Mark Twain, with his wife Livy and daughter Clara, went on an around-the-world lecture tour from May of 1895 to August of 1896. He chronicled to journey in his book "Following the Equator". His book did not include the first leg of this journey, crossing the North American continent to Victoria, British Columbia, where he took ship. This first leg was described in his tour manager's, James B. Pond, chronicle. This publication uses Pond's journal as a basis for describing the cities, towns and villages, the hotels and venues used and the railroads involved in the journey.

In 1861, with the on-set of the Civil War, Sam Clemens gave up his profession as a Mississippi Riverboat Pilot and headed west. His brother, Orion, had been appointed Secretary of the Territory of Nevada by Abraham Lincoln. Sam paid for the journey on the Overland Stage, the same route as used by the Pony Express. Richard F. Burton, in his quest to visit religious centers, decided to see Salt Lake City. He took the same route in 1860. This publication borrows from their respective narratives, Mark Twain's "Roughing It" and Burton's "The City of the Saints".

Mark Twain and George W. Cable took on a lecture tour from November of 1884 to February of 1885. This publication begins with a narrative of the tour consisting of Twain's correspondence with his wife, Livy and other sources. This narrative contains pointers to information on the cities, towns and villages of the tour; the hotels and venues; and, the railroads used for traveling the route.

“It was the only club I took any interest in or cared to belong to..” Sam Clemens’ involvement with The Players and with members of the club had greater significance in his life than I’ve found mentioned in biographies. The club was there for him in moments of great fame and achievement and in times of great personal tragedy. It provided him with a home when he was separated from his wife and family, during times of financial worries.