To find Who's Who 1952 and Who Was Who 1941-1950
(A. & C. Black, the dead £4, the living £5) reaching my desk simultaneously is almost an embarrassment of riches. How- ever, there are questions demanding an immediate answer. Does HITLER, Adolf, figure in the cheaper volume? He does, telephone number and all. That is what always pleases me about Who Was Who; so many telephone numbers are con- veniently included; after all, you never know; there may be an extension to the new address. The Mussolini entry ends "lied 28 April, 1945 "; it is no part of Who Was Who's business to say how, any more than in the case of Ribbentrop (also present). As for Who's Who, what new can be said about it ? Nothing. It is indispensable and always was. It would be possible to cull extracts indicating the strange penchant of the grave and wise, for crediting themselves with bizarre, or even puerile, recreations. There is the less strange penchant of the more questionably wise for making their entry, by every resource and device, as long (and therefore supposedly as impressive) as possible; they presume on the editor's indulgence, and it would appear not in vain. I could give instances, but refrain. One way and another Who's Who provides much wholesome entertainment as well as much valuable instruction. It can be scanned with equal profit in bed, in an aeroplane and in a Turkish bath.
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