WHAT IS MAN?
London: Watts & Co. "[Issued for the Rationalist Press Association, Limited]", 1910. 4 pp undated ads. Original very dark blue cloth.
First Published Edition of this essay written in the form of a dialogue between a cynical Old Man and an idealistic Young Man -- the former arguing that there is no such thing as free will, that every decision and action are the result of outside influences. It is considered one of the best examples of the pessimistic philosophy of Twain's later years.
It was published anonymously in New York in 1906 (250 privately-printed copies), as Twain feared backlash against its anti-religious theme; however, the friends to whom Twain gave copies did not think much of it, so it is surmised that many if not most of those 250 copies never reached the general public. Twain never did allow his authorship to be known during his lifetime; this Watts edition, issued seven months after his death, was the first time Twain was identified as the author. There was no American trade edition until 1917.
This copy is in fine condition except for very faint sunning. In our experience this is a none-too-common book. See Blanck 3490. Item #15898
Price: $295.00