Those with a serious interest in Mark Twain -- the man, the author, his life, his writings -- will cherish the day they decided to purchase this 2-volume Twain reference work.

Volume 1 covers Twain's writings. Arranged alphabetically entries on major characters and locations within the work, and bibliography. For shorter works, shorter -- but still very informative -- entries.

Volume 2 covers Twain's life and times: "People, Places, and Topics" as the author puts it. Entries arranged alphabetically, like an encyclopedia. Covering people, places, and topics that you'd expect it to, and hundreds of others you're pleasantly surprised to find.

Other features include a chronology, glossary, bibliography, maps, and a very helpful index.

The great thing, to me (as an amateur, non-academic Twain devotee) is that Mr. Rasmussen, although quite scholarly, writes in an accessible, straightforward manner blessedly devoid of high-priest-literary- academia argot.

For those of us who love Twain and his works, part of the joy is experiencing the eras and places in which he lived. The more you read about Twain, the more you learn about 19th Century and early 20th Century American history and culture -- and due to Twain's world travels and writings on same, facets of world history and culture as well. That is but one of the many joys of digging into a work like this.

Together, the two volumes contain over 1,000 pages. But because the work is printed in two volumes and the dimensions are reasonable (not over-sized), they are easy to handle and to read -- not heavy or foreboding. Sure, you won't sit down and read the work straight-through, but not will the book gather dust as a "mere" reference book. You can pick it up and spend some quality leisure time with it as well.

As to the book's price,let me put it this way: If you are seriously interested in Mark Twain's life and works -- and topics related to his life and works -- you should cut down on your food and clothing expenses if necessary to save up enough money to purchase this. It's that good.

If you could have only one Mark Twain reference guide on your shelf, this would be the book to choose. This two volume set could more properly be titled EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MARK TWAIN BUT NEVER EVEN KNEW ENOUGH TO ASK. It is a massive desk dictionary whose first volume provides plot summaries of all of Twain's works, describes each of his characters, and includes critical background materials. The second volume is a desk dictionary of every person, place, and topic pertaining to Twain's life and writings, along with a very useful chronology of his entire life, and an extensive index. Mark Twain lovers will read these volumes cover to cover with pleasure and then refer back to them for years to come. Those seeking a more informative detailed analysis of this work may go to the Mark Twain Forum and read the review written by esteemed Mark Twain scholar Alan Gribben.