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Huckleberry Finn

In his time, Mark Twain was considered the funniest man on earth. Yet he was also an unflinching critic of human nature, using his humor to attack hypocrisy, greed and racism. In this series, Ken Burns has created an illuminating portrait of the man who is also one of the greatest writers in American history.

Huckleberry Finn
Watch • 1:21
Mark Twain
Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry Finn is Mark Twain's masterpiece
Clip: S1 | 1:21
Samuel Clemens
Watch • 0:53
Mark Twain
Samuel Clemens
Sam Clemens decided to take on a new name: Mark Twain.
Clip: S1 | 0:53
Aren't we Funny Animals?
Watch • 0:59
Mark Twain
Aren't we Funny Animals?
Hal Holbrook discusses how Twain's writing makes him feel.
Clip: S1 | 0:59
Funding provided by General Motors Corporation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Connecticut Office of Tourism, CPB, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, Park Foundation
Episodes
Episode One
Watch • 1:50:45
Mark Twain
Episode One
Mark Twain tells the story of the writer’s extraordinary life.
Episode: S1 E1 | 1:50:45
Episode Two
Watch • 1:42:25
Mark Twain
Episode Two
The conclusion of the story of America's best-loved and best-known author, Mark Twain.
Episode: S1 E2 | 1:42:25
Extras
Episode Two | Preview
Watch • 0:30
Mark Twain
Episode Two | Preview
Sundays, March 6-13, 2011, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET. Check your local listings.
Preview: S1 E2 | 0:30
Episode One | Preview
Watch • 0:30
Mark Twain
Episode One | Preview
Sundays, March 6-13, 2011, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET. Check your local listings.
Preview: S1 E1 | 0:30
Mark Twain Goes Abroad
Watch • 0:26
Mark Twain
Mark Twain Goes Abroad
Twain traveled abroad with the idea that America is the center of the universe, not Europe
Clip: S1 | 0:26
Hartford House
Watch • 0:47
Mark Twain
Hartford House
Twain wanted to be rustic and a rebel, but also wealthy and successful.
Clip: S1 | 0:47
Hannibal, MO
Watch • 0:38
Mark Twain
Hannibal, MO
The idea of Place formed Mark Twain.
Clip: S1 | 0:38
The Anguish Underneath the Man
Watch • 0:51
Mark Twain
The Anguish Underneath the Man
Under the boasting of Mark Twain was a great suffering.
Clip: S1 | 0:51
Dark, Depressive Streak
Watch • 0:57
Mark Twain
Dark, Depressive Streak
Twain's humor is always colored by the knowledge that horrible things can happen in life.
Clip: S1 | 0:57
Sage
Watch • 0:43
Mark Twain
Sage
Twain was the sage of the country, everyone wanted a quote from him.
Clip: S1 | 0:43
Problem of Race
Watch • 0:27
Mark Twain
Problem of Race
Twain knew for America to be great, race had to be discussed.
Clip: S1 | 0:27
The Mississippi River
Watch • 0:18
Mark Twain
The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River was a sacred place for Twain.
Clip: S1 | 0:18