A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Come and hear the strange tale of The Boss Hank Morgan, a modern day (at the time of publication) Connecticut Yankee who inexplicably finds himself transported to the court of the legendary King Arthur (as the title of the book implies). Hank, or simply, The Boss, as he comes to be most frequently known, quickly uses his modern day knowledge and education to pass himself off as a great magician, to get himself out of all sorts of surprising, (and frequently amusing) situations, as well as to advance the technological and cultural status of the nation in which he finds himself.

In the rather un-subtle sub-text of the story, Twain uses The Boss to express a surprisingly pragmatic and frequently contradictory philosophy. The Boss explores the relative merits of Democracy, and Monarchy, he expresses his views on the “Nature v. Nurture” debate, he frequently speaks forcefully against an established Church, but just as strongly advocates for religion and a variety of churches (just not a compulsory one) and he devotes at least one afternoon to introducing his companions to the concept of inflation. In a far more subtle, yet no less forceful manner, the Boss shares with the reader some views about taxation, slavery (both literal and wage slavery), trade unions, the origins of the German language, the nature of marriage, and probably most powerfully, death.

It is a tall order for a relatively brief text, but Twain manages it all with surprising clarity. No one will agree fully with the Boss on all of these matters, and I would be surprised if Twain himself would. In fact the Boss’s views are so pragmatic, and often contradictory, the reader is left to wonder if Twain himself is alternately speaking through the Boss, and setting him up as a straw man. Either way it is a delightful story and a great piece of American Literature, to say nothing of an excellent argument for education.

(Review written by Steve Andersen)

Genre(s): Action & Adventure Fiction, Fantastic Fiction, Satire

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Preface Steve Andersen
00:19:06
Play 01 Chapter 01 Steve Andersen
00:06:28
Play 02 Chapter 02 Steve Andersen
00:14:05
Play 03 Chapter 03 Steve Andersen
00:15:27
Play 04 Chapter 04 Steve Andersen
00:07:57
Play 05 Chapter 05 Steve Andersen
00:13:44
Play 06 Chapter 06 Steve Andersen
00:16:06
Play 07 Chapter 07 Steve Andersen
00:16:36
Play 08 Chapter 08 Steve Andersen
00:16:08
Play 09 Chapter 09 Steve Andersen
00:16:27
Play 10 Chapter 10 Steve Andersen
00:11:30
Play 11 Chapter 11 Steve Andersen
00:20:59
Play 12 Chapter 12 Steve Andersen
00:11:27
Play 13 Chapter 13 Steve Andersen
00:21:57
Play 14 Chapter 14 Steve Andersen
00:09:45
Play 15 Chapter 15 Steve Andersen
00:20:52
Play 16 Chapter 16 Steve Andersen
00:16:01
Play 17 Chapter 17 Steve Andersen
00:22:36
Play 18 Chapter 18 Steve Andersen
00:26:40
Play 19 Chapter 19 Steve Andersen
00:08:11
Play 20 Chapter 20 Steve Andersen
00:18:36
Play 21 Chapter 21 Steve Andersen
00:30:15
Play 22 Chapter 22 Steve Andersen
00:25:30
Play 23 Chapter 23 Steve Andersen
00:18:59
Play 24 Chapter 24 Steve Andersen
00:24:41
Play 25 Chapter 25 Steve Andersen
00:28:44
Play 26 Chapter 26 Steve Andersen
00:22:42
Play 27 Chapter 27 Steve Andersen
00:19:09
Play 28 Chapter 28 Steve Andersen
00:12:14
Play 29 Chapter 29 Steve Andersen
00:17:29
Play 30 Chapter 30 Steve Andersen
00:24:38
Play 31 Chapter 31 Steve Andersen
00:16:39
Play 32 Chapter 32 Steve Andersen
00:16:22
Play 33 Chapter 33 Steve Andersen
00:29:32
Play 34 Chapter 34 Steve Andersen
00:27:36
Play 35 Chapter 35 Steve Andersen
00:19:47
Play 36 Chapter 36 Steve Andersen
00:09:30
Play 37 Chapter 37 Steve Andersen
00:17:01
Play 38 Chapter 38 Steve Andersen
00:06:48
Play 39 Chapter 39 Steve Andersen
00:24:49
Play 40 Chapter 40 Steve Andersen
00:18:59
Play 41 Chapter 41 Steve Andersen
00:10:47
Play 42 Chapter 42 Steve Andersen
00:27:09
Play 43 Chapter 43 Steve Andersen
00:32:03
Play 44 Chapter 44 Steve Andersen
00:10:10