This book introduces Mark Twain through close readings of his seven major works, including Tom Sawyer , Huckleberry Finn , Connecticut Yankee and Pudd'nhead Wilson . This work: investigates the tension between the real-life person, Samuel Clemens, and the fictional person, Mark Twain; provides an original reading of Twain’s obsession with performance and popularity; analyses the significance of Twain’s books for American culture and identity; and, is illustrated with images from first editions of Twain’s works. A short appendix directs readers to the author’s award-winning website on ‘Mark Twain in his Times’.