Books

Roughing It

Mark Twain describes crossing the country, trying his hand as a prospector, and then sailing out to Hawaii.

Just like yesterday’s review: great travel writing, hilariously written. 

The Hawaii section hits like a ton of bricks. It evokes the place modern visitors know and love, but at a time before it had become widely known as an earthly paradise. It will make you nostalgic for a time long dead before you were born. 

Like the rest of his travel writing, this book is a mainline hit of the distilled essence of the times and places it covers. Plus, of course, a heavy dose of Twain’s personality and perspective. 

Five stars for its class.