'Not the least of Betjamin's achievements was to secure Bevis Hillier as his biographer...a monumental study' -- Times Literary Supplement 20041203 'An awe-inspiring piece of scholarship, presented with touching warmth and affection ... Betjeman has had the best and most sympathetic biographer he could have wished for' -- Artemis Cooper, Evening Standard 20041203 'It is part of Mr Hillier's achievement that, while laying bare so many of Betjeman's foibles ! one still thinks of him as a great man.' -- Country Life 20041111 'Betjeman's place is not just in literature. As Hillier's detailed, often hilarious, and very poignant Ordnance Survey map suggest, Betjeman is also significant in the history of English society and taste, a 20th century addition to that very special gallery which includes Dr Johnson, Horace Walpole and Oscar Wilde' -- Duncan Fallowell, The Express 20041111 'Hillier's monumental approach to biography would be justified, because he paints not just an individual but a species ... Hillier's enthralling, many-voiced biography, the fruit of 28 years' research and inquiry, is an awesome achievement. But it is no more than Betjeman's due.' -- John Carey, Sunday Times 20041111 'An impressive piece of work' -- Scotsman 20050723 'Hillier's enthralling, many-voiced biography is an awesome achievement. But it is no more than Betjeman's due' -- John Carey, Sunday Times 'Fascinating' -- Humphrey Carpenter, Sunday Times 'Sharply perceptive ... compelling ... A biography this good abolishes time in its own way, and triumphantly ensures Betjeman's survival' -- Peter Conrad, Observer 'A mosaic in which the true face of the man and his times is revealed' -- Mail on Sunday 20041128 'The chubbiest, juiciest book of the year' -- Barry Humphries, Daily Telegraph 20041128 'Strikes just the right note.' -- Telegraph 20041113 'An awe-inspiring piece of scholarship ... Betjeman has had the best and most sympathetic biographer he could have wished for' -- Artemis Cooper, Evening Standard 20041113 'A triumph' -- Spectator 20041113 'Hilarious and very poignant' -- Duncan Fallowell, Express 20041113 'A mosaic in which the true face of the man and his time is revealed' -- Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday 20041113 'A pleasure to read and use.' -- Evening Standard 20041113 'Immensely detailed, intelligent, generous, sympathetic, and often entertaining' -- Allan Massie, Literary Review 20041113