Rather mixed reaction to this book, frankly. On the one hand, I recognize that Cockburn put a great deal of effort into this book, which is a look at a number of best-sellers of the first half of the 20th century, and his efforts to put the various works in their contexts. At some level, though, after reading about the books he looks at, you shrug your shoulders and say "who cares?" An indication that at some level, Cockburn has failed. Some of the snark he tosses off is fitfully entertaining, though. ( )