16 JULY 1983, page 23

Unconquerable

Nigel Nicolson A ll the explorers of the Niles (it must here be written plural) had motives Other than adventure. Bruce was a linguist and scientist, Livingstone a missionary,......

Enigma

Brian Masters Elm . the Man Michael De-la-Noy (Allen Lane £12.95) A accounts of Elgar's life published while 1 — ihis daughter, Carice Blake, was still with us, tended to paint......

Blind Passion

Virginia Llewellyn Smith The Children Henri Troyat, trans. Anthea Bell (Alden Ellis £7.95) H enri Troyat, biographer of Tolstoy land other Russian writers, is little known as a......