This work investigates the personal lives and creative temperaments of seven prominent mid-twentieth-century writers through the lens of the author's direct friendship with them. Dan Davin, a novelist and publisher, utilizes his unique position within the literary circles of the era to provide an intimate account of his peers. The text functions as both a biographical record and a reflection on the nature of artistic camaraderie and the challenges faced by writers of that generation.

Critics and scholars frequently cite this book as a valuable primary source for understanding the social dynamics of the mid-century London literary scene. Readers often note the warmth and observational precision Davin brings to his portraits, which provides a humanizing counterpoint to more formal academic biographies.