Mark Twain's Letters — Volume 5 (1901-1906)

A trove of letters written between 1901 and 1906 reveals a markedly different side of the famed humorist. In his correspondence with longtime friend Rev. Joseph Twichell, he blends his characteristic wit with the fierce conviction of a self‑appointed reformer, taking on everything from political corruption to imperial policy. The letters capture everyday moments—a stubborn medicinal powder, plans for a Lincoln birthday speech at Carnegie Hall—and the larger cultural debates of the era, all filtered through his sharp, conversational style.

Listeners will hear Twain’s private voice as he juggles humor, indignation, and a desire to influence public opinion. The collection offers vivid snapshots of his friendships, his mounting concerns about social hypocrisy, and his unapologetic willingness to “break a lance” for causes that mattered to him. It’s an intimate glimpse into the mind of a writer who, even in his later years, remained keenly engaged with the world he inhabited.