Christian Science [Hardcover]

Mark Twain (Author), 1stWorld Library (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2006 | ISBN-10: 1421807637 | ISBN-13: 978-1421807638

This last summer, when I was on my way back to Vienna from the Appetite-Cure in the mountains, I fell over a cliff in the twilight, and broke some arms and legs and one thing or another, and by good luck was found by some peasants who had lost an ass, and they carried me to the nearest habitation, which was one of those large, low, thatch-roofed farm-houses, with apartments in the garret for the family, and a cunning little porch under the deep gable decorated with boxes of bright colored flowers and cats; on the ground floor a large and light sitting-room, separated from the milch-cattle apartment by a partition; and in the front yard rose stately and fine the wealth and pride of the house, the manure-pile. That sentence is Germanic, and shows that I am acquiring that sort of mastery of the art and spirit of the language which enables a man to travel all day in one sentence without changing cars. There was a village a mile away, and a horse doctor lived there, but there was no surgeon. It seemed a bad outlook; mine was distinctly a surgery case. Then it was remembered that a lady from Boston was summering in that village, and she was a Christian Science doctor and could cure anything. So she was sent for. It was night by this time, and she could not conveniently come, but sent word that it was no matter, there was no hurry, she would give me "absent treatment" now, and come in the morning; meantime she begged me to make myself tranquil and comfor-table and remember that there was nothing the matter with me. I thought there must be some mistake.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

American author and lecturer, Mark Twain received universal acclaim for his accounts of youthful escapades. His writings are also known for pragmatism of place and language, unforgettable characters, and abhorrence of pretense and tyranny. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 260 pages
• Publisher: 1st World Library - Literary Society (February 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1421807637
• ISBN-13: 978-1421807638
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,391,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Twain (1835-1910) was an American humorist, satirist, social critic, lecturer and novelist. He is mostly remembered for his classic novels The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars funny even to a non-CS, July 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Christian Science (Skeptic's Bookshelf) (Paperback)

This isn't one of Twain's best books, but it is a pretty hilarious send-up of Christian Science nonetheless. I think it is funnier if you know a little bit about the religion, but it probably doesn't seem as funny to people who actually practice the religion.

A CS friend told me that CSs are fond of quoting passages from Twain that "prove" he became a fan of Eddy in later life. The quote they cite as proof is typical of the sarcasm in this book: "Mother Eddy deserves a place in the Trinity as much as any member of it. She has organized and made available a healing principle that for two thousand years has never been employed except as the merest kind of guesswork. She is the benefactor of the age."

If the above quote strikes you as funny, buy this book. If you believe the quote is serious, I'd advise you to give it a miss.

43 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still one of the best books about "Christian 'Science'", July 6, 2001

By 

Super Woman Three (Lake Ellias, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christian Science (Skeptic's Bookshelf) (Paperback)

The first part of Mark Tawin's work on "Christian 'Science'" is very funny; he shows through parody and wit just how ignorant, stupid, superstitious, and gullible human beings can be. The second part is much more serious: Twain shows how the sinister organization came into existance, and remarks upon Eddy's criminal and abusive acts when starting the business, as well as mentions some of the plagerism she committed.

This is by far one of the best books about how the "Christian 'Science'" organization came to exist. While the book is a classic, it is also timeless.

If you are interested in Eddy or "Christian 'Science,'" this is the single best source for you to explore. I recomend this book HIGHLY!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Twain lovers, September 1, 2009

By 

Anna Shepherd "Love2read" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christian Science (Paperback)

If you love Mark Twain, you'll love this book. Be prepared there is no Becky and Big Jim to be found, just Twain's delightful writing style. Twain taking on the CHristian Scientists is enlightening and informative. I liked it very much