Condition Terminology and Grading Standards: In all of our listings we describe a book's condition as well as report its condition grade. Why do both? It is our duty to let buyers know what to expect and because fault calls (pointing out blemishes) in our condition descriptions can make a book sound worse than it may be, we rely on Condition Grading for balance, to reflect the book's true overall condition. The goals of our system for evaluating books are to be honest, accurate and to never mislead or disappoint our buyers. We carefully grade the condition of books from VERY FINE to POOR.

VERY FINE - Excellent, new, pristine, may show a whisper of being shelved or opened, but otherwise it's fresh from the publisher; absolutely no damage; not a remainder; binding as tight and square as if opened only for inspection.

FINE - Is almost new, hard to distinguish from new; may show the lightest sign of being shelved, handled or transported; may have been read or browsed, but most carefully; not quite as crisp as VERY FINE; not an ex-library book; absolutely no damage.

VERY GOOD - By far the predominant grade in our catalog, and in most catalogs, indicates an average to far better than average usually pre-owned book; may be evident the book's been read; may show modest but not unusual handling, shelving and carry sign including modest softening to edges and corners; binding not as tight as new; if a textbook, may carry moderate highlighting, underlining and/or marginalia.

GOOD - Book's been enjoyed, bears average to somewhat heavy wear, collates as complete, shows damage or carries too many minor faults to be VERY GOOD. May have closed tears or chipping to dustjacket, sticker removal scars, noticeable bumping or blunting of corners and edges; binding may not be tight; spine may lean; finish may be markedly rubbed, backstrip sunned, and there may be spots of fabric rub-through.

FAIR - Book collates as complete, is readable but below average; may have encountered one of the five book horrors (Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, Children); binding may be loose or broken, may have open tears to dustjacket; this is depressing; may be cut, torn, warped, stained.

POOR - Book is heavily damaged, or something is missing. We would not bother offering a book in POOR condition unless it is a work of surpassing importance or scarcity. Book would be readable but may have lost leaves, been submerged or roasted; may lack backstrip, binding or board(s).