nSelected short works of humor and criticism by a revered American mastern nBeloved by millions, Mark Twain is the quintessential American writer. More than anyone else, his blend of skepticism, caustic wit and sharp prose defines a certain American mythos. While his novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is still taught to nearly everyone who attends school and is considered by many to be the Great American Novel, Twains shorter stories and criticisms have unequalled style and bite.n nIn a review thats less than kind to the writing of James Fenimore Cooper, Twain writes: Every time a Cooper person is in peril, and absolute silence is worth four dollars a minute, he is sure to step on a dry twig. There may be a hundred handier things to step on, but that wouldnt satisfy Cooper. Cooper requires him to turn out and find a dry twig; and if he cant do it, go and borrow one. Its difficult to imagine anyone else writing in quite this style, though many have tried, which is why Twains legacy only continues to grow.n nThe collection includes 20 works, including: n Old Times on the MississippiThe Mysterious StrangerThe Man That Corrupted HadleyburgThe Jumping FrogJim Bakers Bluejay YarnA True StoryLetter to the EarthThe War Prayer n n