The dashing young British diplomat who, in the 1930’s, made female hearts beat faster in Roman high society (witness Malaparte), has become a careful, balanced memorialist in the 1960’s. His books do not have the unique flavor and historical breadth of Churchill’s writings on the war; but his conscientious notations on international conferences, dialogues with the dictators, the inner workings of the Conservative Party, present a perhaps more reliable picture than the Churchillian epic. Sir Winston is too big a man not to push most of his contemporaries downstage while he takes the spotlight; Sir Anthony remains on the same level with them. As a result, his notes more effectively reveal their foibles, deficiencies and weaknesses, their courage and skill.
Facing the Dictators, by Anthony Eden, Earl of Avon. Houghton Mifflin, $7.50
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