Seventy percent of the way through the last century, a fellow by name of Roger Hall wrote a book with the odd title of '19' . That title is an enigma, and perhaps that’s a hint to the nature of the book, for 19 is the story of one episode in the operation of a league of gentlemen who have made it their life’s work to assist, and occasionally infiltrate, the intelligence agencies of the world, seeking to keep them honest and on track. I know -- in a world where trusted governmental agents are found to be traitors, this is hopelessly out of date stuff. Yet Hall wrote with style and grace, and this book (he wrote others, including You’re Stepping On My Cloak and Dagger, which the Washington Post referred to as "Wry Tales by WWII Spy Still A Gem Of The Genre") is a charming piece of work. Hard to find (it’s been out of print for years) but delightful. I reread it when I need to remember that once, at least, the world seemed sane.