First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from a diary by a wartime intelligence officer who became a travel writer:

"It was announced to us at 6.30pm that an armistice with Italy has been signed and would take effect from tomorrow,..."

* Entries, including postal address, should be sent to First Impressions, The Times Higher , Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1W 1BX, faxed to 020 7782 3300 or emailed to theschat@thes.co.uk

The winner receives a £25 book voucher. The closing date is May 16.

The winner of last week's competition, who identified Antony Beevor's Stalingrad , is Ralph Adam of City University, London.

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