+ − Springf’d Republican p9a Jl 4 ’20 1100w
“No man can seriously pretend that he is able to write with equal authority on the Prince of Wales, Marshal Foch, President Wilson, M. Clemenceau, the Bishop of London, Mr Hilaire Belloc, Sir Thomas Beecham, and Mr Frank Brangwyn—to take only a few names at random. Another unfortunate thing for Mr Raymond is that in his ‘Uncensored celebrities’ he had picked out the largest plums. However, even here Mr Raymond has his effective flashes, for he is a clever draughtsman with the pen, especially upon political subjects. There is real humour, as well as observation.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p729 D 11 ’19 950w
RAYMOND, E. T. Life of Arthur James Balfour. il *$3 Little
20–20922
“Most distinct as an individual, Mr Arthur James Balfour belongs to an easily recognisable type, represented both in England and France by a number of statesmen who owe their fame less to any specific performance than to the impression created by their intellectual brilliance.... He has always been credited with an indefinable superiority over his performances. They have been notable; but it is vaguely felt that the man is more notable still; in the midst of his greatest failures he was more interesting than other men in their most triumphant success. With others the “might-have-been” is a reproach: with men like Mr Balfour it is a tribute: they please in disappointing.” (Chapter I) The book is indexed.
“Wit, irony, detachment—these a writer must have if he is to ‘do’ Mr Balfour, and Mr Raymond has them. Why then does he leave us unsatisfied? At bottom, we think, because he does not bring the philosopher and the politician into any real relation.” S. W.
+ − Ath p808 D 10 ’20 1050w + Booklist 17:153 Ja ’21
“His book is not ‘A life’ in any vital sense; it being a mere enlargement of a ‘Who’s who’ entry, with a few comments and quotations thrown in. There are, to be sure, some bright and witty things in the book.” F. P. H.