The Autobiography of Mark Twain · Chapter
A Call with W. D. Howells on General Grant explained
Twain recounts a visit with William Dean Howells to General Grant's office in New York, where Howells sought Grant's help to save his father's consulate position.
What happens
Twain recounts a visit with William Dean Howells to General Grant's office in New York, where Howells sought Grant's help to save his father's consulate position. Grant not only agreed but went beyond expectations, personally speaking to President Arthur. The chapter also details Twain's persistent but initially unsuccessful efforts to persuade Grant to write his memoirs, discussing the potential for enormous sales and the subscription publication plan.
Themes in this chapter
Character and Morality
Grant's generous and reliable character is highlighted through his willingness to go beyond what was asked.
The American Experience
The intersection of literary ambition, political influence, and military fame in post-Civil War America.
Characters to notice
- Mark Twain
Narrator and advocate for Grant's memoirs; arranges the meeting with Howells and Grant.
- William Dean Howells
Accompanies Twain to seek Grant's help for his father's consulate.
- Ulysses S. Grant
Agrees to help Howells; resists Twain's initial push to write memoirs; shares anecdotes about 'Squibob' Derby.
- Grover Cleveland
Mentioned as President Arthur (though historically Arthur was president at the time; Cleveland is listed in canon).
Key passages
“I said that the book would have an enormous sale; that it should be in two volumes, sold, in cash, at $3.50 apiece, and that the sale in two volumes would certainly reach half a million sets.”
Twain predicted that Grant's memoirs would sell extremely well, proposing a two-volume set at $3.50 each, with potential sales of half a million sets.
Twain's sales pitch to Grant about the commercial potential of his memoirs.
“He said that some day he would make very full notes and leave them behind him; and then, if his children chose to make them into a book, that would answer.”
Grant initially declined to write a memoir, suggesting he would leave notes for his children to compile posthumously.
Grant's reluctance to write his own memoirs despite Twain's encouragement.