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