Labeled as subversive and politically controversial, Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was banned for its use of racial slurs and for portraying a mischievous, “unruly” protagonist as a poor role model. As part of Dover’s Banned Books series, this edition explores the novel’s historical context, its censorship battles, and its bold, enduring commentary on race and society.
After the Civil War, Samuel Clemens (1835-1910) left his small town to seek work as a riverboat pilot. As Mark Twain, the Missouri native found his place in the world. Author, journalist, lecturer, wit, and sage, Twain created enduring works that have enlightened and amused readers of all ages for generations.