19 NOVEMBER 1994, Page 49

A.N. Wilson

Lawrence James has written what I have long wanted: a readable, intelligent history of the British Empire in one volume. I heartily recommend The Rise and Fall of the British Empire (Little, Brown, £25) for its wit, humanity and breadth. Everything from the East India Company to Nelson Mandela. Christopher Logue's Homeric poem Husbands (Faber, £4.99) is as good as I said it was in my Spectator review. Buy two for Christmas. I also admired Craig Raine's ambitious verse novel, History: A Home Movie (Penguin, £9.99), though it is more a fascinating family photo album than a movie.