Personally, I prefer books which are slanted wierdly over those which are slanted conventionally. I love it when our controversies are related to Twain studies. This is much more interesting than the question of why Taylor's requests--that people not quote entire original messages, etc.--are seemingly ignored. Or how many pedantic beverages I am committed to buy in August in Elmira. Etcetera. I hadn't responded to Kathy's query because I haven't read both books. Between what Shelley wrote and what Shelley edited, Oxford Books took all my money before Andy's book was published. While I wait for my finances to recoup, I hope Kathy O'Connell will put her story online, so I'll have more previews to ponder. If Twainiacs are mean drunks, I'm going to renig on my beverage promise. larry marshburne