AN EAR FOR AN ERA

I have to disagree with Ed Cray’s review of William Manchester’s best-selling book “The Last Lion” (Book Review, Dec. 11). It is truly a great book and so far the best one on Winston Churchill and the ‘30s in Europe. I’ve read quite a few, including Churchill’s own five-volume autobiography and this beats them all. Though Manchester’s gem runs to more than 700 pages and one tends to want to read quickly due to the fascinating writing, you really have to slow down to absorb the interesting details.

I have given this volume as Christmas gifts this year, including a friend of mine in London who lived through the era.

This book didn’t get on--and stay on--The Times’ best-sellers list for nothing.

DOUG CRAMER

LOS ANGELES