Claud Cockburn (1904–1981)

Whatever you may think of Claud Cockburn's politics, which can be sketchy at best (there's a subtle hint in this book they changed quite a bit over time), he is a witty writer, as is demonstrated by this first volume of memoirs, which covers roughly the period from his birth to the middle of Spanish Civil War. A good chunk of it covers his career at the Times of London, with a number of interesting and amusing anecdotes on the personalities there from the mid-1920s to the early 1930s. You do show more get a sense that Cockburn's politics took a sharp turn around the time he created 'The Week" in 1933, a sharp turn to the left. However, while it is noticeable in the book, it's at least not obtrusive, and the humour does help. Recommended. show less

Rather mixed reaction to this book, frankly. On the one hand, I recognize that Cockburn put a great deal of effort into this book, which is a look at a number of best-sellers of the first half of the 20th century, and his efforts to put the various works in their contexts. At some level, though, after reading about the books he looks at, you shrug your shoulders and say "who cares?" An indication that at some level, Cockburn has failed. Some of the snark he tosses off is fitfully show more entertaining, though. show less

Graham Greene said that this novel "will be rediscovered with delight, I believe, in every generation". (Cockburn, 1981, foreword). So I read it. (It had remained, unread, on my bookshelf for at least 30 years). But, increasingly, only because it was all novelistic I had with me on a short holiday. Mistake

Dated but still interesting