Although it seemed a bit strange to me that Mark Twain detoured away from his usual straight works of fiction to something that is obviously based on fantasy, I am from Connecticut, so I embraced this novel with open arms. What surprised me the most was that it was in the junior fiction section of my local library, and the more I read, the more surprised I was. I was an advanced reader when I was young, but I would have been hard pressed to understand or get much out of this book anytime before high school. That said, I was fairly riveted throughout the novel. Hank Morgan's character was amusing, resourceful, and altogether human. After reading so much about the "perfection" of Arthurian and Round Table society, it's nice to hear about what life would have been like even if King Arthur and his Round Table did exist. The ending was distinctly bittersweet, and I can honestly say that this has become one of my favorite classics.

With so many versions of this novel to choose from, it's tough to pick the right one off the shelf. The Modern Library's version is wonderful. I highly receommend it. Well made and bound for easy reading, this novel even feels good in the hand. All the original illustrations are here, with the text wrapped around them marvelously. A true pleasure to read.

A fan of Mark Twain and a fond reader of Prince and the Pauper, I recommend this read for children's classics series. Though not for a supplement read in the classroom, undoubtedly the book is a great read as you meet the characters:

Hank Morgan, the Connecticut Yankee
Clarence, a page who become Hank's right hand man
Merlin, the King's magician
King Arthur, King of England
Knights of the Round Table - Sir Launcelet, etc.
King's wife, an evil queen Fay, an old abbot, etc.

Having spent his boy hood in a town in Mississippi, Mark Twain is one of the America's greatest and most beloved writers. In this book, Hank Morgan wakes to find himself in King Arthur's England. The Yankee uses all his scientific knowledge to be a Chief Minister in the King's Court. He outwits the magician Merlin and gracefully win the kingdom. There are exciting chapters like the Ogre's Castle, The Yankee and the King sold as Slaves, Yankees fight with the knives, in merlin's cave. Was it a dream and did he get back to Connecticut - You got to read the book. Seriously, if there were no video games or the television shows, kids would have loved to read these classics or rathar listen to the adventure tales like these. A good read.

I've seen all of the one-star reviews of this book and they all seemed to be done by fourteen year olds with no imagination, and no understanding that bad grammar is to be left at AIM. Well, I am twelve, and I thought this book was wonderful. This was my first truly "grown up" book I've read, mostly sticking to my age level before, but I really liked it. If you like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it makes the book doubly interesting, because you can see how a person from the 1800's parodied medieval times versus a person from the 1960's. The only reason I gave this book four stars is because sometimes Twain did go on a little too long with the details.

I really think you should read this book if you haven't had your mind melted by video games and graphic novels. (nothing wrong with those of course, but there is too much of a good thing...)

In A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain, a conecticut from the 19th centuries brings modernization into the 5-6th century and seems to change the world at that time. He is named the Boss after making amazing feats and everyone becomes scared of him and in awe. he puts Merlin the magician into shame and the Boss becomes the famous minister of king Arthur and the magician everyone is scared of. Yet, Hank( the connecticut's real name) is not a real magician. He uses his knowledge of the earths reaction and science of the 19 century to perform what seem like miracle and magic to the people of the 5 and 6th century.
Hank goes through many things in the 5th century. In the end, all of britain goes against him and 53 other people, but he prevails using his knowledge and cunning. He sleeps for 16 centuries until the time comes for him to wake up and be in his own time again.