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>