TERRE HAUTE —
Speaking to a gymnasium filled with Vigo County middle school students, Michael Shelden, a successful writer and longtime educator, followed the advice of Mark Twain who said public speakers should keep their presentations short.
“After 12 minutes every audience knows that the speaker ‘ought to be gagged.’ After 15 minutes, ‘They know that he ought to be shot.’”
Shelden quoted Twain giving that advice in his new book, “Mark Twain: Man in White.” Shelden also followed that advice during a 15-minute presentation to the students of Honey Creek Middle School on Tuesday afternoon during the school’s annual writers fair.
This is Shelden’s fourth book. The Indiana State University professor of English has also written biographies of British novelist and social critic Cyril Connolly, author George Orwell and screenwriter, essayist and novelist Graham Greene. Shelden’s biography on Orwell earned him a Pulitzer Prize nomination in 1992.
Shelden, who has taught English at ISU for the past 30 years, told the Honey Creek Middle School students that Twain wore white in the final years of his life because white was the opposite of the traditional mourning color, black.
“I want to go out in white,” Shelden said, quoting the famous American writer.
The book focuses on the period from 1906 to 1910, the year of Twain’s death. According to a recent review of “Mark Twain: The Man in White” in The Christian Science Monitor, Shelden’s goal was to “reverse the common viewpoint that Twain’s old age was merely a sad and uneventful countdown toward death.”
The book definitely seems to achieve that goal. Twain, despite the deaths of his wife and a beloved daughter, threw parties, helped a group of slum children start a theater and more.
The inspiration for the book on Twain’s final years came from a four-hour newspaper interview Shelden had in 2001 with the late actor Christopher Reeve, he told the students. Reeve, who was paralyzed from the neck down after a horseback riding accident, had a positive attitude even when faced with his personal tragedy. Like Mark Twain, Reeve made the most of the last years of his life.
Reeve “smiled almost the whole time I was with him,” Shelden told the students. Many bad things happen in life that you cannot control, he said. “You do have control over your attitude.”
Twain lived the final years of his life joyfully and apparently always aware that he would be remembered in the future. “He was living as if he’d live forever,” Shelden told the students. “He acted as if he’d be immortal.”
It took Shelden four years to write his latest book, he said. He has already started work on his next project – a biography of Winston Churchill, focusing on the famous British leader’s earlier years.
After Shelden’s talk, which included photographs of Twain and Reeve, several students approached the author to say hello. One even asked for his autograph.
“I love getting out and speaking to kids,” Shelden said. “Many of these are our future [university] students.”
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com
Top Story 3
Related Photos
-
Reading and writing: Honey Creek Middle School 6th grader Anne Hubbard looks through the writings of her classmate Hannah Weber from her display in the foyer of the school. Jim Avelis
-
Reader: Honey Creek Middle School student Harrison Leech looks over one of the displays students created for the schools writers fair. Jim Avelis
-
Twain fan: Michael Shelden presents a slide show for the students at Honey Creek Middle School Tuesday afternoon. Shelden, who teaches at Indiana State University. recently finished a book on Mark Twain. Jim Avelis
Discussion
Honey Creek holds annual writers fair
ISU prof Michael Shelden guest speaker
- Top Story 3
-
-
Afternoon Update: Fire chief says search almost complete in Oklahoma
The storm killed at least 24 people, including at least nine children.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
UPDATE: 5 killed, 6 injured in I-70 van crash in Illinois
ST. LOUIS — A van carrying church members returning from a California gathering careened off of a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times today, killing five people and sending six others to hospitals, authorities said.
-
2 children reported dead from Indianapolis fire
INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities say some autistic children lived in the Indianapolis condominium unit where a fire has killed two children.
-
Update: Oklahoma, other tornado-hit states brace for more
SHAWNEE, Okla. — When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.
-
Taylor Swift wins 8 trophies at Billboard Awards
LAS VEGAS — Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.
-
10 Things to Know for Monday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday, May 20:
-
Longtime weatherman Jesse Walker relates well to people of Wabash Valley
While in middle and high school, Jesse Walker developed a strong interest in the weather. He thought about a career at the National Weather Service or at a storm prediction center, but the idea of becoming a television meteorologist never entered his mind.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
A battle of secret tactics
The embarrassing arrest of a suspected CIA officer in Moscow is the latest reminder that, even after the Cold War, the U.S. and Russia are engaged in an espionage battle with secret tactics, spying devices and training that sometimes isn't enough to avoid being caught.
-
UPDATE: Fire damages buildings in downtown Greencastle
GREENCASTLE, Ind. — Fire badly damaged several buildings today near the courthouse square in Greencastle, with flames shooting through the roofs as firefighters from several communities were called in to the central Indiana city to help.
-
‘A Song for Indiana’ to raise money for Dresser sculpture
Art Spaces will present “A Song for Indiana – The Paul Dresser Project” at 5:30 p.m. on June 6 at the Holiday Inn of Terre Haute.
-
MARK BENNETT: Local summer music series idea remains a good one
One-of-a-kind ideas happen rarely.
As the biblical adage goes, there is nothing new under the sun. We humans succeed occasionally, inventing electricity, automobiles, telephones and the Internet. Invariably, though, someone else insists, “Hey, my grandpa thought of that years before Edison.” -
Rapper Drake leads BET Awards with 12 nominations
NEW YORK — He started from the bottom, but now he’s on top at the BET Awards: Drake has 12 nominations. BET announced the nominees Tuesday. Rappers Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz are up for eight awards each.
-
Popular psychologist Joyce Brothers dead at 85
Joyce Brothers, the pop psychologist who pioneered the television advice show in the 1950s and enjoyed a long and prolific career as a syndicated columnist, author, and television and film personality, has died. She was 85.
-
More than just a mother, now she's your 'friend'
Josh Knoller, a young professional in New York City, spent years refusing his mother's "Friend Request" on Facebook before, eventually, "caving in."
-
Terre Haute’s Judson Hill band to unveil new album
The four-member group hopes its new album, “Beauty in Goodbye,” catches ears in the recording industry. They’ll unveil the 10-song CD in their hometown of Terre Haute this weekend, and play it live in March at Nashville’s iconic 12th & Porter club.
-
VIDEO: Mural unveiling today at Children's Museum
The public unveiling of the mural "Flightful Fantasy: We Can Fly, We Can Fly!" is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today, Oct. 5, on the third floor of the Terre Haute Children's Museum at Eighth Street and Wabash Avenue.
-
Motorcycle ride to celebrate Mellencamp’s birthday, support charities
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle rides in southern Indiana have plans to host a Hurts So Good charity ride as a tribute to Seymour native John Mellencamp in honor of his 61st birthday on Sunday, Oct. 7.
-
J.K. Rowling’s debut novel for adults worth a read
“The Casual Vacancy” (Little, Brown and Company), by J.K. Rowling.
So look, here’s the thing: This. Is. Not. A. Children’s. Book. If you’re looking for what made Harry Potter magical — Wizards! Spells! Flying Broomsticks! — you’re not going to find it. -
SLIDESHOW: This year's 15 hottest toys
Is it too early to start your holiday shopping? Not according to Toys R Us, which just released its "Hot Toy List" for 2012. Check out the top 15 toys that made the list. Find all 50 at toysrus.com/hottoys.
-
Silly Safaris brings live show to Children’s Museum
Do you want to get really close to some amazing animals? Would you like to touch some of your favorites? Then join the Terre Haute Children’s Museum at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, for a live animal show with Silly Safaris.
-
VIDEO: Mark Bennett: Hoosier trio dodges ditches on way to Terre Haute Blues Fest
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band has a critically acclaimed new album and video, and will perform Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Blues at the Crossroads Festival in downtown Terre Haute.
-
VIDEO: Outdoor Indiana magazine features Shades State Park, namesake of Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
Outdoor Indiana magazine’s September-October issue features Shades State Park, located near Waveland in Parke, Montgomery and Fountain counties. Once known as The Shades of Death before it became a state park, it’s the most primitive state park in Indiana.
-
Art of the camera phone: Best photo apps
There are hundreds of apps out there for the iPhone photographer — some great, others less so. But just as with coffee, it's all a matter of taste. The fun thing is, it's only your own taste that matters.
-
Take a trip to Little Italy
Where can you find authentic Italy and be welcomed as an “honorary Italian” during Labor Day weekend in the Wabash Valley? Only in Clinton can visitors find themselves taking a step back in time and enjoying a piece of history created by Italian immigrants.
-
Listen to radios? Watch TVs? Not for the Class of ’16
Those born mostly in 1994 see the world in a much different way.
-
Max Jones: Dances for CHANCES — great fun for worthy cause
Many years ago — too many to ponder at the moment — I joined a community theater troupe in Sullivan and had the opportunity to perform in several Broadway musicals. In one instance, I was fortunate to have the lead role portraying George M. Cohan in the musical “George M!”
-
Mark Bennett: Food hub puts focus on overlooked sector of state
The ideal setting for a campaign ad is rural Indiana.
Candidates crave to be filmed strolling through rows of bean fields, wearing rolled-up sleeves, jeans and boots, and pointing into the distance, while a farmer in bib-overalls and a grain cap looks on in admiration. -
The call you can't answer with an iPhone to your ear
On family vacations, it's important for parents to be "present" (that is, not glued to their smartphones).
- More Top Story 3 Headlines
-
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye
Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download
IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
