The "fourth leader" in the Times, as the introduction notes, was meant as something of a change of pace from the editorials otherwise presented. They were intended to go off on quiet, uncontroversial tangents. This collection here is a selection of "fourth leaders" from the war period. The overhang of the war is ever-present, and you do get a sense that some of these miniature essays are studied efforts in trying to keep a stiff upper lip. The effort tends to show, and reduces the appeal somewhat. While none of them are bad, as such, none of them are particularly memorable. Pretty much limited to those with an interest in World War II, or Penguin completists. ( )