A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
Mark Twain
Come and hear the strange tail of The Boss Hank Morgan, a modern day (at the time of publication) Connecticut Yankee who inexplicably finds himself transported to the court of the legendary King Arthur (as the title of the book implies). Hank, or simply, The Boss, as he comes to be most frequently known, quickly uses his modern day knowledge and education to pass himself off as a great magician, to get himself out of all sorts of surprising, (and frequently amusing) situations, as well as to advance the technological and cultural status of the nation in which he finds himself.
In the rather un-subtle sub-text of the story, Twain uses The Boss to express a surprisingly pragmatic and frequently contradictory philosophy. The Boss explores the relative merits of Democracy, and Monarchy, he expresses his views on the “Nature v. Nurture” debate, he frequently speaks forcefully against an established Church, but just as strongly advocates for religion and a variety of churches (just not a compulsory one) and he devotes at least one afternoon to introducing his companions to the concept of inflation. In a far more subtle, yet no less forceful manner, the Boss shares with the reader some views about taxation, slavery (both literal and wage slavery), trade unions, the origins of the German language, the nature of marriage, and probably most powerfully, death.
It is a tall order for a relatively brief text, but Twain manages it all with surprising clarity. No one will agree fully with the Boss on all of these matters, and I would be surprised if Twain himself would. In fact the Boss’s views are so pragmatic, and often contradictory, the reader is left to wonder if Twain himself is alternately speaking through the Boss, and setting him up as a straw man. Either way it is a delightful story and a great piece of American Literature, to say nothing of an excellent argument for education.
(Review written by Steve Andersen)
Author - Mark Twain.
Narrator - LibriVox Community.
Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Location:
United States
Description:
Come and hear the strange tail of The Boss Hank Morgan, a modern day (at the time of publication) Connecticut Yankee who inexplicably finds himself transported to the court of the legendary King Arthur (as the title of the book implies). Hank, or simply, The Boss, as he comes to be most frequently known, quickly uses his modern day knowledge and education to pass himself off as a great magician, to get himself out of all sorts of surprising, (and frequently amusing) situations, as well as to advance the technological and cultural status of the nation in which he finds himself. In the rather un-subtle sub-text of the story, Twain uses The Boss to express a surprisingly pragmatic and frequently contradictory philosophy. The Boss explores the relative merits of Democracy, and Monarchy, he expresses his views on the “Nature v. Nurture” debate, he frequently speaks forcefully against an established Church, but just as strongly advocates for religion and a variety of churches (just not a compulsory one) and he devotes at least one afternoon to introducing his companions to the concept of inflation. In a far more subtle, yet no less forceful manner, the Boss shares with the reader some views about taxation, slavery (both literal and wage slavery), trade unions, the origins of the German language, the nature of marriage, and probably most powerfully, death. It is a tall order for a relatively brief text, but Twain manages it all with surprising clarity. No one will agree fully with the Boss on all of these matters, and I would be surprised if Twain himself would. In fact the Boss’s views are so pragmatic, and often contradictory, the reader is left to wonder if Twain himself is alternately speaking through the Boss, and setting him up as a straw man. Either way it is a delightful story and a great piece of American Literature, to say nothing of an excellent argument for education. (Review written by Steve Andersen) Author - Mark Twain. Narrator - LibriVox Community. Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Language:
English
Chapter 1
Duration:00:19:06
Chapter 2
Duration:00:06:28
Chapter 3
Duration:00:14:05
Chapter 4
Duration:00:15:27
Chapter 5
Duration:00:07:57
Chapter 6
Duration:00:13:43
Chapter 7
Duration:00:16:06
Chapter 8
Duration:00:16:35
Chapter 9
Duration:00:16:08
Chapter 10
Duration:00:16:27
Chapter 11
Duration:00:11:30
Chapter 12
Duration:00:20:59
Chapter 13
Duration:00:11:26
Chapter 14
Duration:00:21:56
Chapter 15
Duration:00:09:44
Chapter 16
Duration:00:20:51
Chapter 17
Duration:00:16:00
Chapter 18
Duration:00:22:36
Chapter 19
Duration:00:26:39
Chapter 20
Duration:00:08:11
Chapter 21
Duration:00:18:37
Chapter 22
Duration:00:30:14
Chapter 23
Duration:00:25:29
Chapter 24
Duration:00:18:59
Chapter 25
Duration:00:24:40
Chapter 26
Duration:00:28:43
Chapter 27
Duration:00:22:42
Chapter 28
Duration:00:19:09
Chapter 29
Duration:00:12:13
Chapter 30
Duration:00:17:29
Chapter 31
Duration:00:24:38
Chapter 32
Duration:00:16:39
Chapter 33
Duration:00:16:22
Chapter 34
Duration:00:29:32
Chapter 35
Duration:00:27:35
Chapter 36
Duration:00:19:46
Chapter 37
Duration:00:09:29
Chapter 38
Duration:00:17:01
Chapter 39
Duration:00:06:48
Chapter 40
Duration:00:24:48
Chapter 41
Duration:00:18:58
Chapter 42
Duration:00:10:46
Chapter 43
Duration:00:27:08
Chapter 44
Duration:00:32:03
Chapter 45
Duration:00:10:10