Hi Kevin,

I enjoyed your summary biography of Twain's personal life. How would
you incorporate the development of Twain's seemingly cynical views
toward society and others (U.S. governments, foreigners, other
governments and institutions) into this? In my own view he develops
deeply cynical views toward others, whilst at the same time dealing
with the very personal history you elaborate below. Perhaps the
challenge is to separate the personal from the political and social.
This may be hard to do in his case, but your bio seems to do just
that although you do refer to the institution of slavery during his
early years. How would you, for example, plug The Mysterious Stranger
into your analysis, or his outspoken disgust with late 19th century
American and European foreign policies, colonialism, imperialism, etc.?

Thanks much,

Steve Crawford
School of Cultural Studies
Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences