ALL THE BEST IN ENGLAND,

by SydneyClark '12. Dodd, Mead and Co., 1948; 340pages; #3.50.

My respect for Sydney Clark as a travel writer, always considerable, now has reached a new high. For anyone, millionaire or impoverished college instructor, who is planning to go to England will find this book more necessary than his English visa. All the questions about London, its ruined buildings, food, lodging, etc., which have been rolling around in my mind are answered in this book. Out of 2,110,000 dwellings in the London Civil Defense Region all but 306,302 were damaged in a greater or lesser degree. Many famous tourist spots were destroyed but many remain, including Sam Johnsons wonderful house in Gough Square. Among those completely destroyed were the Temple Church and St. Clement Danes three of the tour Inns of Court were badly damaged as was the Guildhall. However, London, the most fascinating city in the world, is still there for all to see. All, that is, who can get a passage, and get a hotel reservation. Eight thousand hotels and licensed houses were lost in the Blitz and Mr. Clark makes it quite clear that it is important to have a place to sleep ordered well in advance.

He tells you where to write for precise information; for instance, I should think "Hints for Travelers to the United Kingdom" (British Railway Office, 9 Rockefeller Plaza) would be a necessity. But Mr. Clark's book literally has everything: the "foreground," the "background," and "yourself in the picture of London." There is an excellent index and map. I am absolutely certain that you will get twice as much from your trip if you have digested previously All The Best in England. And how I want to go!