History

Mark Twain

In his time, Mark Twain was considered the funniest man on earth. Yet he was also an unflinching critic of human nature, using his humor to attack hypocrisy, greed and racism. In this series, Ken Burns has created an illuminating portrait of the man who is also one of the greatest writers in American history.

Episode Two

1h 42m

The conclusion of the story of America's best-loved and best-known author, Mark Twain.

Episodes

  • Episode Two: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode Two

    S1 E2 - 1h 42m

    The conclusion of the story of America's best-loved and best-known author, Mark Twain.

  • Episode One: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode One

    S1 E1 - 1h 50m

    Mark Twain tells the story of the writer’s extraordinary life.

Extras + Features

  • Huckleberry Finn: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Huckleberry Finn

    S1 - 1m 21s

    Huckleberry Finn is one of Mark Twain's most beloved characters, and the book Mark Twain's masterpiece. It was told from the southern perspective, and Twain takes romanticism away from slavery.

  • The Mississippi River: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Mississippi River

    S1 - 18s

    The Mississippi River was a sacred place for Twain. He said every character he came up with he met on the Mississippi.

  • Triumph Through Tragedy: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Triumph Through Tragedy

    S1 - 37s

    Twain was a passionate man and when he might want to give up he rallies through his personal tragedies and continues to go on.

  • Hartford House: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hartford House

    S1 - 47s

    Twain wanted to be rustic and a rebel, but he also wanted to be wealthy and successful. His Hartford House was incredibly luxurious.

  • American Speech: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    American Speech

    S1 - 24s

    Twain made American speech something to be admired. He used the way we talk and turned it into literature.

  • Inclusion: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Inclusion

    S1 - 33s

    Arthur Miller talks about how Twain always included himself in all his human ridicule.

  • The Master of the Pause: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Master of the Pause

    S1 - 1m 11s

    Twain was a genius of the stage, where he use silence to his advantage. The pauses were the preludes to the cascade of humor.

  • Sage: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Sage

    S1 - 43s

    Twain was the sage of the country, everyone wanted a quote from him.

  • Problem of Race: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Problem of Race

    S1 - 27s

    Twain knew if America was going to be a great nation, the problem of race had to be talked about and brought to light.

  • Aren't we Funny Animals?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Aren't we Funny Animals?

    S1 - 59s

    Hal Holbrook discusses how Twain's writing makes him feel, and the empathy of Twain's writing.

  • Innocents Abroad: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Innocents Abroad

    S1 - 1m 4s

    Innocents Abroad was a subscription book. It made Mark Twain the best-selling author in the world.

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