Though known for his classic novels centering on young men coming of age, Mark Twain is equally esteemed for his short fiction, which often feature Connecticut Yankees, princes and paupers, and celebrated jumping frogs. Marked by their characteristic blend of humor and homespun insight, these major short fiction stories are discussed in this new volume, as well as other widely read tales such as "The Stolen White Elephant," "The Second Advent," and "The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg." Yale literary scholar Harold Bloom introduces this compilation of critical essays, which features a chronology of this prolific writer's life, a bibliography, and an index for quick reference.