Berlin and America
Mark Twain in Berlin
Mark Twain in Berlin
Authors: Mark Twain, Andreas Austilat
Preface: Lewis Lapham
Genre: Biography/Travel
Softcover: 176 pages, 68 pictures
Dimensions: 5.5’’ x 8.5’’
Suggested retail: $14.00 / 14,00 €
ISBN: 978-3-96026-069-1
Release: Summer 2013
About the Book
In fall 1891, Mark Twain headed for Berlin, the “newest city I have ever seen,” as America’s foremost humorist wrote; accompanied by his wife, Olivia, and their three daughters. Twain, a “Yankee from head to toe,” according to the local press, conspired with diplomats, frequented the famed salons, had breakfast with duchesses, and dined with the emperor. He suffered an “organized dog-choir club,” at his first address, which he deemed a “rag-picker's paradise,” picked a fight with the police, who made him look under his maid's petticoats, was abused by a porter, got lost on streetcars, was nearly struck down by pneumonia, and witnessed a proletarian uprising in front of his hotel Unter den Linden. Twain penned articles on his everyday life and he also began a novel about Wilhelmina von Preussen, the lonely Prussian princess, unpublished until now, as are most of his Berlin stories. They are assembled for the first time here in this book, together with a riveting account of Twain’s foray into the German capital, by Andreas Austilat. With a preface by Lewis Lapham.
Andreas Austilat
Andreas Austilat
Andreas Austilat is the deputy editor of the Sunday supplement at Tagesspiegel, Berlin‘s leading daily. He published three travel and culture guides about Brandenburg and Berlin, where he was born. He lives in Berlin with his wife, his two children, and their dog Duffy.
Mark Twain was born 1835 in Missouri. After a stint on the Mississippi, he became one of America‘s most famous journalists, humorists, travel writer and author. He traveled to Italy, France, Palestine, and many other countries, and twice to Germany. He lived in Berlin from 1891 to 1892.
