The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.In CliffsNotes on The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, you experience the exciting adventures of a typical boy during the mid-nineteenth century. The characters - Tom himself, Becky Thatcher, Huck Finn, Injun Joe, and Aunt Polly - have become part of American heritage.Use this study guide to help you discover all of Tom's dreams and fears - and perhaps a few of your own! You'll also gain insight into the man behind this American classic - Mark Twain, a.k.a. Samuel Clemens. Other features that help you study include Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays A review section that tests your knowledge A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sitesClassic literature or modern modern-day treasure - you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

A Fullbright scholar at the University of Vienna, James L. Roberts is Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He has taught extensively at major universities throughout the world.