The Lightning Bug and the Lightning - by Mark Dawidziak (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A critical biography contextualizing major events from Twain's life as they pertain to his writing and modern legacy, from the bestselling author of the Edgar Allen Poe biography A Mystery of Mysteries.

"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. 'tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning." ― Mark Twain

Mark Twain warned us of the many problems we find ourselves facing today. He cautioned us, often in ferociously humorous ways, about the things that would be used to divide us: politics, religion, prejudice, ignorance, bigotry, financial disparity, class warfare, envy, greed, and more. At a time that has seen him gradually dropped out of curriculum in public and private schools, The Lightning Bug and the Lightning explores why we need to be listening to Mark Twain's words, now more than ever.

In the style of his bestselling Edgar Allen Poe biography A Mystery of Mysteries, Mark Dawidziak draws not only on his decades of research as an internationally recognized Twain scholar, but also his 45 years of playing Twain on stage, which has given him first-hand familiarity with the effect Mark Twain's words have on an audience, and why Mark Twain does indeed matter.

Along the way, Dawidziak will also draw on the many discussions he has had over the decades with such winners of the Mark Twain Prize as Carl Reiner, George Carlin, Lily Tomlin, Bob Newhart, Neil Simon, and Carol Burnett, as well as Twain scholars, biographers, documentarians (Ken Burns, most prominent among them) and fans, including many actors who played him (Hal Holbrook, Jason Robards, James Garner).

Provocative, poignant, at times heartbreaking, and often hilarious, The Lightning Bug and the Lightning will shatter the myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes that have surrounded Twain once and for all.

Review Quotes

Praise for Mark Dawidziak and A Mystery of Mysteries:

"Nobody gets Mark Twain the way Mark Dawidziak does." --Ken Burns

"A biography that reads like a gripping, well-reported feature story.... [Dawidziak's] informed enthusiasm sweeps the reader irresistibly along." -The Washington Post

"Part high-speed tour of Poe's tumultuous career and part cold-case investigation of his premature and enigmatic end." -Wall Street Journal

"This bio's mode of presentation is almost as striking as its subject's life...vibrant." -Washington Independent Review of Books

"Written like a novel with frequent quotes and stirring accounts that paint vivid details...a page-turner from start to finish." -Forbes

"Excellent...Dawidziak's biography reaches beyond the myth of Poe to reveal the actual man and writer, all while painting a vivid picture of the era in which he lived." -Bookpage (starred)

"In this intrigue-filled offering, Dawidziak achieves the difficult feat of delivering a fresh biography of Edgar Allan Poe...this has revelations to spare." -Publishers Weekly (starred)

"Dawidziak's thoroughly researched investigation meticulously explores the various theories surrounding Poe's death while vividly capturing the public's ongoing fascination with this quintessential tortured soul." -Booklist (starred)

"A brisk, satisfying biography of a literary icon who still fascinates." -Kirkus Reviews

"A Mystery of Mysteries is, itself, a mystery worthy of Poe's fictional sleuth C. Auguste Dupin." -New York Journal of Books

"A Mystery of Mysteries will surely fascinate even the mildly-curious Edgar Allan Poe fan...a poignant analysis." -The Week, "8 must-read books in 2023"

"Even those familiar with Poe's story will find plenty of surprises here, while those who know him only by reputation will get a better-rounded view of a man who was far more than an author of a few scary stories." -The Columbus Dispatch

"Cleverly constructed...With rich detail, engaging prose, Dawidziak offers an intriguing and welcome addition to Poe scholarship." -Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Dawidziak releases [Poe] from this caricature, emphasizing Poe's work as a literary critic, his fine sense of humor and the vast amount of work he produced." -Akron Beacon Journal

"Holds precious information about Edgar Allan Poe's life and professional career beyond the mainstream stereotypical picture that the general public owns of the American poet...an entertaining and engaging read." -The Edgar Allan Poe Review

"Edgar Allan Poe has brooded over the world's comprehension as the dark prince of horror tales: a hollow-eyed specter surrounded by candle-tossed shadows, a raven on his writing table, an empty cognac glass at his elbow. In this revelatory biography, Mark Dawidziak honors the Gothic nature of Poe's work, yet sweeps open the curtains to throw full light upon this masterful poet and shaper of American literature." -Ron Powers, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Flags of Our Fathers and Mark Twain: A Life

"A poignant and realistic picture of Poe through the fascinating black prism of his mysterious death." --J.W. Ocker, Edgar Award-winning author of Poe-Land

"Mark Dawidziak plumbs the mysteries of Poe's life and career with extraordinary skill and knowledge. Much like Montresor leading Fortunato through the winding catacombs, he leaves the reader surprised and thoroughly ensnared." -Daniel Stashower, Edgar Award-winning author of The Hour of Peril and The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Mary Rogers, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Invention of Murder

About the Author

MARK DAWIDZIAK is author or editor of about 25 books, including three studies of landmark television series. His most recent book, the Edgar Allen Poe biography A Mystery of Mysteries, was nominated for numerous awards, including an Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, and Ohioana Award. He also is an internationally recognized Mark Twain scholar, and five of his books are about the iconic American writer. He spent 43 years as a television, film and theater critic at such newspapers as the Akron Beacon Journal and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. His work on the fiction side of the street also includes horror novels, short stories, and comic book scripts. He lives in Ohio.