Greetings list members,

I would like to draw your attention to a book review in the Washington 
Post. Jonathan Yardley has reviewed Daniel Walker's new book, "What
Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848." I believe 
that "What Hath God Wrought" were the first words transmitted on the
first telegraph machine. Of course this period mostly precedes Twain's 
life, but it helps to build the foundations for a wide range of social 
issues and particularly for technological developments that would
later help to facilitate Twain's wide commercialization of his craft. 
The book also sheds light on the issues of power over others within
our border, as well as the ideological paths toward imperialism
outside of it, that would later be dealt with by Twain. The book
appears to me to provide a deep and extensive gateway to Twain's
times, and I look forward to adding it to my own library.

I have embedded the url link to the review below. In case the long url 
does not make it, I also provide a "tiny" url that should take you
there.

Thanks,

Steve Crawford