I get messages from all sorts of people from all sorts of locations about all sorts of things. Over the weekend I got two unconnected messages about two of my book reviews: Firstly, Hello, This will sound weird considering I don't know you. But, I am halfway through reading "The Partner" by John Grisham and have a report due Monday (!!!) and I just need help around the last half of the book. I saw that you wrote a review for amazon.com and thought you might help? thanks in advance!! WMK Secondly, Hi there Duncan, I just came across your minor tribute website to Robert Tressell, and thought I would first of all say congratulations, and that you've created an interesting site on an extremely good book, and an extremely interesting man. Secondly, I am doing a brief university paper on a novel of my choice, in which I am required to apply a traditional literary criticism, a history of the book, and a history of the reading of the book. I have chosen the RTP as the case study for the paper. (for a number of different reasons). Although I have most of the information that I need to complete it, I would like to somehow find out a little more about the original publishers...how they marketed the book, what group of people they targeted in order to sell the book etc etc... As well as this, I would like to find out more about what type of people read it, how much it cost them to buy it, how many copies were originally sold etc etc. I have managed to come across a copy of 'one of the damned' by Fred Ball, but unfortunately it is located in a reference library here in Brisbane and I can't borrow it out. I'm not sure if you've read this book yourself, but if you haven't, I would highly recommend it. It really is an extremely interesting read. Finally, any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated, even if it is a link to a website, or any books that you could recommend to me. As I said earlier, I've got nearly all the information that I need (and the paper is nearly due), but anymore information that you think would help would be great. Thanks very much in advance DL Brisbane, Australia As far as WMK was concerned, I had to say I read the book over a year ago but can't remember the full details except that the twist in the tail at the end of the book is ... well, you wouldn't want me to reveal that, now, would you? I was happy to hear WMK reply, though, as follows: You'll be surprised because that actually did help.. Quite a bit really. Thank you so much! I'd be screwed if not for that, now I'm only partially screwed, but I'll find a way. ;) Thanks again!! WMK HTH as they say! For DL of Brisbane I said that I'd put him in touch with Reg Johnson, the widower of Robert Tressell's grand daughter. Reg maintains the Tressell family papers ... Reg replied, as I couldn't give his email without permission: Many thanks for your message of this morning. It was a pleasure to hear from you. I appreciate your passing on the message from Declan Law of Brisbane. The world of Tressell never stands still and we never know where the next enquiry will come from. I will of course be pleased to help Declan in any way possible to research his material. If you could let me have his e_mail I will write to introduce myself and welcome him to the world of Tressell. Currently, I am in contact with six other students who et their sights on attaining their PhDs. Interestingly, some of the info DL seeks will be answered in the new book 'Tressell'. This goes to the printers tomorrow and should be in the bookshops later in he month. It will be an interesting and informative addition to the Tressell story. Your own website is a valuable contribution to spreading a greater understanding of Robert and the RTP. ... Another interesting devlopment is that tomorrow a new website is to be launched. This is presented by the London Metropolitan University, custodians of the TUC archives. A major part of this will be the complete Robert's original manuscript together with much other information. It has been a pleasure to help them with research material for the site. This will lead you to other pages on the site. I have mentioned your site to Alex Bromley, the Project Manager, and suggested that he has a look at your site. It is possible that he may want to mention your site as a 'link'. You may hear from him. Time to stop chattering on, looking forward to keeping in touch, best wishes, Reg So I put Reg and DL in touch with each other and hope it helps: good of DL to write anyway as it helped us to learn more from Reg about movements on the Robert Tressell front. DW