Mark Twain and the Bible [Hardcover]

Allison R. Ensor (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (July 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813111811
• ISBN-13: 978-0813111810
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,071,598 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary research tool., February 2, 2012

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Tyndale Library - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mark Twain and the Bible (Hardcover)

The book does not deserve a rating of one star simply because it did not answer to the wishes of the particular reader. It was conceived as a research tool and it is very well suited to the purpose. It was never intended as a book of quotes or a compendium of stories. Rather it is a well documented survey of the role the Bible played in the writings of this iconic American author. For example, Ensor quotes Edgar Lee Masters as saying "at last, he threw out the Bible; but it seemed to be attached to a rubber band, and was likely to bounce back into his lap at any time. The mythology of Christianity engrossed his imagination." She makes reference to Dixon Wecter's take on Twain's early biblical exposure: he developed the will to disbelieve, but also a lifelong fascination with the mythology taught. There we have it: the will to disbelieve and fascination. These elements play back and forth the rest of his life.

We find, for example, a very careful analysis of Twain's Quaker City voyage to Palestine and the role it played in Twain's interest in the Bible. Many other interesting lines of inquiry are pursued such as Twain's descent into misanthropic determinism as he progressively rejected Christianity and it's sacred text.

If you want bacon and buy a chicken it is in no way admirable to question the reliabilty of the seller.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dull dull dull, August 31, 2010

By 

MsPozzi "MsPozzi" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mark Twain and the Bible (Hardcover)

This book did not have any reviews posted when I ordered it. I was hoping for quotes of Mark Twain, or portions of his books on Adam and Eve's Diaries. Alas, this is just a literary criticism and synopsis of the author's opinions of Twain's views. A waste of money and I am glad I only spent $2.