<!--StartFragment--><p><span>First published in 1930, </span><i><spanlang>Swallows and Amazons </span></i><spanlang>secured Arthur Ransome''s reputation as one ofthe most influential children''s authors of all time, yet prior to writingfiction he had had a turbulent career as a journalist and war correspondent inrevolutionary Russia. In this refreshing account of Ransome''s work, AlanKennedy sets out to explain his enduring appeal, combining literary criticismwith psychological expertise. <o></o:p></spa