [Harold Pinter](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=1033)
    - [Philip Pullman](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=940)
    - [Philip Roth](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=959)
    - [John Steinbeck](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=945)
    - [J. R. R Tolkien](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=944)
    - [Mark Twain](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=943)
    - [John Updike](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=983)
    - [Elie Wiesel](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=984)
- [Gift Ideas](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/gift_ideas.php) 
    - [Business Partner](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=844)
    - [Christmas](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=941)
    - [Father's Day](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=837)
    - [Halloween](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=859)
    - [Mother's Day](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=848)
    - [Valentine's Day](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=975)
- [Book Search](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php)

# <https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com>[blogis librorum. A blog about books. Rare books.](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com)

[![Did you know? Check our Rare Books Page](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/4f5afc0e-4fe1-46f6-bebb-f93fe6f22263.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/4f5afc0e-4fe1-46f6-bebb-f93fe6f22263)

## [Mark Twain's Legendary Humor](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/mark-twains-legendary-humor)

By [Adrienne Rivera](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/author/adrienne-rivera).  Apr 12, 2018. 9:00 AM.

Topics: [Legendary Authors](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/legendary-authors), [Movie Tie-Ins](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/movie-tie-ins)

Samuel Clemens, better known as [Mark Twain](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/Browse%20Books%20by%20Mark%20Twain), is one of the most celebrated authors in all of American literature. Born in Florida, Missouri in 1835, Twain moved to Hannibal, the town that inspired the location for some of his most famous novels, when he was four years old. He began his career working as an apprentice printer before moving on to work as a typesetter. His brother Orion had recently purchased *The Hannibal Journal, *and Twain frequently contributed articles and sketches to the publication. He later went on to realize a lifelong ambition of working on steamboat, a vocation which provided him with his pen name. “Mark twain” means the depth of the river measures twelve feet, which meant the water was safe for the steamboat. Twain worked on steamboats until the Civil War, at which point he enrolled in the Confederate Army for a period of less than a month. After the war, he moved to Nevada to be with his brother who was working there as a secretary to the governor. Twain worked briefly as a silver miner, and this experience inspired him to write his first successfully published piece of fiction. Though Twain is best known for his novels *The Adventures of Tom Sawyer* and [*Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?orderBy=saleprice2&action=browse&cat_conj=or&category_id=943), his first short story “[The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?orderBy=saleprice2&action=browse&cat_conj=or&category_id=943)” is more representative of his great achievements as a humorist.

[![MTwainAppletonsJournal4July74.jpg](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MTwainAppletonsJournal4July74.jpg?width=304&height=407&name=MTwainAppletonsJournal4July74.jpg)](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?orderBy=saleprice2&action=browse&cat_conj=or&category_id=943)It was not long after the publication of this story that Twain traveled to Hawaii, then known as the Sandwich Islands, to work as a reporter for the Sacramento Union. His work mainly consisted of writing [travel letters](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=1057&action=browse&orderBy=relevance) which were very well-received by readers. The letters focused on humor as well as the Sandwich Islands and the success of these letters became the basis for his frequent lectures.

During the 1860s, lectures were an astoundingly popular form of entertainment, much like going to the cinema today. [Twain's lectures](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?orderBy=saleprice2&action=browse&cat_conj=or&category_id=943) offered humorous accounts of his trips to places like the Sandwich Islands, Paris, Egypt, and various locations along the Mediterranean. These lectures, beyond providing him with additional money to finance future travels, also brought more attention to his written works. This allowed for the publication of a collection of his travel articles on a trip to the Hold Land, *The Innocents Abroad*, as well as a semi-autobiographical account of his time spent in the west as a miner. This pseudo-memoir, *Roughing It*, is an example of the humor that eventually plays a large part in the majority of his work. *Roughing It *also served as a partial inspiration for the television series *Bonanza*.

Twain published his first novel in 1873. *The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today* was written with his friend and neighbor Charles Dudley Warner based on a challenge issued to them by their wives. While the use of humor and satire was praised in the novel, it was not considered successful due to its lack of cohesion, and understandable problem since it was written in separate chunks by the two writers. One reviewer compared it to a poorly mixed salad dressing. The novel satirizes society and government in the post-[Civil War](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=1028&action=browse&orderBy=relevance) era. Because of its topic, the novel has remained in print and is considered relevant today.

[![Adventures_of_Tom_Sawyer-pg145.png](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Adventures_of_Tom_Sawyer-pg145.png?width=259&name=Adventures_of_Tom_Sawyer-pg145.png)](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?orderBy=saleprice2&action=browse&cat_conj=or&category_id=943)Twain's next attempt at a novel was much more successful. And that is an understatement. Published in 1876, *The Adventures of Tom Sawyer* is one of the most critically and commercially successful works of children's literature in history. Praised for its [humor](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?category_id=1424&action=browse&orderBy=relevance) and depiction of life in Missouri along the Mississippi River, the novel is still in print today and has been adapted into television shows, films, stage plays, and even video games. The book also inspired a sequel which is even more revered than the original: [*Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?orderBy=saleprice2&action=browse&cat_conj=or&category_id=943).

[*Huckleberry Finn*](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?orderBy=saleprice2&action=browse&cat_conj=or&category_id=943) is considered the first Great American Novel and has been studied and banned in schools since its publication in 1885. Besides being considered incredibly vulgar at the time, the humor, one of the hallmarks of the novel, was said to be unsuitable for women and children. Still, Twain's impressive use of vernacular English and colloquialisms, humor, and harsh satire of racism ensured him a place among the greats of American literature.

Though none of Twain's novels approached the success of *The Adventures of Tom Sawyer* and [*Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/searchResults.php?orderBy=saleprice2&action=browse&cat_conj=or&category_id=943), many of them still incorporate the characteristic humor and satire for which the author is known. *A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court* takes an engineer and transplants him to Camelot, where he overthrows Merlin as Arthur's chief adviser and subsequently destroys everything with his attempts at modernization.

Mark Twain was widely respected during his lifetime for his poignant satire, [characteristic humor](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/lies-damned-lies-and-quotations-the-quotable-mark-twain), and much-loved characters. His work continues to be printed, read, studied and adapted today. His much-deserved place in the literary canon is cemented just as much by his work as a humorist as it is by the serious themes and issues in his novels.

[![Browse Books by Mark Twain](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/919718ba-8d3c-4893-8147-d69040184011.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/919718ba-8d3c-4893-8147-d69040184011)

![](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/185915_984681847993_998115258_n.jpg?width=80&name=185915_984681847993_998115258_n.jpg) 

[Adrienne Rivera](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/author/adrienne-rivera)

Adrienne Rivera received her MFA in fiction from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She currently lives in southern Indiana.

 

Please enable JavaScript to view the [comments powered by Disqus.](http://disqus.com/?ref_noscript) [comments powered by Disqus](http://disqus.com)

 

|  |
| --- |

This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached.

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

### About this blog

 How can I identify a first edition? Where do I learn about caring for books? How should I start collecting? Hear from librarians about amazing collections, learn about historic bindings or printing techniques, get to know other collectors. Whether you are just starting or looking for expert advice, chances are, you'll find something of interest on blogis librorum.

### Get blog notifications per email:

[![Download the James Bond Dossier ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/639676e5-ddf3-45f7-be51-d4bcbf6fa6b8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/639676e5-ddf3-45f7-be51-d4bcbf6fa6b8)

### Recent Posts

[![Book Glossary](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/edd00eb4-b601-4ee2-b639-b62ddf28ed93.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/edd00eb4-b601-4ee2-b639-b62ddf28ed93)

### Posts by Topic

- [American History (123)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/american-history)
- [American Literature (259)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/american-literature)
- [Art (11)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/art)
- [Awarded Books (118)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/awarded-books)
- [Baseball (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/baseball)
- [Biographies (47)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/biographies)
- [Bond Dossier (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/bond-dossier)
- [Book Care (34)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-care)
- [Book Collecting (419)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-collecting)
- [Book History (84)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-history)
- [Book Making (42)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-making)
- [Book News (85)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/book-news)
- [Books collecting (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/books-collecting)
- [Caldecott Medal (84)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/caldecott-medal)
- [Charles Dickens (19)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/charles-dickens)
- [Children's Books (282)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/childrens-books)
- [Christmas Books (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/christmas-books)
- [Civil War (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/civil-war)
- [Collecting guide (10)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/collecting-guide)
- [collectors (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/collectors)
- [Condition (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/condition)
- [Drama (41)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/drama)
- [Dust Jackets (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/dust-jackets)
- [Fine Press (54)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/fine-press)
- [First Editions (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/first-editions)
- [Fishing (12)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/fishing)
- [Food (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/food)
- [History (154)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/history)
- [Horror (43)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/horror)
- [illustrations (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/illustrations)
- [Interviews (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/interviews)
- [J. R. R. Tolkien (24)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/j-r-r-tolkien)
- [James Bond (62)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/james-bond)
- [Learn About Books (38)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/learn-about-books)
- [Legendary Authors (399)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/legendary-authors)
- [Legendary Illustrators (59)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/legendary-illustrators)
- [Libraries (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/libraries)
- [Libraries & Special Collections (73)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/libraries-special-collections)
- [Literary travel (86)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/literary-travel)
- [Literature (480)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/literature)
- [Magical Realism (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/magical-realism)
- [Mario Vargas Llosa (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/mario-vargas-llosa)
- [Mark Twain (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/mark-twain)
- [Modern First Editions (81)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/modern-first-editions)
- [Movie Tie-Ins (148)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/movie-tie-ins)
- [Music (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/music)
- [Mystery, Suspense & Crime (49)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/mystery-suspense-crime)
- [Newbery Award (39)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/newbery-award)
- [Nobel Prize Winners (197)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/nobel-prize-winners)
- [Poetry (149)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/poetry)
- [Pulitzer Prize (67)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/pulitzer-prize)
- [Quizzes (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/quizzes)
- [Rare Book Gift Ideas (48)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/rare-book-gift-ideas)
- [Rare Books (179)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/rare-books)
- [Science (37)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/science)
- [Science Fiction (51)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/science-fiction)
- [Thomas Harris (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/thomas-harris)
- [travel guides (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/travel-guides)
- [Umberto Eco (14)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/topic/umberto-eco)

[![Get your free Guide to Book Care ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/73b09407-0389-43d3-8221-0b8358f11602.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/73b09407-0389-43d3-8221-0b8358f11602)

### Blog Archive

- [July 2024 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/07)
- [June 2024 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/06)
- [May 2024 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/05)
- [April 2024 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/04)
- [March 2024 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/03)
- [February 2024 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/02)
- [January 2024 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2024/01)
- [December 2023 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/12)
- [November 2023 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/11)
- [October 2023 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/10)
- [September 2023 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/09)
- [August 2023 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/08)
- [July 2023 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/07)
- [June 2023 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/06)
- [May 2023 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/05)
- [April 2023 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/04)
- [March 2023 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/03)
- [February 2023 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/02)
- [January 2023 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2023/01)
- [December 2022 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/12)
- [November 2022 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/11)
- [September 2022 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/09)
- [June 2022 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/06)
- [March 2022 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/03)
- [February 2022 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/02)
- [January 2022 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2022/01)
- [October 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/10)
- [September 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/09)
- [July 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/07)
- [May 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/05)
- [April 2021 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/04)
- [March 2021 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/03)
- [February 2021 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/02)
- [January 2021 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2021/01)
- [December 2020 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/12)
- [November 2020 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/11)
- [October 2020 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/10)
- [September 2020 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/09)
- [August 2020 (10)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/08)
- [July 2020 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/07)
- [June 2020 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/06)
- [May 2020 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/05)
- [April 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/04)
- [March 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/03)
- [February 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/02)
- [January 2020 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2020/01)
- [December 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/12)
- [November 2019 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/11)
- [October 2019 (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/10)
- [September 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/09)
- [August 2019 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/08)
- [July 2019 (20)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/07)
- [June 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/06)
- [May 2019 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/05)
- [April 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/04)
- [March 2019 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/03)
- [February 2019 (14)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/02)
- [January 2019 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2019/01)
- [December 2018 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/12)
- [November 2018 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/11)
- [October 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/10)
- [September 2018 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/09)
- [August 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/08)
- [July 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/07)
- [June 2018 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/06)
- [May 2018 (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/05)
- [April 2018 (16)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/04)
- [March 2018 (17)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/03)
- [February 2018 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/02)
- [January 2018 (14)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2018/01)
- [December 2017 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/12)
- [November 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/11)
- [October 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/10)
- [September 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/09)
- [August 2017 (20)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/08)
- [July 2017 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/07)
- [June 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/06)
- [May 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/05)
- [April 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/04)
- [March 2017 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/03)
- [February 2017 (20)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/02)
- [January 2017 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2017/01)
- [December 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/12)
- [November 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/11)
- [October 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/10)
- [September 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/09)
- [August 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/08)
- [July 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/07)
- [June 2016 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/06)
- [May 2016 (23)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/05)
- [April 2016 (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/04)
- [March 2016 (32)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/03)
- [February 2016 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/02)
- [January 2016 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2016/01)
- [December 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/12)
- [November 2015 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/11)
- [October 2015 (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/10)
- [September 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/09)
- [August 2015 (31)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/08)
- [July 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/07)
- [June 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/06)
- [May 2015 (32)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/05)
- [April 2015 (30)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/04)
- [March 2015 (29)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/03)
- [February 2015 (25)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/02)
- [January 2015 (31)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2015/01)
- [December 2014 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/12)
- [November 2014 (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/11)
- [October 2014 (28)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/10)
- [September 2014 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/09)
- [August 2014 (25)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/08)
- [July 2014 (24)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/07)
- [June 2014 (27)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/06)
- [May 2014 (25)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/05)
- [April 2014 (21)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/04)
- [March 2014 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/03)
- [February 2014 (18)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/02)
- [January 2014 (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2014/01)
- [December 2013 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/12)
- [November 2013 (22)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/11)
- [October 2013 (26)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/10)
- [September 2013 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/09)
- [August 2013 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/08)
- [July 2013 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/07)
- [June 2013 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/06)
- [May 2013 (13)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/05)
- [April 2013 (10)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/04)
- [March 2013 (9)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/03)
- [February 2013 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/02)
- [January 2013 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2013/01)
- [December 2012 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/12)
- [November 2012 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/11)
- [October 2012 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/10)
- [September 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/09)
- [August 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/08)
- [July 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/07)
- [June 2012 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/06)
- [May 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/05)
- [April 2012 (7)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/04)
- [March 2012 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/03)
- [February 2012 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/02)
- [January 2012 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2012/01)
- [December 2011 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/12)
- [November 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/11)
- [October 2011 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/10)
- [August 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/08)
- [July 2011 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/07)
- [June 2011 (3)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/06)
- [May 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/05)
- [April 2011 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/04)
- [March 2011 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2011/03)
- [October 2010 (1)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/10)
- [September 2010 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/09)
- [June 2010 (4)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/06)
- [May 2010 (2)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/05)
- [April 2010 (6)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/04)
- [March 2010 (8)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/03)
- [February 2010 (5)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/02)
- [January 2010 (15)](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/archive/2010/01)

> see older posts

[![A Guide to Historic Libraries Part I](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237126/4a376006-1872-4939-a6e6-bf7cd379d53e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237126/4a376006-1872-4939-a6e6-bf7cd379d53e)

- [Rare Books](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/rare-books)
- [Signed Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/signed-books.php)
- [First Editions](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/first-edition-books.php)
- [New Arrivals](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/new-arrivals.php)
- [Featured Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/featured.php)
- [Key Categories](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/categories.php)
- [Advanced Search](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/advSearch.php)
- [Job Opportunities](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/job-opportunities)

- [Our Story](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/our_story.php)
- [Contact Us](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/contact.php)
- [Events](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/events.php)
- [Selling Books](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/selling_books.php)
- [Autographs & Signatures](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/autographs_signatures.php)
- [Collector's Resources](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/collector_resources.php)
- [Glossary](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/glossary.php)

- [Our Blog](https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com)
- [Shopping Cart](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/cart.php)
- [My Account](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/myaccount.php)
- [Create an Account](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/createAccount.php)
- [Store Policies](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/policies.php)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/privacy.php)
- [Loyalty and Rewards](https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/loyalty.php)
- [Scholarships](https://pages.bookstellyouwhy.com/rare-book-school-scholarship-information)

- Phone: [+1 (843) 849-0283](tel:+1%20(843)%20849-0283)
- [Books@BooksTellYouWhy.com](mailto:books@bookstellyouwhy.com)

- © 2008 -  Books Tell You Why, Inc. All rights reserved. | [Site by Bibliopolis](http://www.bibliopolis.com)
- [Content Marketing](https://aspiration.marketing/topics/content-marketing) by [Aspiration Marketing](http://www.aspiration.marketing)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Adrienne Rivera",
    "url" : "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/author/adrienne-rivera"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2018-04-12T13:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Mark Twain's Legendary Humor",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hubfs/MTwainAppletonsJournal4July74.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/mark-twains-legendary-humor",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/hs-fs/hub/237126/file-1623254079.jpg"
    },
    "name" : "Aspiration Marketing Canada, Inc."
  }
}
```