A Fascinating Snapshot

On rereading my review of Margaret MacMillan’s book on President Nixon’s visit to China in your last issue, I find that although I expressed my liking and admiration for the author and for this book, the tenor of part of my review was one of inadvertent condescension. That is entirely inappropriate and was unintentional, but I apologize to Margaret MacMillan for the slightly patronizing tone of several sentences in my review. Of course, I have no standing to take any such stance with her, and it is an unbecoming attitude at any time. If I had reread sooner and more carefully what I had written, I would have altered the tone to indicate more clearly the very high opinion I had of the book, despite certain minor concerns. I emphasize that it is an excellent and interesting book, as this author always produces. I have apologized to Margaret MacMillan in person, but wished to do so before all your readers as well.

Conrad Black
Toronto, Ontario