The Pleasures of the Past [Paperback]

Each of the thirty essays here penetrates to the root of a character, a problem, a style, an idea, drawn from the recent British past. Clear-eyed, acerbic, witty, David Cannadine makes the ideal guide for a tour of the past and companion as one considers the present. Mr. Cannadine is professor of history at Columbia University and author ofMr. Cannadine enjoys himself so much that he always conveys enjoyment to his readers. He is erudite and rigorous, yet always fun. I can imagine no better introduction to historical study than this collection. Hugh Brogan,