Well, based on the quasi reviews and comments here, I bit the bullet and ordered the Twain set. Best price I could come up with--after canvassing all the local stores and chains (and checking out the Net)--was $195 at The Strand in New York City (thanks to Jon Miller's post). Add another $20 for USPS book rate (as UPS, the store's preferred shipping method, is prohibitively expensive from NYC to Honolulu). They have a toll-free # (800-366-3664), but it's only for catalog orders. I used (212) 473-1452 and ended up dealing with Scott at ext. 14. Thanks to all contributors for their comments and advice. Aloha from the Sandwich Islands, Mac Simpson Disclaimer: I have no financial connection with The Strand, except that they now have $215 of my money!