Hough and Davis have produced a very thorough and disquieting account, which challenges our understanding of Coleridge's liberal idealism and contributes a fine study in the field of British colonialism.

Les Bienveillantes (The Kindly Ones), caused a literary sensation in 2006. Described as "deliberately repellent" by The New York Times, Jonathan Littell’s novel tells the story of World War II through the eyes of former SS officer Maximilien Aue.

One should not use the designation ‘standard work’ lightly, but this book well deserves the accolade. It will, over time, become the touchstone for much fruitful investigation.