For that's where Wyndham Lewis is, due to his political beliefs in the 1930s, his quick temper and pugilistic behaviour, and in part because as a painter, polemicist, satirist, commentator and novelist he skewered everyone and everything, from T.S. Eliot to Pound to Joyce to the Sitwells. Without mercy.

So, why read such a book, by such a man? Because in _Rude Assignment_ Lewis, to a degree, explains himself, and defines his position, and evolution, in a sharp, often witty manner, without an apologetic air. His description of satire, his defence against an attack by Orwell, are alone worth reading. His opinions still ruffle, yet if we only read those who were well-bred (presuming we could agree on who would get on such a list) we would never understand much of what goes on in any time or country. Lewis is, in some respects, that dreadful uncle who was involved in who knows what with _those_ people, visiting on family occasions with a little too much bile and bite for polite conversation, livening things up considerably before flying out the door again and leaving behind red faces and higher blood pressures, and a string of arguments in people's mouths.

The english novel needed a tonic, and Lewis provided it. He is a missing link in english letters, and this book - which one would normally come to via the novels - captures nicely the spirit of the man in his last years. Just remember, it's called "rude" to indicate something not well-formed like a traditional autobiographical work, and also because of the opinions expressed. It isn't on the same level as his excellent novel _The Apes of God_, but it is well worth reading and thinking about, even as one disagrees.

Wyndham Lewis and I were more like brothers than anything else, so I take great offense to the pervasive coverup about the real life and views of Lewis that take place in this book. What of his belief in the Universal Debate? Or his idea for the Rotating Senate Whip? If you read this book, you wouldn't know about 'em! The omission of Lewis's idea for the Endless Speech Party - a party he founded but later betrayed - makes this book a juvenile attempt at a real review of Lewis. I did, however, enjoy the frank way in which Lewis's obsession with politics was delt with.