Chapters 59-62 Summary

In these chapters the editor has placed Twain's memories and opinions of a variety of well-known people of his day. He met Rudyard Kipling before the writer became famous, and was impressed and amazed by how much he knew. He also speaks of Robert Lewis Stevenson, but mainly just to say they'd met a number of times.

Twain speaks highly of an editor named Murat Halsted, who died after a career of 60 years. He obviously admires his dedication.

In contrast, Twain speaks harshly, again, of Bret Harte. His criticism of Harte is heightened by the fact that he admired Harte's wife and cared about his family. Harte apparently was a drinker and a womanizer, and Twain was unusually judgmental of him.

Chapters 59-62 Analysis

Twain has been true to his word that his biography would include regular people. However, Twain himself...