So perfectly imperfect

So I always thought that historical biographies were too... reverential. People looking perfect in the rear-view mirror. Plus, authors who love American history often don't share my perspective aka cynicism.

I really didn't want to finish this book. Sam Clemens had a crappy, nervous, white-knuckled, bombastic and rocky life. As he limped and gasped and punned his way through it, he changed how people write. Period. How great is that?