A fascinating collection of biographical essays by some of today`s most distinguished historians. Brought together by Alistair Horne, 26 eminent writers were offered complete freedom of choice in their subject and have chosen a colourful cast of characters, from Mussolini and Carole Lombard to Margaret Thatcher and Isaiah Berlin. This variety is matched by a fascinating diversity of approach to the subjects: Redmond O`Hanlon has contributed his personal reminiscence of Bruce Chatwin. Christina Hardyment compares Marie Stopes and Germaine Greer and Robert Kee speculates on how Parnell might have reacted to the Good Friday Agreement.