085580
New York
1956
10,5×18
meki
312
engleski
Cijena: 8,00 EUR
Life on the Mississippi is a non-fiction work by Mark Twain, published in 1883, that blends memoir, travel writing, and social commentary on the Mississippi River during the steamboat era. It provides a vivid portrait of a unique, and rapidly changing, period in American history. The book is structured into two main parts: 1. Apprenticeship (Pre-Civil War): This section recounts Twain's (Samuel Clemens's) experiences as a "cub" or apprentice steamboat pilot under seasoned mentors like Horace Bixby. He details the rigorous and dangerous process of learning to navigate the ever-shifting river, which required memorizing every landmark and current. These chapters are rich with anecdotes, character sketches, and a sense of wonder, offering a detailed look at the bustling, competitive world of steamboats before the Civil War.; 2. Return Journey (Post-Civil War): Written many years later, this part describes Twain's return to the river as a passenger and writer. This section is a travelogue of his journey from St. Louis to New Orleans, and then to St. Paul, Minnesota. He observes the significant changes brought by modernization, such as the rise of railroads and large cities, and offers witty commentary on everything from local customs to architecture. This part of the book is often more melancholy and reflective, lamenting the loss of the romanticized steamboat era.
