Life on the Mississippi, Part 8

Focusing on Twain's experiences as a steamboat pilot, the memoir blends personal anecdotes with historical insights about the Mississippi River. It details his apprenticeship under seasoned pilot Horace E. Bixby and explores the challenges of navigating the river's shifting landscape. Additionally, the book includes a historical overview, tracing European and American exploration back to Hernando de Soto in 1542, while also recounting a later journey from New Orleans to Saint Paul, reflecting on the river's significance before and after the Civil War.