22 DECEMBER 1984, page 46

The , Irregulars

Max Hastings SOE: The Special Operations Executive 1940-46 M. R. D. Foot (BBC £8.50) T he great thing about the 1939-45 war,' Harry d'Avigdor-Goldsmid said to John Hislop, 'was......

Close Circles

Francis King Damballah, Hiding Place, Sent for You Yesterday John Edgar Wideman (Allison & Busby £7.95 each) Tohn Edgar Wideman is a black Amer- ican novelist who deserves to be......

Dud Dukes

Brian Masters The Churchills of Blenheim David Green (Constable £12.95) T he Churchills are the only family in the land to have produced two saviours of the civilised world......