Mark Twain show's poster

Episode One

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.

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Episode One

Season 1 Episode 1 | 110m 44s | CC

Mark Twain tells the story of the writer’s extraordinary life.

Funding provided by General Motors Corporation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Connecticut Office of Tourism, CPB, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, Park Foundation