Ignorance, Confidence, and Filthy Rich Friends: The Business Adventures of Mark Twain, Chronic Speculator and Entrepreneur

While the entire world knows Mark Twain as the renowned authorof many classic American novels, few people are aware that he wasalso a highly successful businessman. In fact, more than half ofhis life was consumed by moneymaking pursuits, which often resultedin writing projects being neglected--but at the same time, theseadventures were the inspiration behind many of the characters foundin his books.In Ignorance, Confidence, and Filthy Rich Friends, Peter Krasscaptures a little-known side of this American icon and details theroller coaster ride of his business ventures in a dramatic,entertaining, and informative narrative style. From Twain's time asthe founder of his own publishing house--where he made a smallfortune publishing General Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs--to his forayinto venture capitalism and investment in numerous start-up firms,to his focus on his own inventions, this engaging book reveals theMark Twain that few of us know: the no-nonsense, successfulAmerican businessman.