MARK TWAIN Man in White

Michael Shelden’s riveting account of Mark Twain’s last four years reads like a novel, including triumphs, scandals, family dramas, a burglary, and a shocking betrayal by two whom Twain completely trusted. And what narrator wouldn’t have a field day with a character like Twain? Confronting two career criminals who had stolen his family silver, Twain scolded, “Aren’t you ashamed to fall so low? Now you’ll end up in the U.S. Senate, there’s no other route open to you.” Andrew Garman narrates with appreciation and feeling for this true American original. He (and his producer) suffer occasional lapses of attention (for example, CONtent for conTENT; too bad, as the latter was a favorite word of Twain’s), but these are minor distractions in a delightful listening experience. B.G. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2010]