As I am new to this list, I would first of all like to say a big hello to everyone. I am currently working the critical apparatus for the new Everyman edition of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huck Finn. This involves writing a short biography, chronology of his life and times, critical reception narrative, and suggestions for further reading -- oh and also notes. Most of this work is fairly straight forward, but the critical reception narrative and the suggestions are I have found in the past problematic. I do not want you to do my work for me, but I would like to know what books you feel would be helpful for a general reader approaching Twain for the first time, and something for undergrads. By the way I loved Huck Finn, especially the description of the river. The first Twain book I ever read was Innocents Abroad! Coming to Huck Finn later in life means that I missed reading it as a boy which for some is one of their more pleasurable childhood memories. I however enjoyed the humour -which I am sure I wouldn't have appreciated as a child. It is sadly the case with Alice in Wonderland - I read the annotated version! The only book which I did read as a youngster was Charles Dickens Oliver Twist - what a deprived childhood. With my past in mind, I'm all for encouraging people to read the classics. I spotted a typo, one of millions, I am currently working >>on<< Yours, Stephen Pain.