Britain and South Africa
S1R,—Brian Crozier's purported 'review' (SPECTATOR, June 17) of Dennis Austin's book Britain and South Africa brings little credit either to himself or to your journal. To allocate a study of this nature one sentence only is hardly indicative of serious review- ing; and in his solitary sentence Mr Crozier reveals nothing more than his own prejudices. He repeats his habitual theme that the UN is irrelevant and the Africans a nuisance, and tells us nothing of the detailed analysis which Mr Austin offers on Britain's interests in Southern Africa.
While we may be grateful that Mr Crozier limits his now traditional harangue to one sentence, this is hardly a proper way to approach a very complex issue. Either a book deserves considered attention, or it should not be reviewed at all. As one who participated in the Chatham House discussions which formed the starting point for Mr Austin's study, I feel obliged to protest at this derisory treat- ment of the outcome of many months' research and thought.
The impression which Mr Crozier gives is of not having bothered to read Mr Austin's book; but this can perhaps be explained by the fact that the `review' was published in your journal in advance of
the publication date for Britain and South Africa, which is not normally regarded as good journalistic
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