William Amos has had the obvious (now that he"s done it) but brilliant idea of compiling an A to Z of literary figures who had real life originals. An ingenious index gives us the subjects and their fictional counterparts... This is the best kind of reference book, the sort that can be read for its amusing asides and comments, as well as consulted for facts." JULIAN SYMONS, GUARDIAN "This most enjoyable of books... Those who prefer to do their own detective work will be dismayed by Mr Amos"s thoroughness and wit." BOOKS AND BOOKMEN "If you have always wanted to know who the original of Biggles was, this is the book to tell you... One could go on endlessly dipping into this sourcebook, which will be invaluable to any serious researcher or dedicated reader who would like to have access to 3,000 originals." COUNTRY LIFE "It is obviously a labour of love and it is highly entertaining." ALLAN MASSIE, SPECTATOR