One thing that surprised me was Twain's wanderlust. He simply did not seem to have the capacity to stay in one place for long. He traveled the world when it could not have been convenient or easy to do. It is amazing to see how tragedy followed him and his family.
Anyone wondering how Twain came upon his name, well it is an interesting story. Twain decided to earn a pilot's certificate so he could earn more money by piloting steamboats down the Mississippi River. Leadsmen called out to the pilot various words related to the depths of the river. 'Mark Twain' is steamboat speak and means 'a safe depth.' Actually, readers should be happy Samuel Clemens chose that name because the two pseudonyms he used before deciding on the Mark Twain name were: W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab and Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass. Mark Twain was definitely an improvement.
Twain might have happily spent the rest of his life as a steamboat captain but for the American Civil War. It ended commercial traffic on the Mississippi for the duration of the war. He did earn his pilot's certificate in 1859.
After reading this short version of Mark Twain's life, I've decided to go back and read something of his. I've never been fond of Mark Twain's writing. Maybe I've missed out on something.
Anyone wondering how Twain came upon his name, well it is an interesting story. Twain decided to earn a pilot's certificate so he could earn more money by piloting steamboats down the Mississippi River. Leadsmen called out to the pilot various words related to the depths of the river. 'Mark Twain' is steamboat speak and means 'a safe depth.' Actually, readers should be happy Samuel Clemens chose that name because the two pseudonyms he used before deciding on the Mark Twain name were: W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab and Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass. Mark Twain was definitely an improvement.
Twain might have happily spent the rest of his life as a steamboat captain but for the American Civil War. It ended commercial traffic on the Mississippi for the duration of the war. He did earn his pilot's certificate in 1859.
After reading this short version of Mark Twain's life, I've decided to go back and read something of his. I've never been fond of Mark Twain's writing. Maybe I've missed out on something.
