Was: A Pastime from Time Past - Softcover

'The combination in this book of humour, autobiography and cultural contrast will be of fascination to every Scot and Jew. To read it will be a delightful experience for anyone who enjoys an insight into a fertile imagination, an original use of language and a developed sense of humour.' Malcolm Rifkind The Weekend Scotsman
'Dr Daiches skips and chants in a linguistic ring-a-roses which suggest both the delights of childhood and the power of language in shaping our identity. WAS is a text to savour.' Robert Nye The Times
'A lively, stimulating book to be enjoyed for rich allusion, impeccable style and all-round vivacity.' Jewish Telegraph
'WAS is a scintillating replay of the word game Daiches played in his formative years: joyous, comical, full of jingles, jokes, parody, pastiche, quotations, adaptations, figures of speech, grammar-glory, poetry.' Maurice Wiggin Sunday Times