public. Paul Kelly, my editor—though he is much grander in the world of
publishing now than when he started work on this book—remains that as well,
has become almost a co-author, and I continue to grow in my gratitude and
respect. Secondly the last preface mentioned a two-year-old who had eaten
some of the drafts. She is now 12, and brings me political news. Perhaps I should
have emulated her approach. Was not her summary of the first round of the
recent French Presidential elections all that needed saying? ‘Oh Daddy, some-
one odd came second and people are crying in Paris.’ Perhaps Ihaveemulated
this approach—certainly I share her judgment of the ephemeral and have
sought to follow it in selecting material. Or is it her four-year-old sister who
cannot be bothered even toeatmy work who should be emulated? My love to
them, to my wife, and to my three older children to whom this book remains
dedicated.
David Robertson,
Oxford,
June 2002Preface
x