Folks; I'm still working through the implications of all this about AHF, but can now throw in a few cents -- sitting here in LA and waiting for the book exhibit to open (it was NOT open yesterday, for some unexplained reason). I begin with an anecdote about Ted Williams -- who, when he passed, was considered the "greatest living ballplayer." Immediately the debate ensued, about who was his logical replacement. Was it Warren Spahn? Willie Mays? Henry Aaron??? or (gasp!) a pitcher -- Bob Gibson? Bob Feller (who just died a few months ago)?? Anyway, yes-- I do have a point. It seems strange, even uncanny, that this debate is timed just after the passing of Lou Budd, our own "best ballplayer," by many accounts. Because in my view, there are just a few other special scholars whose name I would utter as a potential new "dean" of our craft. One of them is Alan Gribben. I admit I was very surprised to hear that he was behind this new project. But for now, and with all my reservations about what this brouhaha entails -- I'd like to give Alan a little leeway here, and I also think I'd like to speak on his behalf as one of the kindest and most knowledgeable Twain scholars. There have been a few (vague) comments on here directed at Alan that approached the line between fair and mean, and that is very unfortunate. I do have reservations about this new, edited (bowdlerized?) text -- but Alan's credentials are impeccable and his character is well known to all of us. I guess I'd mostly like to corner him and hear his explanation, because I'm sure he has one. -- Harold K. Bush, Ph.D Professor of English Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO 63108 314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h) <www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>