Came across and read his book "Author Unknown" about literary phorensic techniques, while on holiday. Was very impressed and esp interested in the search for the author of 'The Night Before Christmas' which controversy I've come across on the Net (possibly on this site). However, most of his examples - like Primary Colours, the Unabomber etc haven't been widely covered in the UK, and the UK political example is difficult because political writing here is so often a joint effort between several unacknowledged writers, so I've only read Foster's own 'take' on the subject . Have any emulers any view on the book and his work, from a more informed and balanced perspective.

I may be informed but I'm not well-known for balance. Here, then, is a site with links to several reviews of the book:

[www.complete-review.com] />
And since you have to register with the NYT to read their review, I will email the text to you off-forum.

From my glances, it seems that these reviews describe the book but take no special positions "for" or "against" the author -- which may be, effectively, an endorsement.

Thanks very much indeed Marian. The reviews on your list that I could access were very informative, especially the one you e-mailed. I found the original book convincing, but with so little comprehension of the background to the attribution problems he was trying to solve, it was hard to judge on anything other than gut instinct. Thanks again.

We Mariani have to stick together.