Dictionary of World Biography, Volumes 7, 8 and 9: The 20th Century

Three hefty volumes complete the basic text of a monumental ‐ by any standards ‐ work of reference, these being volumes 7, 8 and 9 of the Dictionary of World Biography (a tenth volume will provide a comprehensive index). The series has been building up to this climax of comprehensive coverage of prominent figures from most walks of life of the twentieth century. The breadth is deliberate and commendable (although I am not going to resist entirely the reviewer’s game of nit‐picking) both in fields of achievement (sports, arts, popular entertainment as well as the usual suspects of politicians, heads...