19 DECEMBER 1987, page 64

Outstanding Critic Of The Outstanding

Joan Plowright THE LIFE OF KENNETH TYNAN by Kathleen Tynan Weidenfeld, £16.95 K athleen Tynan's fascinating book has reminded us all how much duller life is without Ken Tynan,......

The Christmas Angel

Spy of a special branch, The Christmas angel Weighs his intelligence And finds it wanting. He can scarcely believe What the little bird tells him Of an open secret Not to be......

In Praise Of A Much Maligned Woman

Harold Acton THE PRETTIEST LOVE LETTERS IN THE WORLD: LETTERS BETWEEN LUCREZIA BORGIA AND PIETRO BEMBO 1503-1519 translated by Hugh Shankland Collins Harvill, £15 L ove letters......