Literary critic Alan Harrington comments on John Leggett’s Ross & Tom, Two American Tragedies, a study of the lives of Ross Lockridge (Raintree Country) & Thomas Heggen (Mr. Roberts), two young first novelists who committed suicide upon achieving fame & success. The author sketches life histories of both men, pointing out elements of personality, stress & fear that contributed to their individual suicide decisions. Major precipitating factors are discussed. (NBB)