Jump to navigation

Search form

  • My Account
  • Donate

Lapham’s Quarterly

  • About
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • All Issues
    • Preamble
    • Essays
    • Voices in Time
    • Contributors
    • Charts & Graphs
    • Conversations
    • Miscellany
    • Maps
    • Quotes
  • Blogs
    • Roundtable Insight and analysis from renowned writers and thinkers.
    • Déjà Vu Is history repeating itself? the Déja Vu blog investigates...
  • Store
  • Podcast
  • Donate
  • Events
Subscribe Now

Preamble

The Solid Nonpareil

By Lewis H. Lapham

From Mesopotamia to Mark Twain, the question has remained the same for thousands of years—who’s laughing now?

More

Black and white photograph of a clown laughing in front of a storefront.

Essay

Split Personalities

By Andrew McConnell Stott

Is it a condition of comic genius to be always wrestling with demons?

More

Black and white photograph of Mark Twain sitting between two men.

Essay

Once Upon a Time in the West

By Ben Tarnoff

How a simple story of a man and his talented frog made Mark Twain a national celebrity.

More

Connect

Learn More

  • About
  • Masthead
  • Press
  • Audio
  • Interactives
  • Internships
  • Contact
  • Legal

Outreach

  • American Agora Foundation
  • Principal Supporters
  • Programs
  • Janus Society
  • Donate
  • News & Events
  • Decades Ball

Stay in Touch

Subscribe to

Lapham’s Newsletter