Dear Colleagues;  I've read the installments from both Kevin & Joe, and
also have now read the material in the book, which just arrived here the
other day.

First, I hope the issues they bring up will not stop everyone on the LIST
from reading the book:  this wonderful volume, MT Under Fire, is really
just terrific;  What a resource!!  We are all indebted to Joe for this
accomplishment!

As for the brouhaha at the Forum, beginning with Kevin's review: those are
really interesting questions being asked.  As for fair use, I think given
the fact it is a scholarly work generating little or no profit, it is
"legal."  Now, whether it is "moral" or "ethical," I cannot say; but I
think the material was published in the interest of full disclosure of
"family business," so to speak.   Personally, I've been around the block in
the Twain world, with at least 4 week-long visits to Berkeley and 2 long
stays at Quarry Farm.  And yet I knew nothing about the heart of the
charges that Joe's book, and then Kevin, are addressing.   I'm not sure how
comfortable I would have felt  about airing those charges by and about
scholars still with us--scholars for whom I have the utmost respect and, I
hope, some friendship.   I can also say that the folks at the MT Project &
Papers, do heroic work, and we are all indebted to them and to Alan.   It
certainly makes me wonder if these issues came up during the editorial
project??   In short:  some surprising stuff...  but at about pp. 143-45,
only 3 pages, a very minor component to an otherwise awesome achievement.

So far, the silence on Joe's response, and regarding Kevin's remarks to
Joe, is deafening.  I think we can all understand why: most of us know each
other, and we'll be sitting at dinner together in just a few short months
in Elmira.  Still, some readers on here know me, and my willingness to be
blunt --  & frankly, I've felt like I (or someone) probably should say
something, for better or worse.

And here it is:    I have only the highest respect for everyone involved,
too.  Mainly:  MT Under Fire is just a hugely valuable work.  And I'm
grateful to Joe for writing it; and for Kevin for bringing up those
difficult issues.   But internal squabbles aside, I hope everyone will read
the book, and order one for your libraries.

 --hb



-- 
Prof. Harold K. Bush
Professor of English
3800 Lindell
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO  63108
314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h)
<www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>