the third man

not the film but the book, yes, Mandy it is.  I will post a review when I have finished it, but just to say now that it is well written, his authentic voice (if you like that sort of thing) and that Mr Salter's name does not appear in the index, despite Mr S informing Reading Labour Party that he and Mr Howarth were "leading Peter's campaign to get on to the NEC", and despite Mandy writing about his attempt (unsuccessful) to become a member of that august body at some length and in some detail.  All excellent stuff.  And on Petey's forced resignation as DTI Sec of State and subsequent expression of sympathy from Philip Gould, he quotes Gould as writing to him: "...you should never have got into the position that led to your resignation.  At any time in the last two years, if you had spoken to me, or Alastair, or Tony, or Anji about the loan, you would have been helped and supported and the need to resign would never have occurred" (p. 283).  Mandy does not comment on this, but my reaction was "Oh yeah?  Bollocks.  That's what they all say.  Afterwards. "