Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi is a memoir and historical account written in the late 19th century, centered on the author’s experiences as a young steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. The work blends the history and geography of the river with insights into the profession of piloting, all delivered with Twain’s characteristic wit and humor.
The narrative begins with Twain reflecting on the remarkable features of the Mississippi River. He highlights its unique shape, vast drainage basin, and immense historical significance, while also contemplating its physical properties, such as its shifting course and the enormous volume of sediment it carries to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, he introduces historical figures like De Soto and La Salle, tracing the exploration and navigation of this great waterway.
Through vivid deions and engaging anecdotes, the opening chapters set the stage for a deeper exploration of life on the river, the culture of steamboat travel, and the challenges faced by pilots. Twain’s writing brings the grandeur of the Mississippi River and its surrounding culture to life, offering readers more than just a historical account?it provides an evocative and enduring portrait of a unique time and place.

THE 'BODY OF THE NATION'

Chapter 1. The River and Its History
Chapter 2. The River and Its Explorers
Chapter 3. Frescoes from the Past
Chapter 4. The Boys' Ambition
Chapter 5. I Want to be a Cub-pilot
Chapter 6. A Cub-pilot's Experience
Chapter 7. A Daring Deed
Chapter 8. Perplexing Lessons
Chapter 9. Continued Perplexities
Chapter 10. Completing My Education
Chapter 11. The River Rises
Chapter 12. Sounding
Chapter 13. A Pilot's Needs
Chapter 14. Rank and Dignity of Piloting
Chapter 15. The Pilots' Monopoly
Chapter 16. Racing Days
Chapter 17. Cut-offs and Stephen
Chapter 18. I Take a Few Extra Lessons
Chapter 19. Brown and I Exchange Compliments
Chapter 20. A Catastrophe
Chapter 21. A Section in My Biography
Chapter 22. I Return to My Muttons
Chapter 23. Traveling Incognito
Chapter 24. My Incognito is Exploded
Chapter 25. From Cairo to Hickman
Chapter 26. Under Fire
THE PILOT'S FIRST BATTLE
Chapter 27. Some Imported Articles
Chapter 28. Uncle Mumford Unloads
Chapter 29. A Few Specimen Bricks
Chapter 30. Sketches by the Way
Chapter 31. A Thumb-print and What Came of It
Chapter 32. The Disposal of a Bonanza
Chapter 33. Refreshments and Ethics
Chapter 34. Tough Yarns
Chapter 35. Vicksburg During the Trouble
Chapter 36. The Professor's Yarn
Chapter 37. The End of the 'Gold Dust'
Chapter 38. The House Beautiful
Chapter 39. Manufactures and Miscreants
Chapter 40. Castles and Culture
Chapter 41. The Metropolis of the South
Chapter 42. Hygiene and Sentiment
Chapter 43. The Art of Inhumation
Chapter 44. City Sights
Chapter 45. Southern Sports
Chapter 46. Enchantments and Enchanters
Chapter 47. Uncle Remus and Mr. Cable
Chapter 48. Sugar and Postage
Chapter 49. Episodes in Pilot Life
Chapter 50. The 'Original Jacobs'
Chapter 51. Reminiscences
Chapter 52. A Burning Brand
Chapter 53. My Boyhood's Home
Chapter 54. Past and Present
Chapter 55. A Vendetta and Other Things
Chapter 56. A Question of Law
Chapter 57. An Archangel
Chapter 58. On the Upper River
Chapter 59. Legends and Scenery
Chapter 60. Speculations and Conclusions
APPENDIX