The Innocents Abroad: Or, the New Pilgrim's Progress (Modern Library Classics) - Softcover

Mark Twain; Jane Jacobs (Introduction)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0812967054 ISBN 13: 9780812967050

Publisher: Modern Library Inc, 2003

Synopsis

In 1867, young Mark Twain set out for Europe and the Holy Land on the paddle-steamer "Quaker City". His enduring, no-nonsense guide for the first-time traveller also served as an antidote to the insufferably romantic travel books of the period. The Innocents Abroad is one of the most prominent and influential travel books ever written about Europe and the Holy Land. In it, the collision of the American New Barbarians and the European Old World provides much comic fodder for Mark Twain and a remarkably perceptive lens on the human condition. Gleefully skewering the ethos of American tourism in Europe, Twain s lively satire ultimately reveals just what it is that defines cultural identity. As Twain himself points out, Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one s lifetime. And Jane Jacobs observes in her Introduction, If the reader is American, he may also find himself on a tour of his own psyche. Since 1917 The Modern Library prides itself as The modern Library of the world s Best Books . Featuring introductions by leading writers, stunning translations, scholarly endnotes and reading group guides. Production values emphasize superior quality and readability. Competitive prices, coupled with exciting cover design make these an ideal gift to be cherished by the avid reader.

About this title

Review:

"A classic work . . . [that] marks a critical point in the development of our literature."--Leslie A. Fiedler

From the Back Cover:

This book offers a glimpse of a major writer when he was and just beginning to flex his muscles, and also serves as an enduring no-nonsense guide for the first-time traveler of Europe and the Holy Land.

About this edition

• Publisher: Modern Library Inc
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0812967054
• ISBN 13: 9780812967050
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 560