Telling Twain: A book of short stories by Mark Twain
by Steve Daut
Parkhurst Brothers, Inc., 2019 eISBN: 978-1-62491-133-0 | Paper: 978-1-62491-132-3 Library of Congress Classification PS3604.A9328A6 2019 Dewey Decimal Classification 813.6
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC
ABOUT THIS BOOK
Updated versions of Mark Twain classic stories in the best tradition of comedic writing. All of the stories were originally penned by Mark Twain, including "The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." The author is a contemporary American storyteller who has included notes for readers and re-tellers in addition to an introduction that comments on Mr. Twain and the era in which his stories were written.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
A performer for 35 years, Steve Daut’s onstage credits include stand-up comedy, improv, and storytelling. He is a graduate of the Second City Comedy Club and the Purple Rose Theatre Actor-Director Lab. Daut’sprogram, Telling Twain,has been acceptedfor inclusion in the 2018-2021 Michigan Arts and Humanities Touring Directory. Steve Dauthas been telling stories ever since the dog ate his homework.
REVIEWS
"Humorous, wry, and intelligent, Steve Daut also tells stories with compassion." -
— Yvonne Healy, storyteller and former Chair, National Storytelling Network
“What comes through in these adaptations of Mark Twain stories is Steve Daut’s dedicated soul. His gentle hand with the Twain originals shows the wisdom and humor of both men, and their facility with words.”
— Jim May, Emmy-Award-winning, nationally-honored storyteller
“Steve Daut knows funny when he hears it. Read this book and you will, too.”
— John Hilton, editor, Ann Arbor Observer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 – PERSONAL NARRATIVES
CURING A COLD
THE KILLING OF JULIUS CAESAR
JOURNALISM IN TENNESSEE
MY WATCH
POLITICAL ECONOMY
HOW I EDITED AN AGRICULTURAL PAPER
ARGUING WITH A RAVEN
THE PROFESSOR’S YARN
SECTION 2 – STORIES INSPIRED BY “CURRENT EVENTS”
THE WILD MANINTERVIEWED
THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF THE GREAT LANDSLIDE
RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR
SECTION 3 – FABLES
A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE
SOME LEARNED FABLES FOR GOOD OLD BOYS AND GIRLS
ONE LITTLE TALE
THE FIVE BOONS OF LIFE
A FABLE
SECTION 4 – TALL TALES
THE NOTORIOUS JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERAS COUNTY
THE UNDERTAKER’S CHAT
EXPERIENCE OF THE MCWILLIAMSESWITH MEMBRANEOUS COUP
A GHOST STORY
THE SALESMAN’S TALE
MRS. MCWILLIAMS AND THE LIGHTNING
THE MCWILLIAMSESAND THE BURGLAR ALARM
THE THIRY-THOUSAND DOLLAR BEQUEST
EXCERPT FROM CAPTAIN STORMFIELD’S VISIT TO HEAVEN
Updated versions of Mark Twain classic stories in the best tradition of comedic writing. All of the stories were originally penned by Mark Twain, including "The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." The author is a contemporary American storyteller who has included notes for readers and re-tellers in addition to an introduction that comments on Mr. Twain and the era in which his stories were written.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
A performer for 35 years, Steve Daut’s onstage credits include stand-up comedy, improv, and storytelling. He is a graduate of the Second City Comedy Club and the Purple Rose Theatre Actor-Director Lab. Daut’sprogram, Telling Twain,has been acceptedfor inclusion in the 2018-2021 Michigan Arts and Humanities Touring Directory. Steve Dauthas been telling stories ever since the dog ate his homework.
REVIEWS
"Humorous, wry, and intelligent, Steve Daut also tells stories with compassion." -
— Yvonne Healy, storyteller and former Chair, National Storytelling Network
“What comes through in these adaptations of Mark Twain stories is Steve Daut’s dedicated soul. His gentle hand with the Twain originals shows the wisdom and humor of both men, and their facility with words.”
— Jim May, Emmy-Award-winning, nationally-honored storyteller
“Steve Daut knows funny when he hears it. Read this book and you will, too.”
— John Hilton, editor, Ann Arbor Observer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 – PERSONAL NARRATIVES
CURING A COLD
THE KILLING OF JULIUS CAESAR
JOURNALISM IN TENNESSEE
MY WATCH
POLITICAL ECONOMY
HOW I EDITED AN AGRICULTURAL PAPER
ARGUING WITH A RAVEN
THE PROFESSOR’S YARN
SECTION 2 – STORIES INSPIRED BY “CURRENT EVENTS”
THE WILD MANINTERVIEWED
THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF THE GREAT LANDSLIDE
RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR
SECTION 3 – FABLES
A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE
SOME LEARNED FABLES FOR GOOD OLD BOYS AND GIRLS
ONE LITTLE TALE
THE FIVE BOONS OF LIFE
A FABLE
SECTION 4 – TALL TALES
THE NOTORIOUS JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERAS COUNTY
THE UNDERTAKER’S CHAT
EXPERIENCE OF THE MCWILLIAMSESWITH MEMBRANEOUS COUP
A GHOST STORY
THE SALESMAN’S TALE
MRS. MCWILLIAMS AND THE LIGHTNING
THE MCWILLIAMSESAND THE BURGLAR ALARM
THE THIRY-THOUSAND DOLLAR BEQUEST
EXCERPT FROM CAPTAIN STORMFIELD’S VISIT TO HEAVEN
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC