Through Wood and Dale

Rating:
Summary: The latest volume of diaries by historian James Lees-Milne
Review: Although the later volumes of James Lees-Milne's diaries have been criticised for showing him as somewhat misanthropic and decidedly politically-incorrect individual, there is much of interest in this latest volume. It may lack the enthralling spectacles of the early volumes (particularly those during and immediately after the Second World War)but 'Through Wood and Dale'does have some wonderful moments. For those who enjoy Lees-Milne, these later volumes of diaries have one distinct advantage: we learn much more about the man himself. This volume sees him rage against the Labour government and the general decline in society but still combines wonderful moments of frustration and anger (as often as not directed at his neighbours the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort).

For admirers of Jim Lees-Milne this is book is compulsive; for those yet to experience his writing, this could be a welcome introduction.