'Mark Twain in Context is a treasure trove of information … It is an ideal collection for undergraduates and readers new to Twain, but those with more experience are also likely to find it of much use … all the chapters are excellent, well-researched introductions to the various ways Twain was a man of his time and remains relevant in the present time.' J. W. Miller, Choice
Part I. Life: 1. Life Gary Scharnhorst; 2. Reading Alan Gribben; 3. Autobiography John Bird; 4. Biographies Kevin Mac Donnell; Part II. Literary Contexts: 5. Southwestern humor Henry B. Wonham; 6. Literary comedians David E. E. Sloane; 7. Local color and regionalism Joseph A. Alvarez; 8. Early periodical writing James Caron; 9. Travel writing Jeffrey Melton; 10. Short fiction Peter Messent; 11. Publishing Bruce Michelson; 12. Lectures and speeches Tracy Wuster; 13. Contemporary writers Kelly Richardson; 14. Realism and naturalism Chad Rohman; Part III. Historical and Cultural Contexts: 15. Politics James S. Leonard; 16. Business and economics Lawrence Howe; 17. Religion Harold K. Bush; 18. Science and technology Nathaniel Williams; 19. Race and ethnicity: African Americans Shelley Fisher Fishkin; 20. Race and ethnicity: native Americans Kerry Driscoll; 21. Race and ethnicity: Chinese Hsuan L. Hsu; 22. Cosmopolitanism Ann M. Ryan; 23. Gender issues: women and domesticity Laura Skandera-Trombley; 24. Gender issues: sexuality Linda A. Morris; 25. History Gregg Camfield; 26. Animals and animal rights Emily VanDette; 27. Nationalism and anti-Imperialism Susan K. Harris; 28. Philosophy James Wharton Leonard; Part IV. Reception and Criticism: 29. Contemporary and early reception and criticism (to 1960) Joe B. Fulton; 30. Reception and criticism (1960-present) Joseph Csicsila; 31. Translation and international reception Selina Lai-Henderson; Part V. Historical, Creative, and Cultural Legacies: 32. Film, television, and theater adaptations R. Kent Rasmussen; 33. Copyright, trademark, and brand Judith Yaross Lee; 34. Mark Twain sites Hillary Iris Lowe.