22 MARCH 1968, Page 20

Shorter notices

The Unromantic: Jon Kimche (Weidenfeld and Nicolson 25s). An accurate and concise account of the origins of the Balfour Declara- tion, though Mr Kimche doesn't make clear how Zionist support, once pledged to the Allied cause, actually contributed to the war effort.

The Fenian Chief, A Biography of James Stephens Desmond Ryan (Gill and Son 45s). As the first full biography of James Stephens, Mr Ryan's book is welcome; as an account of the rise of the Fenian movement it is accurate and painstakingly detailed, but as a biography per se it leaves much to be desired. A bio- grapher must have his reserves of objectivity; at times Mr Ryan seems to have little else.