'Sir, – Like the Australian fireworks display over the Thames on New Year’s Eve, Clive James’s essay regarding my book, When London Calls: The expatriation of Australian creative artists to Britain (January 28), offered more smoke than impact. The “review” fails to come to terms with the argument of the book, nor does it let facts get in the way of a good story. In contrast to Mr James’s swipes (“most of the big names” I wanted to talk to wouldn’t waste their time), only a handful of the book’s subjects refused to be interviewed. Clive James was unique in agreeing to be interviewed and then, a few weeks later, changing his mind.' (Introduction)