Shelley Fisher Fishkin

Presents descriptions and illustrations of over 150 historical landmarks associated with well-known American writers and poets, discussing the influence these sites had on their development as artists and on the creation of their works. --Publisher's description.

"In 1880, John Hay, the humorist and statesman, had four copies printed, without a name attached (only one copy of this version is known to exist). Amazingly, the first book edition was printed in 1882 at West Point, by a friend of Clemens and Twichell, in an edition of 50 copies on handmade paper soaked in coffee, with special punches for the Old English spelling required ... Further editions were printed during Twain's lifetime, although Twain did...