Life on the Mississippi is a memoir by Mark Twain detailing his days as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before and after the American Civil War.

The book begins with a brief history of the river. It continues with anecdotes of Twain's training as a steamboat pilot, as the 'cub' of an experienced pilot.

He describes, with great affection, the science of navigating the ever-changing Mississippi River.

In the second half, the book describes Twain's return,