27 SEPTEMBER 1968, Page 18

Shorter notices

A History of South-East Asia D. G. E. Hall (Macmillan 90s). To the third edition of this already rather weighty volume, Professor Hall has added a good few ounces of valuable bulk. Still unaccountably thin on recent events in Vietnam, copious footnotes, a burgeoning bibliography and sparse but amiable illustra- tions ensure its remaining a standard work.

Laos: Buffer State or Battleground Hugh Toye (ow' 42s). A brief but powerful survey of the causes—ethnic, geographical, political—that have contributed to Laos's present ambiguous and uncomfortable position. Buffering or battling, Mr Toye's severe and soldierly analy- sis provides an illuminating running commen- tary.