Bunhill: Bernard Levin

PUBLISHING event of the week was undoubtedly the new edition of Venice For Pleasure, a book Bernard Levin has described as 'the best guidebook to any city ever written'.

The author, Joe Links, earned his living for many years as head of the firm that was furrier to the Queen before radical chic removed fur from the royal back.

An enterprising fellow, Link made his literary debut with a series of 'murder dossiers', co-written with Dennis Wheatley, in which readers were provided with the clues required to solve the mystery.

Link's interest in Venice derived from his work on Canaletto. He wrote the standard study of the great Venetian painter and has helped owners of his works - one jumped seven times in price in the five years after Links had identified it as being by the master.

Links is now busy revising the study, when he can spare the time from doing his book reviews.

If you buy the Venice guidebook direct from the publishers, Pallas Athene (59 Linden Gardens, London W2), pounds 1 of the pounds 9.95 cost goes to the Venice in Peril Fund.

Oh, and by the way, Links will be 90 this year.