UA and Hoole Library will Host Mark Twain Book Signing and Lecture

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Jeffery Alan Melton will be on The University of Alabama campus to sign copies of his new book and give a short lecture on Thursday, Nov. 21. He will be at the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library on the second floor of the Mary Harmon Bryant Hall, 500 Hackberry Lane.

He will sign copies of his book “Mark Twain, Travel Book, and Tourism: The Tide of a Great Popular Movement” from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and give a short lecture from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Melton is a resident of Tuscaloosa and an associate professor of English at Auburn University Montgomery. The University of Alabama Press published his book.

Melton says his book re-evaluates an often overlooked aspect of Mark Twain’s writing — his travel narratives — and demonstrates their centrality to his identity and thinking. This book becomes important to an appreciation of Twain and as a significant contributor of American letters.

In 2001 Melton received the Elizabeth Agee Prize for his work on this book. The Agee Prize is awarded for outstanding scholarship in the field of American literary studies.

During the signing and lecture the first edition hardcover of Melton’s book will be available for sale at 10 percent off retail price. Titles by Twain also will be available for sale.

In conjunction with Melton’s visit, an exhibition of early editions of Twain’s travel writing from the Hoole Rare Books Collection will be on exhibit through Dec. 20, 2002.

Alabama Public Television is showing Ken Burns’ “American Stories” about Mark Twain on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 25 at 8 p.m.