First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from a work that went to trial:

"Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically..."

* 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 November 6.

The winner of last week's competition, who identified John Chadwick's The Decipherment of Linear B , was Peter Barnes of the Centre for Childhood, Development and Learning, The Open University.

THES (TSL Education Ltd) and its associated companies may from time to time wish to process, or disclose your data to approved third-party companies, in order to monitor our service and send you future promotions. If you do not wish us to do this, please notify us by writing 'No promotions' on your entry.