175 years and still funny
"Georgia Scenes" is one of the classics of American Literature. If you think Samuel Clemens emerged from nowhere, read this book (as well as Baldwin's "Flush Times in Mississippi and Alabama") and become informed. The version I read was from Beehive Press, and they are to be commended. Beehive retained the author's original orthography, but borrowed illustrations from the first public printing, so you get the best of both worlds.
Be forewarned, Augustus Longstreet (CSA Gen. James Longstreet's uncle) is Ante-Bellum Southern in outlook, so is definitely NOT politically correct on race or gender. But characters like Ned Brace, Ransy Sniffle, and Billy Curlew are the legitimate ancestors of many of Mark Twain's creatures.
