Book Review Digest Devoted to the Valuation of Current Literature Reviews of 1917 Books (continued 5)
Reading edition
– + Nation 105:488 N 1 ‘17 1500w
“Excellent biography.”
+ N Y Times 22:501 N 25 ‘17 1000w
“The really significant services that Li Hung Chang rendered to his race are clearly set forth in this volume by a writer who has had good opportunities to study China and the Chinese at first hand.”
+ R of Rs 56:551 N ‘17 120w
“If the provision of an adequate ‘setting’ is one of the difficulties to be encountered in limning Li Hung-chang’s career, another is the paucity of record. ... Mr Bland is to be congratulated upon the comprehensive narrative which he has succeeded in compiling.”
* + – The Times [London] Lit Sup p535 N 8 ‘17 1850w
BLATHWAYT, RAYMOND. Through life and round the world; being the story of my life. il *$3.50 Dutton 17-23043
Mr Blathwayt is a British journalist who has traveled widely and has made a specialty of the art of interviewing. Before taking up journalism, he served as a curate in Trinidad, in the East End of London, and in an English village. He believes himself to be the first to adapt the American “interview” to English manners. Among those interviewed by him are William Black, Thomas Hardy, Hall Caine, Grant Allen, William Dean Howells, Thomas Bailey Aldrich, and Oliver Wendell Holmes.
“Illustrated from photographs and from drawings by Mortimer Menpes.” E. F. E.
Boston Transcript p7 Ag 8 ‘17 800w
“So many aspects of English life and examples of English character are included in Mr Blathwayt’s book that it forms a reminiscential commentary upon the journalistic and literary world of London during the past thirty years.” E. F. E.
Boston Transcript p6 Ag 11 ‘17 900w
“The book is a veritable gold mine for the after-dinner speaker, for it is besprinkled with quotable anecdotes.”
+ Dial 64:30 Ja 3 ‘18 250w
“His book abounds in what Mr Leacock calls ‘aristocratic anecdotes,’ platitudinous reflections, and ‘fine writing.’ His naïve confessions as a curate help to explain the spiritual deadness and professionalism of the Church of England; they might well be used as illustrative footnotes to ‘The soul of a bishop.’”
— Nation 105:610 N 29 ‘17 190w
“It is very entertaining, as engaging a book of reminiscence as has been put before the public in many a day.”
+ N Y Times 22:293 Ag 12 ‘17 1200w
“Mr Blathwayt is a born raconteur. Particularly good are his descriptions of his life as a young curate and as an almost penniless wanderer in Connecticut.”
+ Outlook 117:26 S 5 ‘17 70w
Sat R 123:436 My 12 ‘17 820w
54“All his admiration of Captain Marryat and of Mrs Radcliffe has not taught him to spell their names right. He misquotes with the utmost facility. ... Here is a writer who has made livelihood and reputation by writing, yet has never mastered the elementary rules of the art. ... His book is frequently, though not constantly entertaining; but it would be much less entertaining than it is without the innocence of its author’s self-revelation.”
– + The Times [London] Lit Sup p198 Ap 26 ‘17 950w
BLEACKLEY, HORACE WILLIAM. Life of John Wilkes. il *$5 (3½c) Lane 17-24876
This is a scholarly account, based to a great extent on original documents of the English politician, publicist and political agitator, who, “from 1764 to 1780 was the central figure not only of London but of England.” (Sat R)
“Mr Bleackley has executed his task in a scholarly and interesting manner, and his book forms an acceptable supplement to Lecky. ... The numerous illustrations are a valuable feature of the book.”
+ Ath p419 Ag ‘17 160w
“Remarkable as the career of John Wilkes confessedly was, and undeniably interesting as this biography is, in spite of Mr Bleackley’s literary skill its final impression is not good. If, as we are told, none ‘of his contemporaries influenced more powerfully the spirit of the age,’ that spirit must have been grossly immoral to condone his immoral grossness.”
– + Lit D 55:44 N 17 ‘17 240w
“Mr Bleackley has found a subject well suited to his talent in this profoundly interesting historical study.”
+ N Y Times 22:417 O 21 ‘17 550w
+ Outlook 117:184 O 3 ‘17 50w
“This is one of the best biographies that have appeared for a long time. Mr Bleackley has read and rifled nearly all the memoirs, manuscripts, diaries, letters, newspapers of the period, and we have not read a more erudite and conscientious treatment of a controversial subject. ... He treats his hero with the benevolent impartiality of the scientific historian.”
* + + Sat R 124:sup4 Jl 7 ‘17 1200w
“Mr Bleackley has given us a most interesting book. ... He has put before himself the task of proving that a man who wrought so much for liberty was himself a great man and a lover of the cause for which he fought. We allow that Wilkes had genius of a sort, but doubt whether he really cared two pins about the rights of constituencies, or the illegality of general warrants, or the liberty of the press. He fought for John Wilkes, and in fighting for him achieved results of wide constitutional importance.”
* Spec 119:167 Ag 18 ‘17 1500w
“The language is journalistic. ... As a picture of 17th-century England in its most corrupt and licentious phases the book has some historical value, though it is too often written in the language of gossip rather than history. ... The book has its faults—particularly its emphasis upon Wilkes’s mistresses—but the evidence is well documented. ... It is to be regretted that a career so closely connected with American independence should be treated to so great an extent as the subject of a record of private vices. ... There is much biographical and historical matter in it of genuine interest.”
– + Springf’d Republican p15 S 23 ‘17 1050w
“Mr Bleackley enumerates a good many of those who have included Wilkes in their historical canvases. ... An essay by Fraser Rae preceded Trevelyan’s description in his rainbow-tinted history of Charles James Fox, and later came a biography in two volumes by Percy Fitzgerald. Praise is reiterated of the excellent monograph by J. M. Rigg in the ‘Dictionary of national biography’; but so far as we see, no mention is made of by far the most judicial and philosophic account of the transactions in which Wilkes was conspicuous in Lecky’s ‘History of England in the eighteenth century.’ ... His style is a little arid, but his ripened power of research, his patience and diligence in sifting material, combine to furnish a truly notable portrait. ... The historical background shows a great advance upon any of his preceding work. ... The volume is very well finished, the references (largely to Mss.) overwhelming, the illustrations well-chosen, the errata scrupulous, the index complete.”
* + The Times [London] Lit Sup p318 Jl 5 ‘17 2050w
BLUMENTHAL, DANIEL.[2] Alsace-Lorraine. map *75c (7c) Putnam 943.4
“A study of the relations of the two provinces to France and to Germany and a presentation of the just claims of their people.” The author, an Alsatian by birth, has been deputy from Strasbourg in the Reichstag, senator from Alsace-Lorraine, and mayor of the city of Colmar. The book has an introduction by Douglas Wilson Johnson of Columbia university, who says, “The problem of Alsace-Lorraine is in a very real sense an American problem.”
“There is no more moving recent plea for the restoration of Alsace-Lorraine than this little volume.”
+ Boston Transcript p6 Ja 9 ‘18 200w
BLUNDELL, MARY E. (SWEETMAN) (MRS FRANCIS BLUNDELL) (M. E. FRANCIS, pseud.). Dark Rosaleen. *$1.35 (1c) Kenedy A17-1416
A story of modern Ireland. In a study of the relationship between two families, the author gives an epitome of the situation that exists in Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. Hector McTavish’s father is a fanatical Scotch Presbyterian, but since he grows up in a Catholic community, Hector makes friends with the children of that church. Patsy Burke is his dearest playmate and Honor Burke is to him a foster mother. Fearing these influences, the father takes the boy away and, when he returns thirteen years later, it is to find Patsy an ordained priest and Patsy’s little sister, Norah, grown into sweet womanhood. The love between Hector and Norah, their marriage and the birth of their child leads to tragedy. But, in the child, the author sees a symbol of hope for the new Ireland.
“The author has not written a thesis novel, but a touching tale of what she feels and loves.”
+ Cath World 105:259 My ‘17 130w
“There is nothing intolerant in the spirit of this very thrilling book.”
+ N Y Times 22:166 Ap 29 ‘17 550w
BODART, GASTON, and KELLOGG, VERNON LYMAN. Losses of life in modern wars; ed. by Harald Westergaard. *$2 Oxford 172.4 16-20885
“It is the function of the Division of economics and history of the Carnegie endowment for international peace, under the direction of Professor J. B. Clark, to promote a thorough and scientific investigation of the causes and results of war. ... The first volume resulting from these studies contains two reports upon investigations carried on in furtherance of this plan. The first, by Mr Gaston Bodart, deals with the ‘Losses of life in modern wars: Austria-Hungary, France.’ The second, by Professor Vernon L. Kellogg, is a preliminary report and discussion of ‘Military selection and race deterioration.’ ... Professor Kellogg marshals his facts to expose the dysgenic effects of war in military selection, which exposes the strongest and sturdiest young men to destruction and for the most part leaves the weaklings to perpetuate the race. He cites statistics to prove an actual measurable, physical deterioration in stature in France due apparently to military selection. ... To these dysgenic aspects of militarism the author adds the appalling racial deterioration resulting from venereal diseases.”—Dial
Am Hist R 22:702 Ap ‘17 450w
55
+ A L A Bkl 13:196 F ‘17
“The work is a candid and sane discussion of both sides of this very important aspect of militarism.”
+ Dial 61:401 N 16 ‘16 390w
“It would be difficult to exaggerate the importance of this original and authoritative study into the actual facts of war.”
+ Educ R 52:528 D ‘16 70w
BOGARDUS, EMORY STEPHEN. Introduction to sociology. $1.50 University of Southern California press, 3474 University av., Los Angeles, Cal. 302 17-21833
The author who is professor of sociology in the University of Southern California offers this textbook as an introduction not only to sociology in its restricted sense but to the entire field of the social sciences. He presents the political and economic factors in social progress not only from a sociological point of view but in such a way that the student will want to continue along political science or economic lines. It is the aim to stimulate and to direct social interest to law, politics and business. He discusses the population basis of social progress, the geographic, biologic and psychologic bases as well; social progress as affected by genetic, hygienic, recreative, economic, political, ethical, esthetic, intellectual, religious, and associative factors. A closing chapter surveys the scientific outlook for social progress.
“The advantage of Professor Bogardus’s method is that it brings to bear in a simple, elementary way a great mass of pertinent facts.”
+ Dial 63:596 D 6 ‘17 150w
“The author does not, perhaps, distinguish clearly enough between the sociological and the social points of view.” B. L.
+ — Survey 39:202 N 24 ‘17 240w
BOGEN, BORIS D. Jewish philanthropy; an exposition of principles and methods of Jewish social service in the United States. *$2 Macmillan 360 17-15182
“The entire field of Jewish social service, both theoretic and practical, is here discussed by a man who has been engaged in it for about twenty-five years as educator, settlement head, relief agent, and now field secretary of the National conference of Jewish charities. ... The author points out that the pre-eminent Jewish contribution to social service in this country is the ‘federation idea.’ By federating their charities, the Jews succeeded in uniting communities, in raising more funds to carry on work more adequately; they have prevented duplication of effort, conserved energies and eliminated waste.” (Survey) The book has an eight-page bibliography.
A L A Bkl 14:40 N ‘17
“No one perhaps is better qualified to discuss with authority the subject of Jewish philanthropy than Dr Boris D. Bogen, of Cincinnati. Himself a Russian by birth and early training, he speaks concerning the immigrant with a thoroughness born of intimate and empiric knowledge, supplemented by years of accurate and exhaustive study.” A. A. Benesch
+ Am Pol Sci R 11:785 N ‘17 580w
“Once in a while the author makes a sweeping statement without citing authorities. There are two serious drawbacks to the usefulness of the work. One is the constant use of Hebrew words, which are usually not translated or are mistranslated. Any future work of this character should have a glossary of such Hebrew words as part of its appendix. The other is the chapter on Standards of relief, which ought to have been the most important, received the most scant attention. But all in all, the book is a splendid piece of work.” Eli Mayer
+ — Ann Am Acad 74:303 N ‘17 400w
Cleveland p107 S ‘17 10w
+ Ind 92:109 O 13 ‘17 110w
“The book contains a great mass of information regarding various Jewish philanthropies, although no attempt is made to present statistical matter in a formal way.”
R of Rs 56:441 O ‘17 50w
“Dr Bogen’s book is wide in scope and will be found useful as a handbook for non-Jewish as well as for Jewish social workers.” Oscar Leonard
+ Survey 38:532 S 15 ‘17 500w
BOIRAC, ÉMILE. Our hidden forces (“La psychologie inconnue”); an experimental study of the psychic sciences; tr. and ed., with an introd., by W. de Kerlor. il *$2 (3c) Stokes 130 17-13485
This work, translated from the French, is based on investigations in a field to which scientists of note in the United States, with the exception of William James, have given little attention, that of psychic phenomena. In France, on the other hand, the translator assures us, such investigations, have made such progress as to gain national recognition. The book is based on experimental studies and consists of collected papers that were written during the period from 1893 to 1903. Animal magnetism in the light of new investigations, Mesmerism and suggestion, The provocation of sleep at a distance, The colors of human magnetism, The scientific study of spiritism, etc., are among the subjects.
“Professor Émile Boirac, rector of the Academy of Dijon, France, and author of this book, is an acknowledged leader of thought in matters both psychological and psychic. He has devoted many years to studying the problems pertaining to life and death, and this present book was awarded the prize in a contest to which many of the leading psychologists contributed. ... Though a scientific book, it is not without attraction for the lay reader.”
+ Boston Transcript p7 Je 13 ‘17 320w
Cleveland p91 Jl ‘17 30w
N Y Br Lib News 4:93 Je ‘17
+ R of Rs 56:106 Jl ‘17 80w
BOLIN, JAKOB. Gymnastic problems; with an introd. by Earl Barnes. il *$1.50 (4c) Stokes 613.7 17-12150
This book by the late Professor Bolin of the University of Utah has been prepared for publication by a group of his associates, who feel that the work is “one of the most important contributions to the subject of gymnastics which has been written in English.” In the first chapter the author discusses the relation of gymnastic exercise to physical training in general. His own position is that the aim of gymnastics is hygienic in a special sense, its object being to counteract the evils of one sided activity. The remaining chapters are devoted to: The principle of gymnastic selection; The principle of gymnastic totality; The principle of gymnastic unity; The composition of the lesson; Progression; General considerations of method.
“Of value to all teachers of physical education and to those interested in healthful efficiency.”
+ A L A Bkl 14:10 O ‘17
BONNER, GERALDINE (HARD PAN, pseud.). Treasure and trouble therewith. il *$1.50 (1½c) Appleton 17-21974
“After the opening scene, which pictures a hold-up and robbery of a Wells-Fargo stage coach in the California mountains, the story drops into more conventional lines of romance. The robbery, which is the act of two rough prospectors, is the prelude to the social experiences in San Francisco of a familiar type of cosmopolitan adventurer. He is little better than a tramp when he discovers the robbers’ cache. He makes off with the gold and conceals it near San Francisco. Being well-born and educated, though thoroughly unscrupulous, he finds an easy entrance to San Francisco society.” (Springf’d Republican) The rest of the book gives the story of his life in the city. The California earthquake of 1906 plays an important part in the story.
56
+ A L A Bkl 14:59 N ‘17
“Geraldine Bonner has a good plot in ‘Treasure and trouble therewith,’ although not an especially attractive one. ... All her pictures of California are vivid and sympathetic, but the character drawing is unskilful.”
+ — N Y Evening Post p3 O 13 ‘17 80w
“Miss Bonner has endeavored, with commendable success, to combine realism with the stirring incidents and dramatic situations of the story of plot and action. Especially good are the chapters which deal with the earthquake.”
+ N Y Times 22:311 Ag 26 ‘17 770w
“In spite of the complete lack of plausibility, the book affords a certain measure of diversion.”
– + Springf’d Republican p15 S 16 ‘17 300w
BOSANKO, W. Collecting old lustre ware. (Collectors’ pocket ser.) il *75c (3½c) Doran 738 A17-1002
The editor in his preface says that he believes this to be the first book on old English lustre ware ever published. He adds: “Yet there are many collectors of old lustre ware; it still abounds, there is plenty of it to hunt for, and prices are not yet excessive. By the aid of this informative book and the study of museum examples a beginner may equip himself well, and may take up this hobby hopefully, certain of finding treasures.” There are over forty-five illustrations.
A L A Bkl 13:436 Jl ‘17
“Simple, practical handbook.”
+ Cleveland p97 Jl ‘17 20w
N Y Br Lib News 5:75 My ‘17 20w
+ R of Rs 56:220 Ag ‘17 50w
BOSANQUET, BERNARD. Social and international ideals. *$2.25 Macmillan 304 (Eng ed 17-28213)
“This volume is a collection of essays, reviews, and lectures, all of which, with one exception, were published before the war, and most of which on the face of them reveal that fact. ... Though the contents of the volume seem at first sight to be fortuitously put together, there runs through them unity of spirit, thought, purpose, and manner.” (The Times [London] Lit Sup Jl 12 ‘17) “Most of the pages (14 out of 17 are reprinted from the Charity Organization Review) discuss the principles which should govern our handling of social problems with the view of displaying ‘the organizing power which belongs to a belief in the supreme values—beauty, truth, kindness, for example—and how a conception of life which has them for its good is not unpractical.’” (The Times [London] Lit Sup Je 21 ‘17)
“We may single out, as of special importance in this new volume, Mr Bosanquet’s idea of the growth of individuality and his idea of the structure of political society. In the chapter on ‘Optimism’ he points out that the mistake of its opponents is the acceptance of their momentary experience as final. ... Criticism, confined to a few sentences, must obviously be inadequate. ... If there are omissions in Mr Bosanquet’s analysis of fact, his ideal also appears to be too simple.”
+ Ath p398 Ag ‘17 950w
“It is a great privilege to listen to a wise man and a real logician, who is at once a wit and a humanitarian. Dr Bosanquet was not for nothing a fellow in moderations. The whole book is full of sound common sense.”
+ Boston Transcript p8 Ja 19 ‘18 600w
Cleveland p135 D ‘17 60w
“Written in a strain of reasoned optimism.” M. J.
+ Int J Ethics 28:291 Ja ‘18 200w
“Here we have the precious kernel of wisdom in the hard nut of paradox. No doubt, justice and kindness, beauty and truth are the things that matter most, and it is no small service to direct our thoughts once again to them. But how to embody and realize them in the maze and tangle of our actual world, that is a problem apparently too great for any single thinker.” R. F. A. H.
+ — New Repub 13:353 Ja 19 ‘18 1850w
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p299 Je 21 ‘17 130w
“If we are tempted to say that these pages show his aptitude for making simple things look difficult, they reveal also the meaning of life. They disclose to those living the humblest of lives that they may enter if they will—the door is ever open—to regions the highest and purest. ... If the book contained nothing else than some of the observations in the last chapters as to true pacifism and patriotism, it would make every reader its debtor.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p326 Jl 12 ‘17 1800w
BOSSCHÈRE, JEAN DE, il. Christmas tales of Flanders. il *$3 Dodd 398
Popular Christmas tales current in Flanders and Brabant, translated by M. C. O. Morris, and spiritedly illustrated partly in color and partly in black and white by Jean de Bosschère.
“The engaging color-work of Mr de Bosschère is full of brilliancy, and makes of this Christmas book a rich gift from a country now sorely stricken.”
+ Lit D 55:53 D 8 ‘17 50w
“A very charming book for young people, and so interestingly illustrated that their elders will find it almost equally attractive. All the pictures have humor, dexterity, force, and appreciation of character.”
+ N Y Times 22:514 D 2 ‘17 70w
“This handsome and well-illustrated book is one of the most attractive we have seen this season. ... Some of the drawings seem to us a little scratchy, but they will all be clear to a child. They lack the tortured straining after originality and the purposeful ugliness which modern art has occasionally thrust upon the nursery.”
+ — Sat R 124:sup10 D 8 ‘17 280w
Spec 119:sup628 D 1 ‘17 330w
“The stories are sometimes abrupt in their inconclusiveness; homely and almost entirely unromantic. Sometimes a disagreeable hint of cynicism obtrudes itself; but this may have been left on our minds by the association with M. de Bosschère’s illustrations. They are completely unsuited to their purpose.”
– + The Times [London] Lit Sup p621 D 13 ‘17 200w
BOSTWICK, ARTHUR ELMORE. American public library. il *$1.75 (2c) Appleton 020 17-17641
This is a new edition, revised and brought up to date, of a book written by the librarian of the St Louis public library and first published seven years ago. “As a matter of mechanical necessity, no doubt, the revisions and additions have limited themselves to such changes as could be made, here and there, without requiring any considerable resetting or recasting of the pages, so that the former pagination is retained, except that two pages have been added to the index. The table of contents of the first edition has also been reprinted without change, though a few of its details do not apply to the new edition, and a few details in the new edition find no place in the reprinted table of contents. Among alterations made necessary by recent developments, several of importance arrest attention in the chapter on ‘The library and the state.’ A useful list of American library periodicals takes the place of the old list of library clubs.” (Dial)
A L A Bkl 14:66 N ‘17
“The only comprehensive manual in its special field.”
+ + — Dial 63:468 N 8 ‘17 220w
BOTHWELL-GOSSE, A. Civilization of the ancient Egyptians. (Through the eye ser.) il *$2 (7c) Stokes 913.32 17-1644
The motto of the series to which this book belongs is “Look and understand.” A publisher’s note has this to say of the purpose of the 57series: “Its central idea is the treatment of subjects of general interest in a plain manner, relying to a large extent on a profusion of illustration to elucidate the text.” There are over 150 illustrations in the present volume, accompanied by descriptive text, with chapters on: The Egyptians, their temperament and domestic life; Education; Professions and occupations; Amusements; Architecture—pyramids and temples; Sculpture and painting; Science—engineering skill; Medicine; Science—astronomy; Government and laws; Religion; Literature.
“Of value chiefly for its excellent illustrations.”
+ A L A Bkl 13:349 My ‘17
“Special attention is given to ancient home life.”
+ Pratt p32 Jl ‘17 10w
BOTTOME, PHYLLIS. Derelict. il *$1.35 (2c) Century 17-14180
“The derelict” is a story that has been running as a serial in the Century Magazine this year. It is a study of the situation that results from the efforts of a well-meaning young woman to rescue a girl from the underworld. Emily Dering, engaged to Geoffrey Amberley, intentionally throws her protégé in his way. It is part of her program for Fanny’s reform, and when the girl suddenly turns about and goes back to her old life, she of course does not understand the nobility of purpose that lay back of the act. The story, which is only a long short story, is followed by seven others, also reprinted from the Century: The liqueur glass; “Mademoiselle l’Anglaise”; An awkward turn; The syren’s isle; “Ironstone”; The pace; Brother Leo.
“Of all the stories in this excellent collection of eight, ‘The liqueur glass’ seems to one reader at least by far the best—not only the best of these, but outstanding among the myriad output of the year.” F. A. G.
+ Boston Transcript p6 Je 13 ‘17 530w
“The things that pleased us in ‘The dark tower’ were its economy of utterance and its simple relation of a story whose characters made its telling worth while. In this connection the only story that is really worth the reader’s attention—judged by Phyllis Bottome’s own standard of work—is the title piece.”
+ — Dial 63:73 Jl 19 ‘17 100w
“Miss Bottome’s manner is of the well-bred school, with a family resemblance to Mrs Wharton’s and Miss Sedgwick’s, her work has the finish and proportion which, in fiction as elsewhere, are the reward of the artist in contrast with the improvisator.”
+ Nation 105:370 O 4 ‘17 400w
“A strong and piquant flavor of personality breathes from all her pages and gives to them a unique tang—something that is always a blessed thing to find in fiction of any sort.”
+ N Y Times 22:206 My 27 ‘17 720w
“With one or two exceptions they have grim and tragic plot-ideas, but the author has a sense of humor and her art is of the finest. ‘The liqueur glass,’ for instance, might have been written by Edmond de Goncourt.”
+ Outlook 116:304 Je 20 ‘17 50w
BOTTOME, PHYLLIS. Second fiddle. il *$1.35 (2c) Century 17-28800
“You know, a secretary is a kind of second fiddle. ... I like being a second fiddle.” So speaks Stella Waring, secretary for seven years to Professor Paulson, the great naturalist, and later to Mr Leslie Travers, expert accountant. Stella’s father was a dreamy antiquarian, and her mother a gentlewoman who “did not manage anything and when she was very unhappy said she was in tune with the infinite.” So the three girls, Eurydice, the “suppressed artist,” Cicely, who studied medicine, and Stella, had to fend for themselves. The story concerns itself mainly with the business life and the love affairs of Stella, more especially her affair with Sir Julian Verny, who is invalided home from the front.
+ A L A Bkl 14:129 Ja ‘18
“The tale is told with Miss Bottome’s customary fluency and charm: Stella stands out as the living and original characterisation of the book.” H. W. Boynton
+ Bookm 46:491 D ‘17 190w
“The chief charm of the story is in the telling—the dash, the sparkle, the ready humor, and the quick, fine understanding.” R. T. P.
+ Boston Transcript p6 N 10 ‘17 1150w
“It is a pity that Phyllis Bottome should waste her efforts on intellectual cream-puffs. A great deal of the psychology in ‘The second fiddle’ is accurate; but where could such happy endings possibly evolve? And how could one lovely, normal girl be all but surrounded by a set of caricatures.”
— Dial 63:463 N 8 ‘17 110w
“For the human development of ‘The second fiddle’ is based upon the sound, and often neglected, psychological fact that sympathy is not pity; that out of love and understanding—and out of nothing else in the world—do human beings raise their hurt comrades from pain and defeat to human brotherhood and sanity and triumph once more. That is the theme of ‘The second fiddle.’ And it is that that lifts the book from the conventionality of its incident and the mere pleasantness of its romance to a place among novels that are not only readable but worth reading.”
+ N Y Times 22:452 N 4 ‘17 670w
“The great charm of the book—and its charm is not insignificant—lies in the unfolding of Stella’s personality, in delicious bits of humor tucked in like little surprises, and in most human love-making!” Doris Webb
+ Pub W 92:1374 O 20 ‘17 330w
“The author supplies a certain note of pathos, offset by humor and pointed wit.”
+ Springf’d Republican p17 D 9 ‘17 250w
BOUCHIER, EDMUND SPENSER. Sardinia in ancient times. *$1.75 (4c) Longmans 937.9 17-23952
Sardinia merits attention, the author says, “alike for the primitive civilization of which the architectural and artistic remains are numerous and varied, for the flourishing Phœnician colonies which fringed the southern and western shores during several centuries, and for the proof here given of the stimulating and consolidating effect of Roman rule even amidst unpromising surroundings.” His account is carried down to the year 600, with chapters devoted to: The prehistoric age; Legendary history; The Carthaginian supremacy; Natural products and commerce; The republican province; Carales; The early empire; The chief cities of Sardinia; The later empire; Architecture and the arts; Religion.
“Mr Bouchier has essayed the difficult task of writing a technical work in a popular style. The scholar will long for more critical apparatus, the layman will be bewildered by scientific details. Still both will find much that is worth while and valuable.” J. J. V.
+ — Am Hist R 23:208 O ‘17 400w
Ath p419 Ag ‘17 40w
Cath World 105:830 S ‘17 100w
“Mr Bouchier admits the insufficiency of materials, so far, for any complete history, but he does succeed in giving a fairly connected idea of the fortunes of the island and its people in rough outline.”
+ — Nation 105:267 S 6 ‘17 250w
“Mr Bouchier is doing useful work in writing monographs on the Roman provinces. After dealing with Spain and Syria, he has now summarized all that is known of ancient Sardinia.”
+ Spec 118:733 Je 30 ‘17 110w
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p206 My 3 ‘17 500w
BOULTING, WILLIAM.[2] Giordano Bruno; his life, thought, and martyrdom. *$3.75 Dutton 17-13237
“It is not an exaggeration to say that in the writings of Giordano Bruno, one of the most amazingly fertile of thinkers, are to be found the germs of all subsequent vital philosophic 58thought. ... [In this biography] there are chapters that deal with his birth and parentage, with his boyhood, and with his monastic life in the south; there is a satisfactory account of his early reading (in the classics, in the scholastics, in the Neo-Platonists, and in the writings of contemporary thinkers) and of his first wanderings, which were an inevitable consequence of that reading; a chapter is devoted to an analysis of the budding philosophy of his early works; the renewed wanderings are recounted; the seven books printed in London are explained; the further travels are retold: the final books are outlined; and then the trial and death of the restless and daring thinker are described.”—Am Hist R
“Notable is this book, not only because of its subject, but also because unmistakably its preparation and writing have been a work of solicitude of the heart as well as solicitude of the mind. The book is admirable both in its plan and in its execution. The usefulness of the book would have been greatly increased had it been provided with a critical bibliography of the literature relating to Bruno.” E: M. Hulme
+ — Am Hist R 23:376 Ja ‘18 900w
“The volume contains a useful analysis of Bruno’s principal writings.”
+ Ath p483 O ‘16 100w
Boston Transcript p10 O 13 ‘17 880w
“Though we believe that Bruno’s philosophy has never before been so well interpreted, so popularized, in English as by Mr Boulting, it is the excellence of the portrait of the man himself which distinguishes this biography.”
+ — N Y Times 23:5 Ja 6 ‘18 950w
Spec 117:sup605 N 18 ‘16 1850w
“In our judgment Dr Boulting’s scholarship is scarcely equal to the task he has undertaken. He is laborious, painstaking, widely read in the literature both ancient and modern which is germane to his subject, and he is inspired with a genuine though somewhat wayward enthusiasm for it; but alike in his appreciation of Bruno’s thought and in his presentation of its relations to the thought of other thinkers, both before and after, he seems to us to be wanting in the ‘judicium’ and the restraint of the true scholar.”
+ — The Times [London] Lit Sup p484 O 12 ‘16 1700w
BOURNE, RANDOLPH SILLIMAN. Education and living. *$1.25 (3c) Century 370.4 17-13424
Brief papers reprinted from the New Republic. Mr Bourne is author of a work on “The Gary schools.” He is also one of those disciples of John Dewey who are engaged in spreading the Dewey ideals of education thruout the land. They view education, not as a preparation for life, but as identical with living. Among the subjects under discussion are: Education and living; The self-conscious school; The wasted years; Puzzle—education; Learning out of school; Education in taste; Universal service and education; The schools from the outside; What is experimental education? Communities for children; Really public schools.
+ A L A Bkl 13:427 Jl ‘17
Cleveland p108 S ‘17 30w
“The fairest, the most impartial, description of the numerous educational experiments now making in America. His marshalling of them is impressive; his review of them, concise, lucid, constructive. One may therefore assert that ‘Education and living’ is the best handbook for teachers that has thus far appeared. The only serious fault to be found with this book is that it is either too comprehensively titled or too exclusive in confining itself almost entirely to the grammar and the high schools. Furthermore, the author is too brief and cursory in his treatment of the colleges.” Bayard Boyesen
+ — Dial 63:156 Ag 30 ‘17 1000w
+ Ind 91:108 Jl 21 ‘17 100w
R of Rs 56:440 O ‘17 40w
“Mr Bourne has made some searching analyses of our imperfect education system. But he has allowed himself to echo many innuendoes neither convincing nor entirely pertinent.”
+ — Springf’d Republican p6 O 22 ‘17 800w
BOUTROUX, ÉMILE.[2] Contingency of the laws of nature; tr. by Fred Rothwell. *$1.50 Open ct.
“This essay was presented as a thesis for a doctor’s degree to the Sorbonne by its author in 1874. Nearly fifty years have passed, and now it is brought into English with a special preface by the author. The two leading thoughts of the work may be stated in the language of its author. ‘The first is that philosophy should not confine itself to going over and over again the philosophical concepts offered us by the systems of our predecessors with the object of defining and combining them in more or less novel fashion: a thing that happens too frequently in the case of German philosophers.’ Philosophy, he holds, should keep itself in touch with the realities of nature and life; it should be grounded on the sciences. So he has sought to replace a philosophy essentially conceptual by one moulded upon reality. Secondly, to his mind all systems can be divided among three types, materialistic, idealistic and dualistic. He says: ‘These three points of view have this in common: they force us to regard as a chain of necessity, rendering illusory all life and liberty.’”—Boston Transcript
Boston Transcript p6 Ag 25 ‘17 430w
“As long as M. Boutroux criticizes the assumption of an ultimate mechanical explanation of phenomena he is contributing to our understanding of experience. When he substitutes rather arbitrarily another ultimate he makes his argument lose most of its point.” J. R. K.
+ — Int J Ethics 28:294 Ja ‘18 310w
“This book abounds in shrewd insights and in keen criticisms of the half-baked monistic philosophy which underlies current popular science.” M. R. C.
+ — New Repub 13:191 D 15 ‘17 1200w
BOWEN, MARJORIE, pseud. (MRS GABRIELLE MARGARET [CAMPBELL] COSTANZO). William, by the grace of God. 2d ed *$1.50 Dutton 18-83
“A story of the rising of the Netherlands against Philip II of Spain. The siege and relief of Leyden, and the assassination of William of Nassau, are prominent episodes; and there are glimpses of the massacre of St Bartholomew and the death of Coligny.”—Ath
“Tedious and lacking in ‘go.’ The Spanish governor of the Netherlands was Luis de Requesens, not ‘Resquesens.’”
— Ath p479 O ‘16 80w
“Whatever her faults of taste, this writer shows a power of projecting character which is rare among her fellow-workmen in this field.”
+ — Nation 105:487 N 1 ‘17 300w
“One cannot quite escape the feeling that the brave William, the cunning Philip, have been taken out of archives, dusted off, and dressed up into fiction, the former in white, the latter in black. But aside from this common failing of historical novels, ‘William, by the grace of God’ is a book of more than average veracity and vividness.”
+ — New Repub 13:sup16 N 17 ‘17 150w
“A picture of the times and an historical narrative rather than a novel.”
N Y Times 22:388 O 7 ‘17 260w
“The narrative is given frankly in the form of a romance, not a history. The author has already treated several historical personages by this method and is unusually successful in recreating the atmosphere of past times.”
+ R of Rs 56:550 N ‘17 50w
“An admirable novel.”
+ Spec 117:773 D 16 ‘16 10w
59BOWER, B. M., pseud. (BERTHA MUZZY SINCLAIR) (MRS BERTRAND WILLIAM SINCLAIR). Lookout man. il *$1.35 (1½c) Little 17-22305
“A worse than foolish escapade in the environs of Los Angeles, and Jack Corey suddenly finds himself in danger of arrest for manslaughter. His flight to Feather River canyon in northern California follows. He secures the position of ‘lookout man’ on the summit of Mount Hough, and here, in the little house of glass, the ‘observatory’ for forest fires ... he starts upon a new life. ... Then fate ... sends Marion Rose to him. Her coming to the Toll house had been almost as sudden, as had been his to the great peak towering above it. Only in her case the haste was legitimate. An unexpected opportunity to share with friends a certain mining claim, which is of course to bring wealth to them all. ... She and Jack become ‘comrades.’ And indeed Marion proves herself a real one, when the ‘lookout man’s’ identity being discovered, a peculiar complication develops.”—Boston Transcript
A L A Bkl 14:62 N ‘17
Boston Transcript p6 Ag 22 ‘17 350w
Cleveland p103 S ‘17 50w
“A pleasant, entertaining little story.”
+ N Y Times 22:318 Ag 26 ‘17 350w
BOWER, B. M., pseud. (BERTHA MUZZY SINCLAIR) (MRS BERTRAND WILLIAM SINCLAIR). Starr, of the desert. il *$1.35 (2c) Little 17-13075
It was her father who sent Helen May down into the desert to herd goats. He was worried about Helen May’s health and all neglectful of his own. The doctor had ordered a change of climate and out-of-door life for the girl, and the father, buying a relinquished claim in New Mexico, made arrangements to carry out the doctor’s orders. Then he died, and Helen May and her young brother, Vic, feel that his wishes must be complied with. They know nothing of desert life and less of goats, but they find a good friend in Starr. Starr is something of a mystery for a time. He is really a secret service man engaged in heading off a Mexican revolution. Circumstances make it appear to him that Helen May is involved in revolutionary plots, but this mistake, fortunately, is easily explained.
A L A Bkl 13:452 Jl ‘17
+ Boston Transcript p6 My 9 ‘17 460w
“A thrilling tale.”
Ind 90:474 Je 9 ‘17 40w
“The machinery of the narrative creaks a bit at times, but the style is so far superior to that of the average performance in this kind that one may willingly consent to be fooled in the matter of plot.”
+ — Nation 105:246 S 6 ‘17 350w
+ N Y Times 22:190 My 13 ‘17 310w
BOWERS, EDWIN FREDERICK. Bathing for health; a simple way to physical fitness. *$1 (4c) Clode, E: J. 613 17-8215
The bath as a preventive and as a curative agent is the subject of this book. Contents: Civilization and the bath; Bathing and morality; Why man needs the bath; The bath tub route to health; Baths as “big medicine”; Cold baths and common sense; Bathing for beauty; Smoothing ragged nerve edges; Sea and surf bathing; Fomentations, cold compresses and wet packs; “Hydrotherapy”; Sunstroke, icy tubs and heat prostration; Turkish and Russian operations, etc.
St Louis 15:173 Je ‘17 10w
“Neither faddish nor extreme.”
+ St Louis 15:410 N ‘17 40w
BOWERS, R. S. Drawing and design for craftsmen. (Handcraft library) il *$2 McKay 740 A17-1322
The chapters of this book are so arranged as to form a series of consecutive lessons, beginning with a treatment of the simple principles of drawing and working up gradually to the application of principles in practical design for woodwork, glazing, stenciling, metalwork, etc. The illustrations, of which there are over 700, “have been prepared and selected with a view not only of elucidating elementary principles, but of providing a storehouse of motifs, suggestions, styles, and treatments of which the craftsman will be glad to avail himself.”
+ A L A Bkl 14:12 O ‘17
+ Ath p430 S ‘16 70w
“His text abounds with practical hints and suggestions which should prove very helpful to the student.”
+ Int Studio 60:53 N ‘16 160w
Pratt p30 O ‘17 20w
“The book would be suitable for self instruction, would also offer suggestions to teachers of drawing and design.”
+ Quar List New Tech Bks Jl ‘17 50w
BOWERS, R. S., and others. Furniture making. (Handcraft library) il *$2 McKay 684 (Eng ed 16-10852)
This book gives “designs, working drawings, and complete details of 170 pieces of furniture, with practical information on their construction.” It is a book for the advanced workman, as it does not concern itself with the elementary processes of woodworking. These will be treated in a later volume of the series. There are over 1,000 illustrations.
+ Quar List New Tech Bks Jl ‘17 50w
BOWIE, WALTER RUSSELL. Master of the Hill: a biography of John Meigs. il *$3 (3½c) Dodd 17-28879
The biography of a schoolmaster. John Meigs was for thirty-five years head-master of the Hill school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. His life story is here written by one who was associated with him first as a pupil and later as one of the teachers in the school. Contents: Schoolmaster and man; John Meigs’ ancestry, and his antecedents at the Hill; Boyhood and youth; The beginning of the venture; Lights and shadows; Ideals for the school; The making of men; The life within; Final achievements and a finished life; Victory.
+ A L A Bkl 14:127 Ja ‘18
Boston Transcript p7 N 10 ‘17 380w
“The author has succeeded in making us glad that a man like John Meigs lived among us, and that he lives in this book. Doubtless this is in part due to the fact that Bowie is himself an old Hill boy and former Hill master as well, and brought to his task not only the authority of personal knowledge, but the ability to write well.”
+ Nation 105:667 D 13 ‘17 1000w
“It is enough for us to say here that this book, written by one who was first his pupil and afterwards a teacher in his school is pervaded by his spirit of absolute sincerity. It is appreciative, warmly affectionate, even at times eloquently enthusiastic, but it is not indiscriminating.”
+ Outlook 118:31 Ja 2 ‘18 140w
BOWMAN, ISAIAH. Andes of southern Peru: geographical reconnaissance along the seventy-third meridian. il *$3 (3c) Pub. for the Am. geographical soc. of N.Y. by Holt 558 17-1921
This work by the director of the American geographical society, is an outgrowth of the Yale Peruvian expedition of 1911, under the direction of Hiram Bingham. The author’s part in the expedition was the mapping of the country between Abancay and the Pacific, a stretch of two hundred miles. The book is divided into two parts. The first, Human geography, is devoted to native life, economic products, climate, etc.; the second to Physiography of the Peruvian Andes. There are seven topographic maps and many diagrams in addition to the noteworthy illustrations from photographs.
60
+ A L A Bkl 13:294 Ap ‘17
“The originality of thought and content, the brilliancy of style, the many original maps and diagrams, the wonderfully beautiful half-tone illustrations, all combine to make this work a noteworthy contribution to geographic science and to our knowledge of Peru.” G. B. Roorbach
+ Ann Am Acad 73:233 S ‘17 250w
“Mainly scientific in its plan and purpose, this study of the mid-southern section of Peru makes a considerable appeal to general interests on account of the information it gives regarding the inhabitants of that region.”
+ Boston Transcript p8 Ja 24 ‘17 330w
“While a physical geographer might be better equipped to make use of the valuable information collected in this book, there are many pages interesting to the casual reader.”
+ Ind 90:257 My 5 ‘17 50w
“Mr Bowman has made repeated journeys in South America, of which, unfortunately, no sufficient account is given in the volume before us, though they have deservedly brought him a gold medal from the Geographical society of Paris. His explorations have thrown much new light on the Andes, long known but never so well described as in his book. A series of contoured maps by K. Hendricksen, topographer of the expedition, are cartographic oases in an uncharted desert.”
+ Nation 105:203 Ag 23 ‘17 1150w
+ N Y Times 22:273 Jl 22 ‘17 110w
R of Rs 55:555 My ‘17 130w
+ Springf’d Republican p17 Jl 8 ‘17 200w
BOWMAN, JAMES CLOYD, ed. Promise of country life. *$1 Heath 808 16-12269
“‘The promise of country life,’ is the attractive title of a book of descriptions and narrations to be used as models in an agricultural course in English. ... The work has been carefully planned. The author says in his preface: ‘The first group of selections has to do with the type of individual who is most at home in the country. The second treats of the pleasures which may be found in solitude; the third shows how various types of men have found enjoyment in a rural environment; the fourth contrasts life in the city with life in the country; still another describes man’s mastery over the crops of the fields and domestic animals.’ ... The selections have been chosen from such well-known writers as John Burroughs, Hamlin Garland, James Lane Allen, Corra Harris, Guy de Maupassant, and Lyoff N. Tolstoi.”—School R
“Good for general reading and for high-school libraries that would not have many of the authors represented.”
+ A L A Bkl 13:255 Mr ‘17
“A book of this sort may well exercise a real influence in opening the eyes of young people to the real opportunities and genuine charm of country life.”
+ Educ R 54:208 S ‘17 50w
+ Ind 87:232 Ag 14 ‘16 40w
“In his effort to appeal to farm boys, Mr Bowman has happily broadened his appeal to American boys and girls. The selections, without being erudite, are full of the call of the woods and the by-lanes and the out-of-doors.”
+ School R 25:68 Ja ‘17 350w
Reviewed by E. F. Geyer and R. L. Lyman
+ School R 25:610 O ‘17 270w
“In schools and on the country book shelf it is worthy of permanent place.” H. W. F.
+ Survey 38:175 My 19 ‘17 110w
BOWSER, THEKLA. Britain’s civilian volunteers. il *$1.50 Moffat 361 17-14033
“Some eight years ago there was started in England an organization known for short as the V. A. D. Now at the time, members of the Volunteer aid detachments who took seriously their training in hospital work and canteen service were looked on with mild amusement. But when August, 1914, came there was the nucleus of that tremendous body of workers on whom the Red cross and the medical staff have depended and without whom their work could not have been done. ... The book is an unadorned account of the many sorts of work done in France, Belgium and Great Britain by these volunteer workers, men and women.”—Ind
A L A Bkl 14:52 N ‘17
+ Cleveland p118 N ‘17 40w
“Some such methods will surely develop here, in making practical the immense and as yet not wholly regulated force of our National league for woman’s service and other civilian organizations. ... The pages have the intense interest that belongs to the story of great endeavor.”
+ Ind 90:436 Je 2 ‘17 350w
Pittsburgh 22:68 O ‘17 40w
Pratt p38 O ‘17 30w
Wis Lib Bul 13:220 Jl ‘17 50w
BOYAJIAN, ZABELLE C., comp. Armenian legends and poems. il *$8 Dutton (*21s Dent, London) 891.54
“Miss Boyajian has gathered examples of genuine Armenian art and literature, to show the world what contributions the horribly persecuted people of that country have made for its enrichment. Lord Bryce prefaces the work with a brief encomium of their poetry and painting, which he rightly says is less known than it deserves to be. This hint at its value is supplemented by a somewhat extended chapter by Aram Raffi on the epics, folk-songs, and medieval poetry of Armenia. Miss Boyajian, the daughter of an Armenian clergyman formerly British vice consul at Diarbekir and herself an artist of fine abilities, furnishes a dozen illustrations reproduced in soft and exquisite colors.”—Boston Transcript
+ Ath p541 N ‘16 100w
“Examples of folk-songs, medieval poems and lyrics by various nineteenth century authors are included, some of them from Alice Stone Blackwell’s versions. ... Most of the translations are made by Miss Boyajian, who dedicates the volume to ‘The undying spirit of Armenia,’ and who devotes all the profits from its sale to the cause of her countrymen. It is a worthy cause and magnificently upheld.”
+ Boston Transcript p8 F 7 ‘17 650w
+ Int Studio 61:99 Ap ‘17 280w
+ Sat R 122:sup5 D 9 ‘16 530w
Spec 117:sup684 D 2 ‘16 210w
The Times [London] Lit Sup p148 My 29 ‘17 1400w
BOYD, ERNEST AUGUSTUS. Contemporary drama of Ireland. *$1.25 (2½c) Little 822 17-7566
This is one of the first volumes to be issued in the Contemporary drama series, edited by Richard Burton. The aim of the series is to give in separate volumes an account of the contemporary drama in various countries. In this volume, devoted to Irish drama, the dramatic movement is shown to be related not only to the literary revival in Ireland, but also to the general revival of interest in the theatre which stirred the later nineteenth century. There are chapters on: The Irish literary theatre; Edward Martyn; The beginnings of the Irish national theatre; William Butler Yeats; The impulse to folk drama: J. M. Synge and Padráic Colum; Peasant comedy: Lady Gregory and William Boyle; Later playwrights; The Ulster literary theatre; Summary and conclusion. A bibliography is given in an appendix.
“Of more use to study clubs than to the casual reader. Has a good bibliography with dates, and a full index.”
+ A L A Bkl 13:340 My ‘17
“The only thing that is lacking in this little book is the element of style. To write without eloquence about such masters of the art of eloquence 61as Lord Dunsany, John M. Synge, and William Butler Yeats is to cheat the reader of the better half of criticism.” Clayton Hamilton
+ — Bookm 45:193 Ap ‘17 300w
Boston Transcript p9 F 21 ‘17 700w
+ Dial 62:484 My 31 ‘17 370w
“In his review of Yeats’s works Mr Boyd is eulogist and apologist rather than critic, but he writes with a keen appreciation of his indisputable poetic gifts. In a kindly but just and searching criticism of Lady Gregory’s plays, Mr Boyd, while fully recognizing the value of her zeal and ability to the cause which she has championed, rightly concludes that the majority of them are not important contributions to literary drama or in harmony with the aims of a national theatre.” J. R. Towse
+ Nation 105:546 N 15 ‘17 1000w
“Mr Boyd’s book, for all that, makes a valuable guide to the American or English reader, whose standards and preconceptions are always voiced in the judgments of the author. One cannot help feeling that importance is being given to things really little, and that Mr Boyd planned a definitive handbook and executed it accordingly.”
+ — N Y Times 22:225 Je 10 ‘17 260w
Pratt p36 O ‘17 40w
“It is to be regretted that in dealing with such a fascinating topic he cramped himself by a somewhat dry and commonplace style, but even with this handicap the work is of some value for the information it furnishes regarding a noteworthy dramatic movement. As a popular hand-book it fulfils its function satisfactorily.”
+ Springf’d Republican p6 Mr 12 ‘17 450w
BRACQ, JEAN CHARLEMAGNE. Provocation of France. *$1.25 Oxford 944.08 16-24205
“Professor Bracq, holding the chair of French literature at Vassar college, has undertaken, in this interesting little volume, to tell in simple language the story of the provocation and aggression to which France has been subjected by the German government in the last half century, and to describe the general dignity, calmness, and good faith with which the French republic has met this course on the part of Germany. ... Professor Bracq is himself in close sympathy with the pacifist movement in France, of which the Baron d’Estournelles has been the leader.”—N Y Times
“By the author of ‘France under the republic’ (A L A Catalog 1904-1911). ... From the French point of view, of course, but temperate and supplied with reference to sources.”
+ A L A Bkl 13:393 Je ‘17
“Professor Bracq writes temperately of Germany’s treatment of his country, but nevertheless with tense feeling.”
+ Boston Transcript p8 Ja 24 ‘17 140w
“There is no doubt of the enthusiasm and patriotism of Dr Bracq, but it is a question whether he might not have served his end better had he observed more reticence of feeling and precision of phrasing.”
+ — Cath World 105:696 Ag ‘17 150w
+ Cleveland p102 S ‘17 40w
+ Ind 90:382 My 26 ‘17 50w
“For all the facts he cites he gives careful reference to his sources, and any student can, if he wish, verify the author’s statements. Professor Bracq has given in a couple of hundred pages an excellent summary of the history of the last half century.”
+ N Y Times 22:10 Ja 14 ‘17 240w
“Prof. Bracq’s book, though written from the French point of view, may be recommended to those who wish to know historical facts.”
+ Springf’d Republican p8 Mr 1 ‘17 450w
BRADFORD, GAMALIEL. Naturalist of souls; studies in psychography. *$2.50 (4c) Dodd 804 17-24248
Mr Bradford gets the title for his book from Sainte-Beuve’s description of himself: “I am a naturalist of souls.” “He discusses in the first chapter the psychographic method in the writing of biography, endeavors to define what it is and what it is not, considers the material to be used and the manner of using it, and defines psychography briefly as ‘the condensed, essential, artistic presentation of character.’ It differs, he explains, from ordinary biography in that it discards the chronological method of treating its subject’s life and uses the material facts as a means of illuminating the inner life.” (N Y Times) Contents: Psychography; The poetry of Donne; A pessimist poet (Leopardi); Anthony Trollope; An odd sort of popular book (Burton’s “Anatomy of melancholy”); Alexander Dumas; The novel two thousand years ago; A great English portrait-painter (Hyde, earl of Clarendon); Letters of a Roman gentleman (Pliny, the younger); Ovid among the Goths; Portrait of a saint (Francis of Sales). The author states that only the last three portraits “are elaborate specimens of psychography working consciously.”
“Using the same delightful method which made his ‘Portraits of women’ a joy to readers of discriminating taste, Mr Bradford analyzes and reveals further personality.”
+ A L A Bkl 14:85 D ‘17
Boston Transcript p7 S 12 ‘17 850w
“Delightful studies with a strong appeal to every thoughtful reader.”
+ Cath World 106:540 Ja ‘18 270w
“Mr Bradford writes the sort of essay that is born of enthusiasm and affection. He is a humble and not unsuccessful follower of the great unconscious psychographers, Tacitus, Saint Simon, Sainte-Beuve, and, though he is not mentioned as such, R. L. S.”
+ Dial 63:459 N 8 ‘17 350w
“As psychographic studies they are arranged with a sort of crescendo effect. ... Mr Bradford’s exposition of his developed method of writing biographical studies throws light upon and adds interest to the long series of such portraits he has published, first in the Atlantic Monthly and afterward in book form.”
N Y Times 22:356 S 23 ‘17 670w
Pittsburgh 22:741 N ‘17 60w
BRADLEE, FRANCIS B. C. Eastern railroad. il *$2 Essex inst. 385 17-21687
“Much local history that is of more than local interest is to be found in ‘The Eastern railroad: a historical account of early railroading in eastern New England’ by Francis B. C. Bradlee. The author has not merely collected the details of the successive stages of financing and organization through which the Eastern railroad passed between 1836 and 1884, when it was merged with its old rival, the Boston and Maine. He gives these necessary facts both in the text and in several tables in the appendix. But he also is at pains to picture the conditions of early railroading and to show the impression, if one may call it such, that the railroad made upon the community at various periods.”—Springf’d Republican
“The illustrations of the old-time locomotives and tickets add much to the attractiveness of the book.” J. B. C.
+ Boston Transcript p8 N 7 ‘17 630w
“This volume makes no pretense at being a formal history, and may perhaps be described as a collection of interesting notes. Many amusing incidents are to be found in Mr Bradlee’s pages, and these throw light on manners of the past quite as much as on railroading.”
+ Springf’d Republican p13 Je 17 ‘17 800w
BRADLEY, ALICE. Candy cook book. il *$1 (2½c) Little 641.5 17-13104
A preliminary discussion of candy ingredients and necessary equipment is followed by recipes for home-made candies, arranged in chapters as follows: Uncooked candies; Assorted chocolates; Fudges; Fondant candies; Caramels and nougatines; Pulled candies; Hard candies; Glacés and pulled flowers; Crystallized fruits; Fruit and gelatine candies; Dried fruits and nuts; Meringues and macaroons; Popcorn candies; Decorated candies and cakes; Favors.
62“Discusses the food value of candy and gives sources of materials. Well illustrated.”
+ A L A Bkl 13:432 Jl ‘17
+ Pratt p24 O ‘17 30w
“The work is compiled with the care of an expert cookery book and appears to be reliable in all respects.”
+ Springf’d Republican p17 Ap 29 ‘17 170w
BRADLEY, WILLIAM ASPENWALL.[2] Garlands and wayfarings. *$1.50 Mosher 811 17-25839
“William Aspenwall Bradley has composed extremely artistic verse in ‘Garlands and wayfarings.’ His muse carries him everywhere, from a literary consideration to Jean Moreas and appreciations of nature, to a tribute to Jane Addams and some graphic pictures of sunset on the Connecticut. The various moods mirrored in the verses, however, are all those of a lover of beauty.”—Springf’d Republican
“His is at all times a courteous and gracious muse, vivid, clear and sweet. She deems it by far a more attractive appearance to be dressed in a linen suit with exquisite trimmings than in the sinuous silk of her modern sisters, suggestive and alluring in every movement. No, in ‘Garlands and wayfarings’ are the fruits of a ripe culture, a love of beauty and art for their own sake, an idyllic sensibility to nature and a classic sympathy with the spirit of life.” W. S. B.
+ Boston Transcript p8 O 31 ‘17 1000w
“His work is always that of a poet to whom the English language has revealed its secret of rich, lyrical expressiveness.”
+ — Springf’d Republican p13 D 16 ‘17 370w
BRADLEY, WILLIAM ASPENWALL. Old Christmas, and other Kentucky tales in verse. *$1.25 Houghton 811 17-25830
Some four years ago, Mr Bradley, a Connecticut author, contracted “mountain fever” while exploring the Kentucky Cumberlands and other parts of the southern Appalachian system, and remained there nearly six months, getting acquainted with “the life and character of the mountain people.” This volume, containing seventeen poems, is the result. “The stories,” says the author, “which I have attempted to tell are in no sense offered as generally representative of mountain life. ... All I have tried to do is to invest each story with as much as possible of the peculiar color and atmosphere of mountain life.” (Preface)
+ A L A Bkl 14:119 Ja ‘18
“A reading of these Kentucky tales has made me think of the nearness in his accomplishment of an indigenous Americanism, racy, humorous, pathetic, rich in local color, and characterization, more like Mark Twain than anything we have had in American verse.” W. S. B.
+ Boston Transcript p9 O 27 ‘17 1700w
“It cannot be pretended that this is a poetry of a high order; but Mr Bradley, in adapting to his use the life of the Kentucky mountain-folk, has hit upon extremely interesting material; he has given us some excellent stories, told in the folk-language, with many quaintnesses of idiom, and, on the whole, with the simplicity and economy that makes for effect.” Conrad Aiken
+ — Dial 63:454 N 8 ‘17 180w
“It is an interesting book, a contribution to our knowledge of our fellow citizens as well as a piece of creative writing. Mr Bradley makes his readers know the Cumberlands better than Mr Masters made them know Spoon River—and like them infinitely better.”
+ Lit D 55:36 N 17 ‘17 700w
“The interest and the value of the book lie, as do that of the Russian ethnographical novel, in its folk aspect.”
+ N Y Times 23:24 Ja 20 ‘18 870w
“They are picturesque, and full of color and atmosphere.”
R of Rs 57:106 Ja ‘18 160w
“For the most part he has tried to duplicate in verse the peculiarities of speech and simile that the Kentucky mountaineers use in conversation. Following this plan, he tells their really poetical stories in a truly native vein.”
+ Springf’d Republican p10 N 2 ‘17 330w
BRADY, CYRUS TOWNSEND. “By the world forgot”; a double romance of the East and the West. il *$1.40 (2c) McClurg 17-25243
On the morning of his wedding day, Derrick Beekman is shanghaied onto a vessel bound for the South seas. The man responsible for the deed is his best friend, George Harnash, who also loves Stephanie Maynard and is loved by her in return. But of this Beekman knows nothing when he comes to his senses in the hold of the “Susquehanna,” altho later the words of a dying mate, give him a clue. The steamer is wrecked and Beekman is cast upon an isolated volcanic island, inhabited by the descendants of early Dutch explorers. One of these is Truda, a girl of wondrous beauty who promptly makes him forget the woman he was to have married. An earthquake shatters the island and a tidal wave washes the lovers out to sea, to be rescued by the yacht that the Maynards and the repentant Harnash have sent in search of the missing man.
“As usual Dr Brady’s characters stand out boldly for what they are, some of them strong even in their weakness, his drawing of the two principal women actors being a particularly pleasing series of pen pictures.”
+ Boston Transcript p9 D 5 ‘17 290w
“Dr Brady kept life at a respectful distance when he wrote his latest book. Thus he has given that part of the public who is avid for novels of adventure an exciting volume.”
+ N Y Times 22:465 N 11 ‘17 330w
BRADY, CYRUS TOWNSEND. When the sun stood still. il *$1.35 Revell 17-12713
“For the period of his new story Dr Brady has chosen the time when the various tribes of Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, were busily at work conquering the lands and cities of the Canaanites. The story begins when its hero, Dodai, son of Ahoah, a prince of the tribe of Benjamin, goes with Salmon of the tribe of Judah as a spy to the city of Jericho. ... The tale concludes with the conquest of Gibeon. The biblical narrative on which Dr Brady’s novel is founded gives abundant opportunity for color and for dramatic effects.”—N Y Times
+ Dial 63:74 Jl 19 ‘17 100w
“The historical setting of this new book by Dr Brady is far enough back to take on the appearance of a beautiful picture, brilliant, oriental, and engrossing. ... Dr Brady’s association with moving-pictures has accentuated his tendency to melodrama, but he is always interesting.”
+ — Lit D 54:1857 Je 16 ‘17 150w
N Y Times 22:218 Je 3 ‘17 200w
BRAILSFORD, HENRY NOEL. League of nations. *$1.75 Macmillan 341 17-19730
“The volume discusses calmly and dispassionately pretty nearly all the problems which this war has raised. But it is primarily concerned with the scheme for a League of nations associated with Mr Taft to form a guarantee of the peace of the world. Mr Brailsford as he proceeds in the discussion is led to consider ‘The problems of nationality,’ ‘The roads of the East,’ ‘Sea power,’ ‘Peace and change,’ ‘The future of alliances,’ ‘The economics of peace,’ ‘America and the League of peace’—in short, to examine pretty nearly the entire political horizon. ... At the close of the volume are printed two schemes, ‘The war settlement’ and ‘The League of nations,’ a plan for the organization of peace.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
“This volume is well and thoughtfully written, and the author expresses himself with moderation.”
+ Ath p95 F ‘17 230w
63
+ Boston Transcript p9 O 6 ‘17 550w
“Fully to appreciate the wisdom, insight, and dignity of Mr Brailsford’s book one should contrast it with the boiling mess of polemical literature which is still being brewed on both sides of the long fighting line. Mr Brailsford insults no one, impugns no one’s motives, seeks no merely nationalistic interpretation of this war, and does not attempt to assume the rôle of supreme judge between the nations.” W. E. Weyl
+ Dial 63:198 S 13 ‘17 850w
“His review of world-politics is masterly. ... His book is certainly an excellent example of sane and persuasive political propaganda. It is more readable than a treatise and less ephemeral than a ‘war book.’ ... Mr Brailsford has shown in this book that the best tradition of English political thinking has not been altogether forgotten in the fog of emotionalism which the war has produced.” C. D. Burns
+ Int J Ethics 27:525 Jl ‘17 950w
“It is manifestly impossible to summarize his book or to criticise in detail statements and views beside which stand queries. Time and again, however, the reviewer has found himself wondering how the author could refer to Germany with such mildness and consideration. ... There is a great deal to think of in this volume—it is by no means negligible—when one has once forced oneself to ignore the absence of generous and righteous wrath and of a disposition not to take the hand from the plough till the furrow is done.”
– + Nation 105:407 O 11 ‘17 800w
“Mr Brailsford’s book stresses much more than does Mr Harris’s the importance to Europe, even Europe’s great need, of America’s help in the organization of a league of nations. But he does not show a tithe of Mr Harris’s understanding of the difficulties that lie in the way of our entering that league, nor does he show understanding of the procedure by which such a national action would have to be accomplished. His mistake is the same as that which so many publicists in Europe make over and over again—the mistake of thinking that, since the president of the United States has large powers, he must be able to do as he likes without regard to what may be the opinions and wishes of the people. ... But that mishap at the beginning of his work does not in the least lessen the value of his very able discussion of the general subject.”
+ — N Y Times 22:269 Jl 22 ‘17 470w
Pittsburgh 22:701 O ‘17 40w
+ St Louis 15:358 O ‘17 50w
“One who writes in form so reasonably earns consideration. He sees the weak points of his scheme and discusses them frankly. ... We are not insensible to the skill and sincerity of Mr Brailsford’s appeal, but we cannot see that there is any such dilemma as that on which he tries to impale us.”
Spec 118:271 Mr 3 ‘17 1800w
“Futurity is dark for him, as for most candid inquirers. The value of the book is that it will enlarge the horizon of most readers and will convince them that the formation of a League of nations is not so simple a matter, its consequences are not so clear, as its advocates often assume.”
The Times [London] Lit Sup p75 F 15 ‘17 1050w
BRAINERD, ELEANOR (HOYT) (MRS CHARLES CHISHOLM BRAINERD). How could you, Jean? il *$1.35 (1½c) Doubleday 17-28076
Jean Mackaye, when she lost her money, not only could, but did take a position to do general housework, because cooking was the thing about which she knew the most. She went to live with the Bonners, two “elderly infants,” who badly needed a caretaker. Mr Bonner specialized on moths, while Mrs Bonner was oblivious to most things except the fauna, flora and folk lore of the Faroe islands. How Jean mothered the Bonners in the city and went with them to their farm on the Connecticut river, how well-to-do Teddy Burton fell in love with Jean at first sight, and in order to make her acquaintance, answered the Bonner’s advertisement for a man of all work on the farm, and what came of it all is pleasantly told by Mrs Brainerd.
“Light, will be popular.”
+ A L A Bkl 14:130 Ja ‘18
+ Cleveland p132 D ‘17 60w
“The tale moves so slowly that it seems rather the material for a short story than for a book of 337 pages. It shows, however, Mrs Brainerd’s known knack for light fiction.”
+ — N Y Times 22:500 N 25 ‘17 220w
Reviewed by Joseph Mosher
+ Pub W 92:1373 O 20 ‘17 550w
BRAITHWAITE, WILLIAM STANLEY BEAUMONT, comp. Anthology of magazine verse for 1916, and year book of American poetry. $1.50 Gomme 811.08
For descriptive note see Annual for 1916.
“A valuable year book for the small library.”
+ A L A Bkl 13:256 Mr ‘17
Cath World 104:831 Mr ‘17 550w
“Whether through inability or unwillingness, Mr Braithwaite seems no nearer learning that there can be little excuse for an anthology which does not select. ... This year’s volume, like last year’s, is for the most part filled with the jog-trot of mediocrity. One must wade through pages and pages of mawkishness, dulness, artificiality, and utter emptiness to come upon the simple dignity of Mr Fletcher’s ‘Lincoln’ (marred by a faintly perfumed close), or the subdued, colloquial tenderness of Mr Frost’s ‘Homestretch,’ or the sinister pattern of ‘The hill-wife,’ or Miss Lowell’s delicately imagined ‘City of falling leaves.’ ... There can be no question that had Mr Braithwaite composed his anthology from books, instead of from magazines, it could have been one thousand per cent better. ... It very seriously misrepresents—or, rather, hardly represents at all—the true state of poetry in America to-day.” Conrad Aiken
– + Dial 62:179 Mr 8 ‘17 3700w
+ Ind 89:362 F 26 ‘17 130w
“For a book of avowedly temporary interest, for which the literary horizon is quite as significant as the zenith, I think of no one who could hold the balance between age and novelty, between tradition and adventure, more impartially than Mr Braithwaite.” O. W. Firkins
+ — Nation 105:596 N 29 ‘17 450w
“This is the fourth collection of American poetry which Mr Braithwaite has given us. In 1913 he found the current of what he calls ‘distinctive’ poetry running most strongly in the Smart Set. In 1914 the Smart Set, Bellman, and Forum marked an equal wave, while in 1915 the tide left all these high and dry and buried Poetry fathoms deep. This year we learn that ‘the radical influence of Poetry ... has waned,’ and it is the Poetry Review of America to which the capricious current turns.”
+ — N Y Times 22:117 Ap 1 ‘17 550w
“Decidedly the best of the series of his anthologies, or year-books, of American poetry so far published.”
+ R of Rs 55:437 Ap ‘17 300w
“The tireless optimism of William Stanley Braithwaite persists as one of the disquieting literary phenomena of the times. It was the dominating note in his ‘Anthology of magazine verse and year-book of American poetry’ last year and the year before; it is even more rampantly dominant in the anthology for 1916. ... Mr Braithwaite is not responsible for the material he has to work with; undoubtedly he is responsible for what he thinks of it. It is therefore not Mr Braithwaite’s fault that his anthology can scarcely compare with such a work as the garnerings of ‘Georgian poetry,’ of which two volumes have appeared in England within the last five years.”
+ — Springf’d Republican p15 F 25 ‘17 600w
64BRAITHWAITE, WILLIAM STANLEY BEAUMONT. Poetic year for 1916; a critical anthology. *$2 Small 821 17-26654
“The substance of the chapters in this book appeared in the columns of the Boston Evening Transcript, in a series of articles called ‘The lutanists of midsummer,’ and in the poetry reviews, which Mr Braithwaite contributed during 1916, to that paper.” (Acknowledgments) The book lacks an index, but the poets considered in each chapter are named in the table of contents.
“It makes a helpful supplement to the year’s ‘Anthology of magazine verse.’”
+ A L A Bkl 14:14 O ‘17
“For the last five years the largest part of Mr Braithwaite’s work has been criticism. ... A too excessive appreciation has been the charge oftenest brought against his estimate of poets. ... In this book, Mr Braithwaite comes nearer than he ever has before to explaining to the public his ideals for American poetry and his personal attitude toward his work.” D. L. M.
+ Boston Transcript p6 Ag 4 ‘17 1200w
“Though we must give credit to Mr Braithwaite for his labors, and even wonder at his industry, it is in the character of a collector and not that of a critic that his real value consists. A man may have sufficient taste—though Mr Braithwaite’s is by no means impeccable—to make a creditable collection of poems, and yet be incompetent to talk well about them; and hence a bare presentation of his favorites is much to be preferred to this latest method, where the poems are drowned in a sea of talk. For it is talk of the most insufferable sort, namely, that of a literary tea-party—emotional, vague, diffuse, grandiloquent, pompously platitudinous.”
— Cath World 106:125 O ‘17 880w
“At the very centre of his attitude toward poetry is the express belief that poetry is a sort of supernaturalism. ... In his present book, therefore, Mr Braithwaite puts a clear emotional emphasis on work which is characteristically sentimental. ... Consequently, such poets as are in the main realists, implicitly critical or analytical of life, or at the most neutrally receptive, are somewhat coolly entertained. ... Clearly, such an attitude reveals in Mr Braithwaite a very decided intellectual limitation. Must poetry be all marshmallows and tears?... The trouble with this book is at bottom, that while it has a rather intriguing appearance of being judicial, it is really, under the mask, highly idiosyncratic.” Conrad Aiken
— Dial 63:202 S 13 ‘17 1300w
“Mr Braithwaite, through himself or his proxies, says all manner of things, including some very good things. ... We all know that Mr Braithwaite keeps his praise in a ‘tank,’ and his drafts on that reservoir in the present volume are of characteristic liberality. As for standard English, he seems definitely to have severed his relationship with that archaism.” O. W. Firkins
+ — Nation 105:596 N 29 ‘17 400w
“If he had called it an appreciative, not a critical, anthology no one could have quarreled with him. But the idea of separation, of a division between black and white, at least, is implicit in the word ‘criticism,’ and of such separation there is little trace in Mr Braithwaite’s purling periods.”
– + N Y Times 22:477 N 18 ‘17 900w
“Among the especially pleasing chapters are ‘The idol-breakers,’ a discussion of free verse; ‘Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos & Co.,’ an appreciation of Edwin Arlington Robinson, and ‘Magic casements,’ which comments upon the poetry of Walter de la Mare, Lizette Woodworth Reese and Bliss Carman.”
+ R of Rs 56:217 Ag ‘17 230w
BRANDES, GEORG MORRIS COHEN. World at war; tr. by Catherine D. Groth. *$2 (2½c) Macmillan 940.91 17-13334
A collection of essays written before and during the war. The first is Foreboding, written in 1881, just as Bismarck’s state-socialistic ideas were being put into practice. “State-socialism, deprived of the fundamental principles of fraternity and self-government, is by the very nature of things a liberty-sapping doctrine,” wrote Brandes. Other papers written before the war are: The death of Kaiser Friedrich—1888—the death of the real German spirit; England and Germany—1905—the probability of war between them; German patriotism—1913—the glorification of war. Among those written after the outbreak of war are: The fundamental causes of the world war—1914; Different points of view on the war—1914; The great era—1915; Will this be the last war?—1915; The praise of war—1915; Protectors of small nations—1915; Ideals or politics—1916. Mr Brandes writes thruout as a neutral, and his open letter to M. Georges Clemenceau, reprinted in the volume, is a defense of Denmark’s neutrality.
A L A Bkl 13:442 Jl ‘17
“This book fails to get anywhere. It reflects the despondency of a brilliant man of the republic of letters who cannot comprehend the meaning of grave questions of the empire of the sword.”
— Boston Transcript p6 S 8 ‘17 270w
Cleveland p118 N ‘17 60w
“The book is evidence that the expert had better stick to his province. In the interpretation of literature many of us are anxious to hear what Dr Brandes has to say. As a publicist, he is quite frankly third-rate. His book is a rehash of old material and new comment which has no permanent value of any kind.” H. J. Laski
— Dial 63:15 Je 28 ‘17 100w
Ind 90:438 Je 2 ‘17 260w
“A more disappointing book on the war has scarcely been written. It preaches a doctrinaire pacifism.”
— Lit D 55:39 S 15 ‘17 270w
“In spite of these cosmopolitan ties, or rather because of them, he does not hesitate to deal praise or blame to all of the belligerents with equal vigor, according to his idea of the dictates of justice. He lays down the law like an Old Testament prophet to German militarists as well as to M. Clemenceau and Mr William Archer.”
+ Nation 105:374 O 4 ‘17 240w
“The book was completed before the United States had entered upon the contest, but we can infer what judgment would have been passed upon us by the unqualified statement that in 1898 we made war on Spain in order to secure the markets of Cuba. Of the combatant nations in this war, he credits none with any higher motive.”
N Y Times 22:207 My 27 ‘17 780w
R of Rs 56:214 Ag ‘17 80w
“Dr Brandes touches with fearlessness and a burning sense of justice upon the various aspects of the war without allowing himself to be biased by any one side.” B. D.
+ St Louis 15:313 S ‘17 30w
“Not all that he says will be acceptable to American readers, but in these days when it is essential for us to understand the war aims of all the belligerents, his book is at least of value in presenting opinion from a fresh point of view. ... Much of Dr Brandes’s reasoning is reversed by the revolution in Russia and the entrance of the United States into the war.”
+ — Springf’d Republican p6 My 21 ‘17 800w
“He is not a builder. He analyzes—brilliantly, keenly, cuttingly, yet not unkindly; he does not construct. But it is a relief to read one book on the war which does not propose a final solution of the problem of war. Brandes comes nearest to it when he preaches the gospel of free trade. He persists in looking at the war as a Dane and a Jew naturally looks at the war—detachedly, with a bit of a sob and a bit of a sneer for both sides.” L: S. Gannett
+ Survey 38:360 Jl 21 ‘17 650w
65BRANFORD, BENCHARA. Janus and Vesta; a study of the world crisis and after. *$2 Stokes 901 (Eng ed 17-17103)
“Mr Branford is well known in the educational world as a divisional inspector of the London county council. ... His zeal for universal vocational training is the expression of no narrow ideal of ‘national efficiency,’ but springs from a profound study of the conditions of development of the human spirit. It is, therefore, in complete harmony with his passionate conviction that a revival of university life (including a renaissance of the ‘wandering scholar’) is one of the most urgent needs of the time. ... In this connection Mr Branford argues with much force that universities have, during the modern epoch, largely forgotten their catholic mission, and have become, in many insidious ways, organs for the cultivation of national separatism and egotism. As a remedy for this state of things he presses the suggestion of a ‘world university,’ neutral, as the papacy is neutral, to be the guardian of the common spiritual interests of mankind, both western and eastern.”—Nature
Reviewed by F. H. Giddings
Educ R 56:167 F ‘18 550w
“To one at least it seems a noble book, full of a wise and strong humanity, worthy to be classed with writings to which all men pay homage. Any scientific reader who will start with the chapter on ‘Science and occupation’ and follow whither the clue leads will probably reach much the same opinion. ... Though his ideas are often at first provocative, they are generally seen, on candid consideration, to be widely and solidly based. No one concerned with the problems of our State internal or external, can afford to neglect them.”
+ Nature 99:142 Ap 19 ‘17 570w
“An impartial thinker, passionately eager to find a common understanding in every sphere of human life, not by ignoring difficulties, but by honestly attempting to reconcile them and transcend them.”
+ Sat R 123:85 Ja 27 ‘17 1300w
“The arrangement of the book baffles patience and even curiosity.”
Springf’d Republican p17 Jl 8 ‘17 170w
“It is only fair to the prospective reader to warn him that there are some passages in the book that seem reverberantly empty, and others whose content appears to be of the cloudiest; it will be for the reader himself to decide how far any apparent hiatus of meaning is due to failure of expression on the author’s part, how far to his own lack of intuition. This warning uttered, we commend the book whole-heartedly to the consideration of thoughtful people. Besides frequent nobility of thought, it shows much of the keen practicality that always characterizes the work of the true mystic.”
+ — The Times [London] Lit Sup p631 D 28 ‘16 1850w
BRASSEY, THOMAS BRASSEY, 1st earl. Work and wages; the reward of labour and the cost of work. *$1.25 Longmans 331 16-9980
“Lord Brassey describes this book on the title-page as ‘a volume of extracts, revised and partly re-written.’ They are taken partly from the original ‘Work and wages,’ which was published in 1872, and partly from other contributions of his to the subject, none of them later than 1879. They belong, therefore, to the past, and do not directly touch the most acute and recent labour questions of the moment.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
Pratt p11 Ja ‘17
“This little book should be put in our bookcases side by side with Thorold Rogers, for it adds a great many facts to the ‘Six centuries of work and wages.’”
+ Sat R 122:43 Jl 8 ‘16 450w
“The facts recorded and opinions expressed have a historical value, and some of them throw light on problems of perennial interest.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p183 Ap 20 ‘16 450w
BRERETON, FREDERICK SADLIER. On the road to Bagdad. il 6s Blackie, London
“The hero of this book has accomplishments beyond those of an ordinary subaltern. During his boyhood his guardian had taken him on many adventurous journeys in Mesopotamia, the pair frequently passing as natives, so perfect was their knowledge of the language and customs of the country. When the theatre of the great war was extended to Mesopotamia, the hero, as a member of the Expeditionary force, found himself detailed for all kinds of adventurous missions.”—Ath
“The story gives a graphic picture of the perils and dangers of the Expeditionary force in this land (Mesopotamia) of desert and marsh.”
+ Ath p54 Ja ‘17 90w
“Captain Brereton is an old hand at boys’ books, and he has mingled instruction and adventure well in this narrative.”
+ Sat R 122:sup6 D 9 ‘16 120w
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p606 D 14 ‘16 260w
BRESHKOVSKY, MME CATHERINE. Little grandmother of the Russian revolution; reminiscences and letters; ed. by Alice Stone Blackwell. il *$2 (2c) Little 17-31436
One of the first acts of Russia’s provisional government, after the revolution, was to liberate Madame Catherine Breshkovsky who for fifty years was not free from police surveillance and for thirty years was an exile in Siberia. Miss Blackwell has had access to three sources of information: the account of Madame Breshkovsky’s childhood and youth given to Doctor Abraham Cahan while she was in America in 1904; a description of her early prison experiences with an outline of her later life, published in the Outlook; and letters, many of them written to Miss Blackwell during the years since 1904. Miss Blackwell has put this material together chronologically, unfolding one of the most dramatic careers of all time. The work is valuable first as a human document; second, as a survey of the social problems that have sent so many missionaries of revolution among the peasants of Russia.
+ A L A Bkl 14:127 Ja ‘18
+ Boston Transcript p6 N 24 ‘17 1600w
+ Lit D 55:38 D 8 ‘17 150w
“Her viewpoint on the war is especially fine and valuable reading in this day; she is so deeply the lover of peace and of humanity, and so vigorous and clear-thinking an advocate of the carrying on of the war to a successful end for Russia and the Allies.”
+ N Y Times 22:584 D 30 ‘17 380w
“The letters deserve to live, not only because of their individual charm and interest, but because taken together they give a beautiful reflection from one of the noblest souls who has lived in our time. They are cheerful, often playful, and they are full of human sympathy and human interest. There is in them not a single note of despair, of personal resentment, and rarely is there any evidence of indignation because of her own hateful and wicked treatment.”
+ Outlook 117:614 D 12 ‘17 230w
“The skilful editing has plainly been a labor of love. Mme Breshkovsky appears in these intimate communications as a woman of unconquerable spirit, acutely sensitive to the sufferings and wrongs of the people, individually or in the mass, appreciative of the wrongs done to herself but much more concerned in acknowledging the kindnesses bestowed upon her by hosts of friends.”
+ Springf’d Republican p13 D 16 ‘17 1650w
BRIDGES, ROBERT SEYMOUR. Ibant obscuri; an experiment in the classical hexameter. *$5 Oxford 873 17-14043
“In this beautiful volume, one of the fairest products of the Clarendon press, Mr Bridges reprints his paraphrase in quantitative hexameters of part of Virgil’s sixth book and gives to the world for the first time a similar paraphrase 66of the scene between Priam and Achilles in the last book of the Iliad. His hexameters occupy the right-hand page, and in smaller type under each line is Virgil’s and Homer’s original, the Greek words being printed from an elegant fount in common use two centuries ago. On the left-hand page appear selections, each under its author’s name and date, framed in a cartouche, from the versions of previous translators, both in prose and verse, fifty-two Virgilian and twenty-eight Homeric, distinguished and undistinguished, curiosities like Gawin Douglas and Chapman, poets like Dryden, Pope, Cowper, and Morris, public men like Derby and Bowen, professional scholars in abundance, Conington, Mackail, Leaf, Simcox. Most important of all is Mr Bridges’s introduction, in which he explains clearly enough to all who can follow it the system upon which he has written these English hexameters.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
“An experiment of tranquil days, growing up around a friend’s paper on Virgil’s hexameter, lovingly and rather quaintly printed, has ‘loitered on,’ to appear in these tragic times. One may question whether the thing was worth doing, or worth printing when done; but hostile criticism is disarmed by the author’s frank abandonment of any claim.”
Nation 105:147 Ag 9 ‘17 1600w
“For our part, we see no special reason why any more hexameter verse, whether accentual or quantitive, should be written in the English tongue. The measure is, and remains, an exotic. In the accentual kind the most successful are the ‘Evangeline’ of Longfellow and the ‘Bothie’ of Clough; the former an exercise in romance, and the latter an experiment in fiction. One reads and enjoys them, but hardly desires successors.”
Sat R 123:sup4 Mr 31 ‘17 1300w
* The Times [London] Lit Sup p114 Mr 8 ‘17 2350w
BRIGHAM, GERTRUDE RICHARDSON. Study and enjoyment of pictures. il *$1.25 (3c) Sully & Kleinteich 750 17-12954
This work on pictures is divided into four parts: Principles of art criticism; Schools of painting; Pictures to see in America; Pictures to see in Europe. The author says, “About fifty of the most famous names in painting have been chosen for discussion, ranging from the renaissance down to the present day, unfolding the gradual progress of art, and indicating the motives which have influenced artists as great schools have arisen in one country after another. ... The illustrations have been selected from great artists, but of subjects not yet too well known, and hence they offer material for study.” There are sixteen illustrations. A short bibliography is provided at the end and there is an index.
“The ‘Pictures to see in America’ will help as a quick survey of the chief works of art in the leading cities of the country.”
+ A L A Bkl 13:436 Jl ‘17
+ Cleveland p114 S ‘17 60w
+ Dial 64:81 Ja 17 ‘18 280w
“Gertrude Richardson Brigham is instructor in the history of art at George Washington university. Her text is sensible but not always free from commonplaces.”
+ Springf’d Republican p15 Ag 19 ‘17 140w
BRITTAIN, HARRY ERNEST. To Verdun from the Somme; an Anglo American glimpse of the great advance. *$1 (4c) Lane 940.91 17-12615
The author visited France in company with James M. Beck, who contributes a foreword to the book. They spent some time with the British forces in the valley of the Somme, visited Verdun and were taken along the battle line of the French front, spending some time with the Russian soldiers who are fighting in France. There is no table of contents, but some of the chapter titles picked out at random are: The Somme; Behind the firing line; On the Peronne road; Tommy Atkins; French airmen; Through the Argonne; To the Russian lines; Rheims.
+ Ath p106 F ‘17 120w
“Descriptive writers are divided into two classes, those who can paint a picture and those who can take you there. The book under discussion belongs in the first group. ... Mr Brittain leaves out most of the petty happenings. Genial, though his style is, one cannot help the feeling that he has written with his gloves on. The two accounts of his visits to Verdun and to Rheims are exceptions to this lack of generosity on the author’s part.”
+ Boston Transcript p14 Ap 7 ‘17 420w
+ Ind 90:298 My 12 ‘17 60w
Pittsburgh 22:680 O ‘17
Pratt p38 O ‘17 10w
“Mr Brittain treats his subject with a freshness and simplicity which will make a sure appeal to his readers. Possibly one of the most interesting divisions of the book is that which deals with a visit to the Russian lines, and gives a short account of a Russian ‘church parade,’ at which the congregation was representative of anywhere ‘from Korea to the Caucasus.’”
+ Spec 118:616 Je 2 ‘17 250w
“Mr Brittain adds little to our knowledge of the war save his own sketchy views of the front as he found it, which are perhaps as valuable as those of other casual observers.”
Springf’d Republican p6 Ap 23 ‘17 80w
BRONNER, AUGUSTA FOX. Psychology of special abilities and disabilities. *$1.75 (2c) Little 371.9 17-11120
The author has made a special study of two classes: (1) those of normal general ability who possess some special disability; (2) those below normal in general capacities who possess some special ability. At present, she says, all persons are divided into two classes: normal and defective. Children are so divided and are taught accordingly. No provision is made for those on the border line who might be better adjusted to society if account were taken of their particular abilities and defects. Contents: The problem; Methods of diagnosis; Differential diagnosis; Some present educational tendencies; Special defects in number work; Special defects in language ability; Special defects in separate mental processes; Defects in mental control; Special abilities with general mental subnormality; General conclusions. The author is assistant director of the Juvenile psychopathic institute of Chicago.