Following the Equator

Written by Mark Twain

Narrated by Michael Kevin

Bound on a lecturing trip around the world, Mark Twain turns his keen satiric eye to foreign lands in Following the Equator. This vivid chronicle of a sea voyage on the Pacific Ocean displays Twain's eye for the unusual, his wide-ranging curiosity, and his delight in embellishing the facts. The personalities of the ship's crew and passengers, the poetry of Australian place-names, the success of women's suffrage in New Zealand, an account of the Sepoy Mutiny, and reflections on the Boer War as an expression of imperialistic morality, among other topics, are the focus of his wry humor and redoubtable powers of observation. Following the Equator is an evocative and highly unique American portrait of nineteenth-century travel and customs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blackstone Audio
• Release date: Dec 17, 2008
• ISBN: 9781433252785

Mark Twain

<p>Mark Twain, who was born Samuel L. Clemens in Missouri in 1835, wrote some of the most enduring works of literature in the English language, including <em>The Adventures of Tom Sawyer</em> and <em>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn</em>. <em>Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc</em> was his last completed book—and, by his own estimate, his best. Its acquisition by Harper & Brothers allowed Twain to stave off bankruptcy. He died in 1910. </p>

Reviews for Following the Equator

[kaitanya64 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Of Twain's book length works, this is the most obviously anti-imperialist, but it is also funny. Enlightening and entertaining.

[mrslee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In the early 1900s, Mark Twain took a journey around the equator, visiting various countries and lecturing there. This is somewhat of his journal, but is mostly composed of his thoughts after the journey .It is interesting to read of the countries, and I found the opinions of Twain to be remarkably modern. For any who have called him a racist, I think they should read this book before they decide. His remarks are biting and sharp on the subject. Where he may be misunderstood is his habit of over-exaggerating an opinion to make a the opposite point. I found most of his writings about the islands in the Pacific, Australia and India to be interesting, and in fact learned much about India I had not known before. I found myself frequently looking things up thinking he was making up stories, but sure enough, it was true! The part on South Africa dragged for me, I did a lot of skimming there. This book is not as bitter and dark as some of his other writings. In fact, it seemed as if he was having the time of his life.

[stahl2ricco · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and India are all wonderfully described, as well as the platypus! The parts about "recruiting" (slave-catching) are especially powerful! Twain is clearly anti-slavery, anti-politician, and pro woman's suffrage! And his points about education toward the end seem right on for today as well as when he wrote! I wasn't crazy about the chapters on South Africa, but this is one heck of a book!

[bookseller525 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can hardly imagine anything better than traveling the globe with Mark Twain. His wit and keen powers of observation were abundantly apparent. Sadly, so was his prejudice; although, one must remember that this was written in an entirely different time, and that, thankfully most people have become more evolved and educated since then. One also has to remember that, as Twain reminds us himself in the book, he was brought up during slavery, to accept slavery and denigration of those of different ethnicity as normal.One story, that involved him naming an Indian servant Satan had me exasperated at his presumption at making such a joke at someone else's expense and at the same time had me rolling on the floor laughing when Satan brought Twain God's calling card. That's just the crux of the story, it was a few pages in length, and the funniest passage I think I've ever read. However, the lack of respect for his servant as a human being and for the religion of others in the story, did, as I say, quite leave me feeling exasperated.

[juva_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A charmingly disinterested account of world travel from the perspective of an American. The author revels in his own prejudice with a deliciously cynical charm. His observations have kept their edge and are still cutting today. None are spared his blistering eye and both high and low find their ways pilloried for fun alone. There is not a jot of malice in the whole book. The author has taken the weight of human nature and knows the frailties of mankind very well. I calming, easy read.

[jbreedlove_6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A great slog of a bathroom book. Casual 19th century racism of a genial sort. But great travel insights from another time.