Ron Chernow on Mark Twain

Acclaimed author Ron Chernow, of Hamilton fame, is one of the most renowned voices in history and politics. Recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal, Chernow has dedicated his life to telling the stories of some of the most notable figures in history. Join us as Chernow discusses his newest work, Mark Twain, a nuanced portrait of “the father of American literature.” Chernow draws on thousands of letters and hundreds of unpublished manuscripts to capture the exuberant genius whose career reflected the country’s westward expansion, industrialization and foreign wars, and became the white author of his generation who grappled most fully with the legacy of slavery. Hear from Chernow as he sheds light on the often maddening life of Mark Twain — from his start as a brash journalist to his days as the most notable political pundit in the U.S.