* Provides significant illustrations and photographs that bring Twain's world to life

* Supplies a timeline that puts events in Twain's life in context with the broader events of the 19th and early-20th centuries

* Offers dozens of brief sidebars with provocative and fun facts as well as primary source documents that help readers understand Twain and his world

* Includes a guide to related topics and full index as well as a list of selected reference books and online resources for further study