HEADLINES ALL MY LIFE

Arthur Christiansen has been called by his colleagues ""one of the architects of this fascinating social phenomenon of the rise of the modern large circulation press"". The secret of his success over a quarter-century as editor of the London Daily Express is no doubt his projection of ""an editorial attitude of mind to which readers respond"". His autobiography follows the same pattern, describing everyday England in peace and war, in good times and bad. More than just the personal story of Christiansen, his reminiscences reflect a wide range of British customs and policies since the turn of the century, both in newspapering and other areas. His proprietor (English term for a newspaper owner) was Lord Beaverbrook, not the least controversial of Britons at any time. Christiansen takes a firm stand on the political vagaries of the paper during his tenure: ""I was a journalist, not a political animal; my proprietor was a journalist and a political animal."" Lord Beaverbrook (whom his servants call, not ""his Lordship"", but ""the Lord"", which can be a bit unnerving if you're not used to it) is as much a part of the chronicle as the author himself. This compares favorably with John Chapman's recent history of the New York Daily News (Tell it to Sweeney, Doubleday), and its appeal to American readers will not be hampered by any excess of British llom. It is as fresh as today's newspaper.