Why You Should Read Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain

Don’t miss this opportunity to read one of the most celebrated American books of all time. This book will entertain you, inform you, and inspire you with Twain’s stories and anecdotes.

By Bruce Carlson

Hi everyone! One of the things we have heard since we moved to the Metro East area is you have to take a drive along the Mississippi, especially in the fall. As I started to look for route a way to explore the Mississippi River I couldn’t help but come across Mark Twain. He took his pen name from his time on the river. In this review, I will give you a brief overview and introduction of the book Life of the Mississippi.

Life on the Mississippi is a memoir and a travel book that recounts Twain’s experiences as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before and after the American Civil War . It also gives a brief history of the river and its exploration by Europeans and Americans. The book was published in 1883 and was the first submitted to a publisher as a typewritten manuscript. It is considered one of Twain’s best works, combining his humor, satire, and nostalgia.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part, chapters 1-22, describes Twain’s childhood and apprenticeship as a steamboat pilot in the 1850s. He tells stories of his adventures, mishaps, and observations on the river and its people. He also explains the technical and practical aspects of piloting a steamboat, such as reading the water, avoiding obstacles, and communicating with other boats. He reveals his admiration and respect for the river and the profession, as well as his ambition to become a successful pilot.

The second part, chapters 23-60, narrates Twain’s return to the river in 1882, after a long absence. He travels from St. Louis to New Orleans and back on a steamboat, accompanied by his brother Orion. He compares his impressions of the river and its towns with his memories from before the war. He notices many changes, such as the decline of steamboat traffic, the growth of railroads and industry, the loss of natural beauty and romance, and the emergence of new social and racial issues. He also meets old friends and acquaintances, some of whom have prospered and some of whom have fallen into ruin.

Throughout the book, Twain uses his trademark wit and irony to entertain, inform, and criticize. He blends factual information with fictional anecdotes, historical accounts with personal opinions, and serious commentary with humorous digressions. He portrays the Mississippi River as a symbol of America’s past, present, and future, as well as a source of inspiration and challenge for himself and others. What follows next is a review of the half of the book. I’ll do the second half in another article next week.

Chapter By Chapter Summary

Chapter 1: The River and Its History

In this chapter, Twain introduces the Mississippi River and its history, from its discovery by Hernando de Soto in 1542 to its exploration by Marquette and Joliet in 1673, La Salle in 1682, and others. He also describes the physical features and changes of the river, such as its length, width, depth, course, islands, bends, and currents. He explains how the river has influenced the geography, economy, and culture of the regions along its banks. He also mentions some of the legends and superstitions associated with the river, such as the phantom island of Julienné’s Rock and the sunken steamer Walter Scott.

Chapter 2: The River and Its Explorers

In this chapter, Twain continues his historical account of the Mississippi River and its explorers, focusing on the period from 1800 to 1840. He tells stories of some of the famous and adventurous men who traveled on the river, such as Zebulon Pike, Aaron Burr, Mike Fink, John James Audubon, Henry Schoolcraft, and Joseph Nicollet. He also describes some of the events and developments that occurred on the river during this time, such as the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, the steamboat era, the Indian wars, and the fur trade. He also comments on some of the books and maps that were published about the river and its regions.

Chapter 3: Frescoes from the Past

In this chapter, Twain shifts from history to personal reminiscence. He recalls his childhood in Hannibal, Missouri, a small town on the Mississippi River where he was born in 1835. He describes some of the scenes and characters that he witnessed and encountered in his hometown, such as the steamboats, the rafts, the pilots, the gamblers, the slaves, the circus, and the graveyard. He also reveals his fascination and admiration for the river and its life. He says that he dreamed of becoming a steamboat pilot someday.

Chapter 4: The Boys’ Ambition

In this chapter, Twain continues his recollection of his boyhood in Hannibal. He tells how he and his friends used to play on the river and pretend to be pirates or explorers. He also tells how he used to sneak out of his house at night and watch the steamboats pass by. He says that he was enchanted by their lights, sounds, and movements. He also says that he was impressed by their pilots, who seemed to him like heroes or kings. He says that he wanted to be like them more than anything else in the world.

Chapter 5: I Want to Be a Cub-Pilot

In this chapter, Twain narrates how he became a cub pilot on a steamboat at the age of twenty-one. He says that he left Hannibal in 1853 and worked as a printer in various cities until he reached New Orleans in 1857. There he met Horace Bixby, a veteran pilot who agreed to teach him how to pilot a steamboat for five hundred dollars. Twain says that he was overjoyed by this opportunity and eagerly boarded Bixby’s boat, The Paul Jones.

Chapter 6: A Cub-Pilot’s Experience

In this chapter, Twain describes his first experience as a cub pilot on The Paul Jones. He says that he was nervous and excited as he stood beside Bixby on the pilot-house. He says that he tried to memorize everything that Bixby told him about the river and its landmarks. He also says that he learned how to steer the boat according to Bixby’s commands. However, he also says that he made many mistakes and blunders along the way. He says that he often confused his right from his left or his up from his down. He also says that he sometimes ran into snags or sandbars or other boats. He says that Bixby was patient but strict with him. He also says that Bixby sometimes played tricks on him or scolded him harshly.

Chapter 7: A Daring Deed

In this chapter, Twain relates a daring deed that he witnessed on The Paul Jones. He says that one night, when they were approaching St. Louis, they saw a burning steamboat on the river. It was The Gold Dust, a boat that belonged to the same company as The Paul Jones. Twain says that Bixby decided to help the passengers and crew of The Gold Dust by taking them on board The Paul Jones. However, he says that this was a very risky and difficult maneuver, as the two boats had to come close to each other without colliding or catching fire. Twain says that he was terrified by the sight of the flames and the screams of the people. He also says that he admired Bixby’s courage and skill as he executed the rescue operation.

Chapter 8: Perplexing Lessons

In this chapter, Twain recounts some of the perplexing lessons that he learned as a cub pilot on The Paul Jones. He says that he realized that piloting a steamboat was not as easy or glamorous as he had imagined. He says that he had to study hard and constantly to master the river and its changes. He also says that he had to deal with many challenges and dangers, such as fog, storms, ice, low water, high water, snags, wrecks, and collisions. He also says that he had to cope with the pressure and responsibility of being in charge of the lives and property of hundreds of people. He also says that he had to endure the criticism and ridicule of his fellow pilots and passengers.

Chapter 9: Continued Perplexities

In this chapter, Twain continues his account of his perplexities as a cub pilot on The Paul Jones. He says that he learned more about the river and its landmarks, but also encountered more difficulties and surprises. He says that he sometimes forgot or confused the names or locations of the places on the river. He also says that he sometimes misjudged the distance or direction of the objects on the river. He also says that he sometimes fails to notice or anticipate the changes in the river’s course or condition. He also says that he sometimes misunderstood or disobeyed Bixby’s orders or signals.

Chapter 10: Completing My Education

In this chapter, Twain tells how he completed his education as a cub pilot on The Paul Jones. He says that after two years of hard work and practice, he finally learned all the secrets and details of the river and its navigation. He also says that he gained confidence and competence in piloting a steamboat. He also says that he earned Bixby’s respect and approval. He also says that he passed his examination by the Board of Inspectors and received his license as a full-fledged pilot. He also says that he was proud and happy with his achievement.

Chapter 11: The River Changes

In this chapter, Twain explains how the river changes over time and space. He says that the river is constantly shifting its course, creating new islands, bars, bends, channels, and outlets. He also says that the river is affected by various factors, such as floods, droughts, earthquakes, landslides, erosion, deposition, human intervention, and natural disasters. He also says that these changes make piloting a steamboat more challenging and interesting.

Chapter 12: I Take a Few Extra Lessons

In this chapter, Twain relates how he took a few extra lessons from Bixby after becoming a pilot. He says that Bixby offered to teach him some advanced skills and tricks in piloting a steamboat, such as crossing sandbars at night, running rapids at high water, or handling emergencies at low water. Twain says that he accepted Bixby’s offer and joined him on his new boat, The Alonzo Child. Twain says that he learned a lot from Bixby’s extra lessons, but also experienced some scares and shocks along the way.

Chapter 13: A Pilot’s Needs

In this chapter, Twain discusses some of the needs and requirements of a pilot in his profession. He says that a pilot needs to have good eyesight, hearing, memory, judgment, nerve, and temper. He also says that a pilot needs to have a thorough knowledge of the river and its navigation. He also says that a pilot needs to have a reliable partner or assistant who can share his duties and responsibilities. He also says that a pilot needs to have a comfortable pilot house where he can work and rest.

Chapter 14: Rank and Dignity of Piloting

In this chapter, Twain describes the rank and dignity of piloting in his time. He says that piloting was one of the most prestigious and lucrative occupations in America in the 1850s and 1860s. He says that pilots were respected and admired by everyone for their skill and authority. He also says that pilots were well-paid and well-treated by their employers and customers. He also says that pilots enjoyed many privileges and perks in their work and life.

Chapter 15: The Pilots’ Monopoly

In this chapter, Twain explains how the pilots’ monopoly was established and maintained in his time. He says that the pilots formed a powerful association or union that controlled the supply and demand of pilots in the market. He says that the association set the wages and working conditions of the pilots, and also regulated their admission and expulsion. He says that the association also protected the interests and rights of the pilots against their employers, customers, competitors, and authorities. He says that the association was able to do this because of its influence and leverage over the steamboat business and the river trade.

Chapter 16: The ‘Association’ Busts Up

In this chapter, Twain tells how the pilots’ monopoly was broken up by the Civil War. He says that when the war broke out in 1861, many pilots joined the army or navy, or left the river for other reasons. Twain recounts how this reduced the number and quality of pilots available for service. The war disrupted and damaged the steamboat industry and the river commerce. This reduced the demand and value of pilots in the market. The war divided and weakened the association, as some pilots sided with the North and some with the South. These factors led to the collapse of the association and its monopoly.

Chapter 17: Some Famous Pilots

In this chapter, Twain pays tribute to some of the famous pilots that he knew or heard of in his time. He mentions some of their names, such as Tom Tipton, George Ealer, Sam Bowen, Bill Brown, Bixby, and himself. He praises some of their qualities, such as their skill, courage, humor, generosity, and fame. He also tells some of their stories, such as their exploits, adventures, mishaps, and achievements.

Chapter 18: I Get a Job

In this chapter, Twain recounts how he got a job as a pilot after getting his license. He was hired by a man named Brown to pilot a boat called The Edward J. Gay. Twain was happy and proud to have his own boat and command. He was well-paid and well-respected by his employer and passengers.

Chapter 19: Sounding

In this chapter, Twain describes the process and purpose of sounding on a steamboat. That sounding is measuring the depth of water under a boat by using a long pole or rope with a lead weight at one end. Sounding is necessary to avoid running aground or hitting obstacles on shallow or unknown parts of the river. Sounding is difficult and dangerous to do, especially at night or in bad weather. It is a science and art that requires skill and experience.

Chapter 20: ‘Mark Twain!’

In this chapter, Twain reveals how he got his pen name Mark Twain. He borrowed it from an old river term that means two fathoms or twelve feet of water depth. He heard it often from his fellow pilots when they were sounding on their boats. He liked it because it sounded catchy and mysterious. He used it for the first time in 1863 when he wrote a humorous travel letter for a newspaper in Nevada.

Chapter 21: I Have Some Trouble

In this chapter, Twain relates some of the trouble that he had as a pilot on The Edward J. Gay. There was some trouble with his partner Brown, who was rude, lazy, drunk, and incompetent. Also, there was trouble with his boss Mr. Gay, who was stingy, greedy, dishonest, and demanding. Twain’s boat The Edward J. Gary, also played in the challenges, it was old, slow, leaky, and unreliable.

Chapter 22: I Quit Piloting

In this chapter, Twain tells how he quit piloting The Edward J. Gay in 1861. He decided to quit because he was tired of his trouble with Brown, Mr. Gay, and The Edward J. Gay. He also says that he decided to quit because he wanted to join his brother Orion who had been appointed as secretary of Nevada Territory by President Lincoln. Mark Twain was ready to try new adventures and opportunities in the West.

Deep Concept Summary

Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain is a memoir and a travel book that explores the history, culture, and nature of the Mississippi River and its regions. It also reflects Twain’s personal and professional experiences as a steamboat pilot before and after the American Civil War. The book is divided into two parts: the first part covers Twain’s childhood and apprenticeship as a pilot in the 1850s, and the second part covers his return to the river in 1882, after a long absence.

The main concept or theme of the book is change. Twain shows how the river changes over time and space, creating new landscapes, challenges, and opportunities. He also shows how the river changes the lives and fortunes of the people who live on or near it, such as explorers, settlers, traders, farmers, slaves, soldiers, gamblers, pilots, and writers. He also shows how he himself changes as a result of his interaction with the river and its society. He changes from a naive and adventurous boy to a skilled and ambitious pilot to a mature and nostalgic writer.

The book also deals with other concepts or themes, such as:

• Memory: Twain uses his memory to recall his past experiences on the river and compare them with his present observations. He also questions the accuracy and reliability of his memory, as he sometimes finds discrepancies or contradictions between his recollections and reality.
• Humor: Twain uses humor to entertain, inform, and criticize. He uses various forms of humor, such as irony, satire, exaggeration, understatement, parody, puns, anecdotes, and jokes. He uses humor to make fun of himself, his partners, his bosses, his passengers, his rivals, his enemies, and his society.
• Nostalgia: Twain expresses nostalgia for his lost youth and innocence, as well as for the lost beauty and romance of the river and its life. He laments the decline of steamboat traffic, the growth of railroads and industry, the loss of natural scenery and wildlife, and the emergence of new social and racial problems.
• Criticism: Twain criticizes some of the aspects or issues that he encounters on the river and its regions. Twain criticizes some of the historical figures or events that shaped or affected the river’s history. Criticism of some of the contemporary practices or policies that harm or exploit the river’s resources or people is also targeted.

Chapter Title	Main Point or Summary
The River and Its History	Twain introduces the Mississippi River and its history, from its discovery by de Soto in 1542 to its exploration by La Salle in 1682.
The River and Its Explorers	Twain continues his historical account of the river and its explorers, from 1800 to 1840. He tells stories of Pike, Burr, Fink, Audubon, Schoolcraft, and Nicollet.
Frescoes from the Past	Twain recalls his childhood in Hannibal, Missouri, in 1835. He describes the steamboats, the rafts, the pilots, the gamblers, the slaves, the circus, and the graveyard.
The Boys’ Ambition	Twain remembers his boyhood in Hannibal. He tells how he and his friends played on the river and watched the steamboats. He says that he dreamed of becoming a pilot.
I Want to Be a Cub-Pilot	Twain narrates how he became a cub pilot in 1857. He says that he met Bixby, a veteran pilot who agreed to teach him for five hundred dollars. He says that he boarded Bixby’s boat, The Paul Jones.
A Cub-Pilot’s Experience	Twain describes his first experience as a cub pilot on The Paul Jones. He says that he tried to memorize the river and its landmarks. He also says that he made many mistakes and blunders. He says that Bixby was patient but strict with him.
A Daring Deed	Twain relates a daring deed on The Paul Jones. He says that they saw a burning boat, The Gold Dust, and decided to help them. He says that it was a risky and difficult maneuver. He says that he admired Bixby’s courage and skill.
Perplexing Lessons	Twain recounts some of the perplexing lessons on The Paul Jones. He says that he learned more about the river and its navigation, but also encountered more difficulties and surprises.
Continued Perplexities	Twain continues his account of his perplexities on The Paul Jones. He says that he sometimes forgot confused misjudged misunderstood or disobeyed things on the river or on the boat.
Completing My Education	Twain tells how he completed his education on The Paul Jones. He says that after two years, he finally learned all the secrets and details of the river and its navigation. He also says that he passed his examination and received his license as a pilot.
The River Changes	Twain explains how the river changes over time and space, creating new landscapes, challenges, and opportunities. He also says that these changes make piloting more challenging and interesting.
I Take a Few Extra Lessons	Twain relates how he took a few extra lessons from Bixby after becoming a pilot. He says that Bixby taught him some advanced skills and tricks in piloting, such as crossing sandbars at night or running rapids in high water.
A Pilot’s Needs	Twain discusses some of the needs and requirements of a pilot in his profession. He says that a pilot needs to have good eyesight, hearing, memory, judgment, nerve, temper, knowledge, partner, and pilot-house.
Rank and Dignity of Piloting	Twain describes the rank and dignity of piloting in his time. He says that piloting was one of the most prestigious and lucrative occupations in America in the 1850s and 1860s. He says that pilots were respected, admired, well-paid, well-treated, and privileged.

 

Chapter Title	Main Point or Summary
The Pilots’ Monopoly	Twain explains how the pilots’ monopoly was established and maintained by their association or union that controlled the supply and demand of pilots in the market.
The ‘Association’ Busts Up	Twain tells how the pilots’ monopoly was broken up by the Civil War which reduced the number and quality of pilots, disrupted and damaged the steamboat industry and the river commerce, and divided and weakened the association.
Some Famous Pilots	Twain pays tribute to some of the famous pilots that he knew or heard of, such as Tipton, Ealer, Bowen, Brown, Bixby, and himself. He praises their skill, courage, humor, generosity, and fame.
I Get a Job	Twain recounts how he got a job as a pilot on The Edward J. Gay. He says that he was happy and proud to have his own boat and command. He also says that he was well-paid and well-respected.
Sounding	Twain describes the process and purpose of sounding on a steamboat. He says that sounding is measuring the depth of water under a boat by using a pole or rope with a lead weight. He says that sounding is necessary to avoid running aground or hitting obstacles.
‘Mark Twain!’	Twain reveals how he got his pen name Mark Twain. He says that he borrowed it from an old river term that means two fathoms or twelve feet of water depth. He says that he used it for the first time in 1863 when he wrote a letter for a newspaper in Nevada.
I Have Some Trouble	Twain relates some of the trouble that he had as a pilot on The Edward J. Gay. He says that he had trouble with his partner Brown, his boss Mr. Gay, and his boat The Edward J. Gay.
I Quit Piloting	Twain tells how he quit piloting on The Edward J. Gay in 1861. He says that he decided to quit because he was tired of his trouble, wanted to join his brother Orion who had been appointed as secretary of Nevada Territory, and wanted to try new adventures and opportunities in the West.

If you are planning to retire near the Mississippi River, you may want to read Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. This book is a memoir and a travel book that explores the history, culture, and nature of the river and its regions. It also reflects Twain’s personal and professional experiences as a steamboat pilot before and after the American Civil War.

By reading this book, you can learn more about the river and its changes over time and space, creating new landscapes, challenges, and opportunities. You can also learn more about the river and its people, such as explorers, settlers, traders, farmers, slaves, soldiers, gamblers, pilots, and writers. You can also learn more about Twain himself, his humor, satire, nostalgia, and criticism.

This book can help you appreciate the beauty and romance of the river and its life, as well as the problems and issues that it faces. It can also inspire you to seek new adventures and opportunities on the river or in the West. It can also entertain you with Twain’s stories and anecdotes that are full of wit and irony.

If you are interested in reading Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain, I have a great offer for you. You can buy this book from Amazon, one of the largest and most trusted online retailers in the world. Amazon has a wide selection of books, including this one, at affordable prices and fast delivery. You can also read customer reviews, ratings, and recommendations to help you make your decision.

So what are you waiting for? Don’t miss this opportunity to read one of the most celebrated American books of all time. Click on the image below and order your copy of Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain today. You won’t regret it. 😊

We hope you are enjoying these articles and are willing to continue to follow along as we move through the process of selling our house, buying a new house (to become our home), and the adventures of learning about life in southern Illinois, Bruce & Karen.