OVER the years Roy Hattersley has become quite a prolific writer on the history of our island. Obviously, his years in politics and knowledge of the events of the day have shaped his views. Indeed, that was certainly true when his book Fifty Years On

OVER the years Roy Hattersley has become quite a prolific writer on the history of our island.

Obviously, his years in politics and knowledge of the events of the day have shaped his views.

Indeed, that was certainly true when his book Fifty Years On was published several years ago: a book which he described as a prejudice history of Britain since the war.

The ex-Labour Party deputy leader has now turned his attention to that uncertain period between the First World War and the Second World War.

Borrowed Time looks at the turmoil of the age.

And being such a political animal, Hattersley takes a new look, too, at the running of the country through the Prime Ministers of the era, Stanley Baldwin and Ramsay MacDonald.

Hattersley yet again has produced a piece of history which is both illuminating and bold.