For what scandalous reason was the original publication of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn delayed? What were the names of Samuel Clemens pets? How are his attitudes towards politics and religion revealed in his work? Find the answers to these questions and many more in The Oxford Companion to Mark Twain, which encapsulates the most important scholarship on Twains life, his works, and his times.
Organized in an A-Z format, the volume contains entries on all of his works, people and places related to his biography, and analyses of Twains takes on a variety of topics, from confidence games to slavery. It also features five essays by major Mark Twain scholars on important aspects of his life and work, and interspersed throughout are essays on selected Twain classics by such literary luminaries as Arthur Miller, Frederick Pohl, and Nat Hentoff.
Featuring an extensive bibliography, a comprehensive index, a chronology of Twains works, and over forty illustrations, The Oxford Companion to Mark Twain is the most authoritative and complete reference work available and is perfect for student and fan alike.

Gregg Camfield , Professor of English, University of the Pacific, United States

Gregg Camfield is a Professor of English at the University of the Pacific. He is the author of Sentimental Twain.

"As with all worthwhile reference works, readers who come to track down an answer will stay to browse--and browse and browse some more....To read it cover to cover is to be brought up-to-date on Mark twain scholarship as it embarks on the 21st century."--Library Journal "This book does what Oxford does best: Put a life or a subject into one book, make it as complete as possible and let the browsers of the world delight in it."--Kansas City Star "A must for even casual admirers of Twain."--Columbia State

"Provides everything you ever wanted to know about this most important American writer."--Spokane Spokesman-Review