"Life on the Mississippi" is Mark Twain's depiction of his life on the Mississippi river as a steamboat pilot; beginning with a brief history of the river, continuing with a depiction of his early training as a steamboat pilot and following many years later with a description of his trip on a steamboat from St. Louis to New Orleans. Combined with many tall tales "Life on the Mississippi" is a charming depiction of a bygone era in American history.