The death of Mark Twain's daughter, Jean Clemens, occurred early in the morning of December 24, 1909. A few hours later, Twain was writing steadily. "I am setting it down," he said, "everything. It is a relief to me to write it. It furnishes me an excuse for thinking." Four hours later he said, "I have finished it... some day - at the proper time - it can end my autobiography. It is the final chapter." Four months later -almost to the day - (April 21st) he was with Jean.
This is a Mark Twain In Person Audio Library recording, narrated by Mark Twain interpreter and actor Richard Henzel.
Public Domain (P)2011 Richard Henzel
"Henzel's characterization makes Twain seem to be standing in one's own presence... filled with the thoughts of America's most representative author." (Caroline Thomas Harnsberger, author of Mark Twain At Your Fingertips and longtime friend of Clara Clemens)