23 MAY 1970, page 17

False Spore

CHRISTOPHER BOOKER The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross John M. Allegro (Hodder and Stoughton 633) A few years ago, Mr Allegro, author of a best-selling paperback on the Dead Sea......

Royal Flush

TREVOR GROVE The Reality of Monarchy Andrew Duncan (Heinemann 36s) The ceremonial officer of the Treasury used to be British Boy Chess Champion in 1923; Lord Cobbold, the Lord......

Flown Bird

DONALD McLACHLAN The Springing of George Blake Sean Bourke (Cassell 42s) Sean Bourke, a quixotic Irishman, planned single-handed the escape from Wormwood Scrubs of George Blake,......