Life on the Mississippi facts for kids
Cover of the original U.S. edition, 1883
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| Author | Mark Twain |
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| Country | United States and England |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Biography |
| Publisher | James R. Osgood & Co., Boston (U.S. edition) Chatto & Windus, London (English edition) |
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Publication date
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1883 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 624 |
| Preceded by | The Prince and the Pauper |
| Followed by | Adventures of Huckleberry Finn |
Life on the Mississippi is a famous book written by Mark Twain in 1883. It tells the story of his time working as a steamboat pilot on the mighty Mississippi River. This was before the American Civil War began.
The book is also a travel book. It describes Twain's journeys on the Mississippi River. He traveled from St. Louis to New Orleans. Later, he went from New Orleans all the way to Saint Paul. These later trips happened many years after the war.
Contents
Exploring the Mississippi River
The book starts with a quick look at the river's history. It shares what Europeans and Americans learned about it. This history begins with the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1542.
Twain then shares fun stories about learning to be a steamboat pilot. He was an apprentice, called a 'cub,' to an experienced pilot named Horace E. Bixby. Twain writes with great fondness about the skill needed to navigate the changing Mississippi River. This part was first published in 1876 as "Old Times on the Mississippi."
Even though Twain was 21 when he started training, he pretends to be younger in the book. He calls himself a "fledgling" or a "boy." He says he "ran away from home" to find adventure on the river. He also makes himself seem a bit naive and inexperienced.
Twain's Later River Journeys
In the second half of the book, Twain describes a trip he took much later. He traveled by steamboat from St. Louis to New Orleans. Soon after, he took another steamboat journey. This one went from New Orleans to Saint Paul. He even stopped at his childhood home in Hannibal, Missouri.
Twain writes about how railroads were competing with steamboats. He also describes the new, large cities he saw. He shares his thoughts on things like greed and people being easily fooled. He also talks about sad events and even bad architecture. Some of the stories he tells are probably tall tales, which are exaggerated stories.
How the Book Was Published
Life on the Mississippi was published in 1883. It came out at the same time in the United States and Great Britain. This book was special because it was the first one given to a publisher as a typewritten manuscript. However, Twain himself did not use the typewriter. His secretary, Isabel V. Lyon, typed the book from Twain's handwritten notes.
Book Adaptations
The book has been turned into different shows.
- In 1980, it became a TV movie for American public television. David Knell played Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain's real name). Robert Lansing played Horace Bixby, the pilot who taught Twain. The movie used many of the tall tales from the book.
- In 2010, Life on the Mississippi was made into a stage musical. Douglas M. Parker wrote the story and songs. Denver Casado wrote the music. It was performed in Kansas City, Missouri, and Door County, Wisconsin.
- In 2013, a musical play by Philip Hall, also called Life on the Mississippi, was performed. This show took place at the Workshop Theater Company in New York. Susanna Frazer directed it.
See also
- George Washington Cable
- Lagniappe
- Joseph Alexander Mabry, Jr.
- Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site
- Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
- Mark Twain House
- Mud clerk
- Paddle steamer
- Pennsylvania steamboat
- Riverboat
- Steamboat
- Steamboats of the Mississippi
