Denning-watching, for so long the sport of academics and law students, has of late become a national pastime. His tussles with the House of Lords, and many of his controversial pronouncements, have been matters of comment in the Press and Parliament (though somewhat obliquely in the latter case). His judicial performance has recently been subjected to a serious and provocative analysis by a body of academic lawyers in Scotland. (See, Robson and Watchman, “Justice, Lord Denning and the Constitution”, 1981.) This interest has hardly been discouraged by his Lordship, who has an almost starlet-like ability of stepping into the limelight. Nor is he averse to turning the spotlight full upon himself. “The Family Story” is the third Denning-on-Denning book in just over two years. “The Discipline of Law” and “The Due Process of Law”, though nominally concerned with issues of substantive law, in effect provided a vehicle whereby his Lordship conveyed to a wider public the “Denning line” on such issues. In writing those works his Lordship provided the public with some clear insights into Denning the Judge. “The Family Story” completes the picture by providing insights into Denning the Man through a description of his family, educational and social background.

It is sometimes said that a book review should be just that, and that no attempt should be made to review the man behind the book. Where, however, the author devotes over half the work to describing himself, and explaining his own thoughts and actions that guideline becomes worthless. However, before commenting on his Lordship’s self-revelations, it is necessary to make some remarks about the book.

“The Family Story” is divided into two books—book one is entitled “Before the Wars” and book two “After the Wars”. Book two is concerned with the life and career of the author after the second world war, and much of it is familiar stuff. Book two, however, is concerned to describe his family background, and to give