Following the Equator: (With Original Illustrations)

By Mark Twain

Mark Twain toured the British Empire in 1895, during which time he began concocting a travelogue about the experience that was published in 1897. Twain’s narrative spans the globe, from Australia to Hawaii. Full of tall-tales and real-life criticisms of imperialist arrogance, “Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World” is written with Twain’s characteristic wit and enthusiasm for a good, entertaining story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Start Classics
• Release date: Dec 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781627938273

Mark Twain

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 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc 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. 

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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.