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Hi Dryden, the quote is there in the 3rd impression, 1943, as the only quote for that author.

You might recall, from a few weeks back, we had a discussion about the merits of different puzzles. I mentioned the idea that there were technically good puzzles with nondescript theme, puzzles with interesting theme but technically poor, and, occasionally, puzzles good in both categories. I agree with you, this falls short for technical reasons.

All done but I still don’t understand 16ac. Also why is 15dn CIAO?
Presumably we are going with REDANS at 34? Not convinced though.

Agree the clues are not great - anyone for 'Sweet stuff tense mad earl devours in this year'? But my issue with the construction is that we also get BERT, CAL, HAL, PAT and NED within the answers, and I think that should have been avoided.

Unclued, the first three letters of CIAO are an Italian abbreviation (Italian company); the last letter is a medieval Roman numeral for 11.

Meursault, we may not be 'on the same page'. The quotation that explains the treatment of the ten answers is in ODQ, and is the only quotation from that author. But we are not given that author, we are given a work by another author that contains the quotation. My point is that the passage from the given work that contains the thematic quotation is not in ODQ (unless it has been added to later editions), hence the need for Google.

Topaz, in addition to your points, 5d and 6d both contain examples of the thematic word. Admittedly they do not appear in the Chambers entry for the thematic word, but they are still very obvious examples.

Maybe the intention is that TDC determines which names are to be used. I don't have the newest TDC, but I notice for example that CAL, though a common name stateside, is not in there.

Dryden, I think I understand what you are saying. But if Safranski writes a book about Schopenhauer, and includes some quotes from him, I don't for that reason look up Schopenhauer quotes under Safranski, I look under Schopenhauer. Likely I'll find none of either in ODQ, but you understand my point...

In wanting to use the proper abbreviation for Chambers, I've mis-spelled it. Twice. It should be TCD.

Meursault, unfortunately that rules out LES since that is not in TCD either, though LESLIE is.
This is the danger of a puzzle based on very short names or diminutives. Unless they are all in Chambers there is the danger of alternatives, and almost anything goes for name in the States, unlike in France where state control is such that names have to be from a prescribed list!.

With the help of this forum I have completed the grid and found all the men. Thank you all. Please can anyone help with 1a? (Will's wrong about Latin cool) I have the answer but can't explain it.
Also the unmodified answer to 16a? (Expend time in fine grub-take out). Previous posts have not yet shone a light on this one for me.
Now a silly question. What is BRB?

Catkin, the BRB is simply Chambers, the Big Red Book.

I didn't do this crossword, so can't help with your queries.

Hi catkin,
1a cam a variant of kam/kamme Shakespeare awry.
18a footle.