Joshi, a freelance writer, scholar, and editor, brings together a collection of 20 essays by Mark Twain (1835-1910) on religion, such as the central essay "What is Man?" (1906), which considers
human behavior and argues that actions are the results of outside influences. Others critique religious exclusivity, the appalling treatment of animals by humans, the origin of evil, the Ten
Commandments, and free will. Joshi provides notes to the essays, and in the introduction, a historical overview of Twain's attitudes towards religion throughout his life. There is no index.
Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)