Thanks to several members of the Forum, I have now a copy of the extended
review of Hoffman's biography.  I hope that the review will not keep Mark
Twainians from reading the book, which contains much information not found
elsewhere.  The book has 16 pages of well-chosen illustrations.  It
clarifies many issues, notably how much damage Charles Webster did to Mark
Twain.  It is well paced, well written, clear.  The sexual issues
identified in the review do not loom large in the book.
Hoffman has done his homework.  He has made good use of Mark Twain's
letters, published and unpublished.  (Incidentally, Mark Twain's letter to
Stoddard about "peace of mind" was published in 1969 by John T. Frederick
in a much-neglected essay on Mark Twain and Religion: THE DARKENED SKY:
NINETEENTH-CENTURY NOVELISTS AND RELIGION, Note Dame University Press.)
I hope that other readers will offer comments on Hoffman's book. He
expresses gratitude to the Mark Twain Forum: "I thank you
all from the bottom of my heart."

                                Everett Emerson
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