Shaw issues a warning at the beginning of the first volume. This was the first time he had ever attached any condition to the perusal of his books. He does not want the reader to read this edition of his plays with a sophisticated mind. The reader must simply enjoy them. The prefaces of all of his plays are in the second volume. They are useful tools in understanding his plays and form essays on political and social problems of the time. Shaw adds: "You must make it your practice to read all my works at least twice over every year for ten years or so. That is why this edition is so substantially bound for you". With this invitation, suffice to say that these volumes are in very good condition, with embossed medallion of the author and gilt edges.