Mark Twain: A Biography. Volume I, Part 2: 1866-1875

"Mark Twain: A Biography. Volume I, Part 2: 1866-1875" by Albert Bigelow Paine is a biographical work that navigates the pivotal years of Samuel Clemens, famously known as Mark Twain, as he navigates a new career path. The biography chronicles his shift from writer to celebrated lecturer, detailing his travels, personal obstacles, and the drive to achieve literary fame. From battling depression to venturing into public speaking with initial steps that include planning lectures about his time in Hawaii, the text captures Twain's anxieties leading up to his first performance, the encouragement from his peers, and his victorious debut before a welcoming crowd that set the stage for Twain's rising career, and hints at the witty and thought-provoking writing style that characterizes the rest of the book.