Book Review Digest Devoted to the Valuation of Current Literature Reviews of 1920 Books (continued 32)

“He has covered the field in outline sufficient for the lay reader, and with an authority that will make this one of the lasting records of the war.”

+

N Y Evening Post p13 O 30 ’20 140w

R of Rs 62:671 D ’20 170w

PARTRIDGE, GEORGE EVERETT. Psychology of nations; a contribution to the philosophy of history. *$2.50 Macmillan 901

19–19152

“This is a psychologist’s appeal for an understanding of what is fundamental in our national life and a warning against radical and superficial thinking; it was written during the closing months of the war and in the days that followed. The first part of the book is a study of the motives of war—an analysis of such motives in the light of the general principles of the development of society. The second part of the book is a study of the present situation as an educational problem, in which we have for the first time a problem of educating national consciousness as a whole, or the individuals of a nation with reference to a world-consciousness.”—N Y Times

“Two chapters dealing with Internationalism and the School and two others on the Teaching of patriotism are especially sane and well-balanced and will be suggestive to teachers of American history who wish to base their influence for Americanization upon something less superficial than tradition and prejudice.” W: H. Allison

+

Am Hist R 25:740 Jl ’20 450w

Reviewed by C. G. Fenwick

Am Pol Sci R 14:340 My ’20 130w

“Part two, on education, offers many suggestions that should interest educators.”

+

Booklist 16:276 My ’20

Boston Transcript p7 Mr 13 ’20 420w

Brooklyn 12:95 Mr ’20 50w

“One’s total reaction to the book is emotional. It is impressive not as an argument or a scientific inquiry, but as a sermon. It is edifying rather than clarifying. One is swept along much as though one were reading a book of psalms; each sentence is an exhortation, and as one proceeds the exhortatory force accumulates until one ends in an ‘intoxication mood’ of edification. One can not emerge from the book without a feeling of enthusiasm for something which is critically important, but that something is intellectually elusive.” H. W. Schneider

+ −

J Philos 17:441 Jl 29 ’20 3400w

Reviewed by Joseph Jastrow

+

Nation 112:185 F 2 ’21 840w

“Mr Partridge has given to the public a book which doubtless will be, as it deserves to be, widely read.”

+

N Y Times 25:144 Mr 28 ’20 650w

R of Rs 61:336 Mr ’20 30w

“The large value of his book—which really ought to be called ‘The education of nations’—is that it presents, compiled and digested, the theories of many men who have dealt with a broad complex of problems.”

+

Springf’d Republican p10 Je 22 ’20 280w

The Times [London] Lit Sup p258 Ap 22 ’20 150w

PATCH, EDITH MARION. Little gateway to science. il $1 Atlantic monthly press 595.7

20–9285

Nature stories for young children. The author calls them “hexapod stories,” for they are all about six-footed insects, butterflies, bees, grasshoppers and the like. The titles are: Van, the sleepy butterfly, who was awakened by a January thaw; Old Bumble; The strange house of Cecid Cido Domy; Poly, the Easter butterfly; Jumping Jack; Nata, the nymph; Lampy’s Fourth o’ July; Carol; Ann Gusti’s circus; Gryl, the little black minstrel; Luna’s Thanksgiving; Keti-Abbot, the littlest Christmas guest. A word to the teacher follows and there are notes, with references to other books. The pictures are by Robert J. Sim.

“They are simply told without any sentimentality or ‘writing down.’ Good for school libraries as well as public.”

+

Booklist 17:78 N ’20

PATERSON, WILLIAM PATERSON, and RUSSELL, DAVID, eds.^[2] Power of prayer. *$4 Macmillan 217

20–15946

“In May, 1916, the Walker trust of the University of St Andrews offered certain prizes on ‘the meaning, the reality and the power of prayer, its place and value to the individual, to the church, and to the state, in the everyday affairs of life, in the healing of sickness and disease, in times of distress and national danger, and in relation to national ideals and to world-progress.’ In response to this offer one thousand six hundred and sixty-seven essays were received, coming from all quarters of the world and written in nineteen languages. The first prize was awarded to Rev. Samuel McComb, of Baltimore, Maryland, and is printed as the first paper following an interesting essay by Dr Paterson entitled ‘Prayer and the contemporary mind.’ Twenty other papers of varying length of different aspects of the subject are also printed.”—Bib World

“The quality of the essay by Dr McComb warrants the decision of the readers in his favor. This book is the most voluminous and satisfactory study of the subject that we know.”

+

Bib World 54:650 N ’20 320w

“Most appear to have read widely. They express themselves lucidly. They can give reasons, not unworthy of consideration, for the faith which is in them; though, with the exception of Canon McComb, no writer can be classed as a trained theologian of eminence. The volume has not, in consequence, the importance of the series of essays entitled ‘Concerning prayer,’ which Messrs Macmillan published a few years ago. The main value of the book consists in the light which it throws on the religious tendencies of the time.”

+ −

The Times [London] Lit Sup p514 Ag 12 ’20 1400w

PATON, STEWART. Education in war and peace. *$1.50 Hoeber

20–3200

“In ‘Education in war and peace,’ the author makes an appeal for a united effort by physicians, psychologists, and educators to search out and develop appropriately the basic instincts and deep emotional undercurrents which have so much to do in shaping personality, determining character, and controlling conduct. The current tendency to try to ‘compensate for personal inadequacy in facing the real problems of life’ by various forms of ‘wishful thinking’ is examined and illustrated.”—Survey

+ −

Dial 69:213 Ag ’20 90w

“His treatment is stimulating, and any educator or social worker may read the book with the hope of receiving immediate profit from it.” F. G. Bonser

+

Survey 44:494 Jl 3 ’20 270w

PATRICK, DIANA. Wider way. *$2 Dutton

20–11891

“Veronica Quening, with a dour and brutal market gardener (who is also a local preacher) for her father, but also with a devoted stepmother, entirely free from traditional stepmotherliness, is quite staggeringly fascinating, lovely, and magnetic. She has all our sympathy in her career as school teacher, as wife for a time—after another passionate love affair—of a German; and specially as friend of Lord Swathe, for there is evidently a kinship between the beautiful girl and the stately noble house. All ends well with Veronica.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup

“Harmless and pretty and silly.”

+ −

Ath p258 F 20 ’20 80w

“Veronica, with her complexities, her ambitions, her mental and spiritual endowments, her surface froth and her profound depths, is a creation that would do credit to an older and more practiced hand. As a whole, the novel is an exceptionally good first book, which reveals a real gift for story telling and a marked faculty for producing the illusion of reality.”

+ −

N Y Times 25:31 Jl 11 ’20 550w

+

The Times [London] Lit Sup p290 F 5 ’20 110w

PATRICK, GEORGE THOMAS WHITE. Psychology of social reconstruction. *$2 Houghton 301

20–19443

In considering the dangers that threaten our present civilization—reversion to barbarism, decadence, ill-timed social reforms, et al.—the author maintains that he is not taking the usual attitude of either advocate or critic, but that of a student of ultimate values. He sees in our present awareness of social evils a hopeful sign, but insists on the inadequacy of all economic and political reforms that disregard the psychological and historical factors. No reform can endure whose psychological basis does not rest on human needs and does not conform to human nature. The three first chapters are devoted to the psychological factors in social reconstruction and the remaining four to: The psychology of work; Our centrifugal society; Social discipline; The next step in applied science. There is an index.

Boston Transcript p7 N 13 ’20 620w

N Y Evening Post p23 D 4 ’20 240w

“The book is eminently readable and deserves a wide response.”

+

Springf’d Republican p8 Ja 20 ’21 160w

PATTERSON, FRANCES TAYLOR. Cinema craftsmanship. il *$2 Harcourt 808.2

20–17895

The author, who is instructor in photoplay composition in Columbia university, recognizes that the moving picture art is still in its infancy, but says that her motive for writing this book is faith in its future and a desire to help awaken the public to its possibilities. Contents: The art and the science; The plot; The characters; The setting; Adaptation; Scenario technique; Writing a synopsis for the photoplay market; Cinema comedy; The critical angle; The photoplay market. The scenario for the photoplay “Witchcraft” by Margaret Turnbull, awarded a prize offered by the Famous Players-Lasky company, is appended, together with bibliography and index.

“A model scenario and an excellent bibliography make the book a complete manual for all persons interested in photoplay writing.”

+

N Y Evening Post p16 N 13 ’20 160w

N Y Times p25 N 7 ’20 90w

PATTERSON, JOHN EDWARD. Passage of the barque Sappho. *$2.50 Dutton

20–11150

“‘The passage of the barque Sappho’ portrays in minute detail the voyage of a sailing vessel from San Francisco around Cape Horn, homeward bound, to a British port. The author, J. E. Patterson, died before the book was published, and it was prepared for the press by his friend, C. E. Lawrence, who contributes a foreword. The narrative purports to be the work of two individuals, and is told in the first person. The joint contributions come from the two extremes of sea society—the cabin and the fo’castle. One is an officer and the other an ordinary seaman. When events are witnessed by both, it is from different points of view. The officer and sailor write alternately, and describe in detail all that went on above deck and in the forecastle during the long voyage. The story ends with shipwreck in the Sargasso sea.”—Springf’d Republican

Ath p930 S 19 ’19 80w

“The style of the story, in so far as it may be detached from its substance, is (but for certain passages of description) homely enough, lacking in the ordinary ‘literary’ graces; but this in the end appears to be a part of virtue. Beside Conrad and Bullen my copy shall take its place with confidence.” H. W. Boynton

+

Bookm 51:79 Mr ’20 700w

“The book has a historical as well as a literary value. Mr Patterson proves by this posthumous novel his understanding of character as well as his ability to write an impressive description. Each officer and man of the Sappho is a distinct individual possessed of his own little traits and peculiarities—traits and peculiarities which the author’s leisurely method enables him fully to illustrate.”

+

N Y Times 24:767 D 21 ’19 650w

“Quite at variance with the usual nautical romance, the chronicle is free from intrigues and brutality. The book is rather long (and expensive) and is likely to prove a bit tiring to all save those interested in the subject of seafaring.”

+ −

Springf’d Republican p11a Mr 28 ’20 420w

+ −

The Times [London] Lit Sup p498 S 18 ’19 380w

PAUL, EDEN, and PAUL, CEDAR. Creative revolution. *$2 (*8s 6d) (4c) Seltzer 335

The authors subtitle their book “A study of communist ergatocracy,” using the newly coined word “ergatocracy” to signify workers’ rule. In the opening chapter they say, “This little volume has a twofold aim, theoretical and practical. In the theoretical field, we wish to effect an analysis of socialist trends and to attempt a synthesis of contemporary proletarian aims. In the sphere of practice we hope to intensify and to liberate the impulse towards a fresh creative effort.” Contents: Communist ergatocracy; Socialism through social solidarity; Socialism through the class struggle; The shop stewards’ movement; Historical significance of the great war; The Russian revolution; The third international; The dictatorship of the proletariat; The iron law of oligarchy; Socialism through parliament or soviet? Creative revolution; Freedom; Bibliography.

“Do the gifted authors realize that the atmosphere of a Marxian library varied by stimulating conversations with trade union leaders, is not the same as the atmosphere of a bloody revolution? Do they clearly realize the difference? Do they, in fact, know what they are talking about?”

−

Ath p145 Jl 30 ’20 290w

Reviewed by A. C. Freeman

N Y Call p11 Ja 16 ’21 1400w

The Times [London] Lit Sup p386 Je 17 ’20 150w

−

The Times [London] Lit Sup p413 Jl 1 ’20 1350w

“After so much has been written, camouflaged and in equivocal language, it is a pleasure to find a book so clear-cut, so incisive and so direct in its wording and in its thought. I still believe as firmly as ever that the principles of pacifism represent the most workable social philosophy. I am therefore at total variance with the authors in their interpretation of the lessons which the Russian revolution has taught. At the same time, I am glad to welcome their contribution because of the splendid effect which it will have in clarifying issues that have puzzled and baffled so many earnest souls during the past few months.” Scott Nearing

+ −

World Tomorrow 4:60 F ’21 420w

PAYNE, FANNY URSULA. Plays and pageants of citizenship. il *$1.50 Harper 792.6

20–18670

A new book of plays by the author of “Plays and pageants of democracy,” and “Plays for anychild.” Contents: Dekanawida; The triumph of democracy; The spirit of New England; The soap-box orator; The victory of the good citizen; Old Tight-wad and the victory dwarf; Rich citizens; Humane citizens.

Lit D p99 D 4 ’20 60w

PAYNE, GEORGE HENRY. History of journalism in the United States. *$2.50 (2c) Appleton 071

20–10538

A short history of American journalism from the first newspaper to the present day, written by a man of wide newspaper experience. Among the early chapters are: Historic preparation for journalism; The first newspaper in America; The first journals and their editors; Philadelphia and the Bradfords; Printing in New York—the Zenger trial; Rise of the fourth estate; The assumption of political power; The “Boston Gazette” and Samuel Adams; Journalism and the Revolution; Adams and the alien and sedition laws. Other chapters cover the newspapers of the west, suffrage and slavery and the Civil war. Special chapters are also devoted to such great dailies as the Sun, the Herald and the Tribune. There are closing chapters on Editors of the new school; After-war problems and reform and The melodrama in the news. Interesting documents and statistics are given in appendices. There is a valuable bibliography of twenty-nine pages, followed by an index.

“The story is compact, but it moves to a lively tune, and is widely allusive. The personal human interest is widely kept in the foreground, and Mr Payne reveals a keen perception of the dramatic values of his subject.” C: H. Levermore

+ −

Am Hist R 26:107 O ’20 850w

“Will be useful to students of journalism, but it will have an interest of its own to the general reader as it traces the growth of journalism with the development of democracy.”

+

Booklist 17:47 N ’20

Reviewed by H: L. West

Bookm 52:116 O ’20 950w

“A swiftly written and vigorously phrased volume.” D. C. Seitz

+

Freeman 2:452 Ja 19 ’21 600w

“It is hard to tell which impresses one most in reading this book—the author’s sincerity or his thoroughness. The book is very valuable and intensely interesting.” C. W. T.

+

N Y Times 25:6 Jl 11 ’20 3150w

+

Outlook 125:507 Jl 14 ’20 80w

“He has done a creditable piece of work, amassed adequate material, used it with discrimination and an excellent sense of selection, has not forgotten that he had a ‘story’ to tell, and that one of the prime requisites of a story is that it shall be interesting.” E. G. L.

+

Review 3:232 S 15 ’20 750w

“Mr Payne’s history of American newspaper publication is well written and well proportioned. He has made the story interesting from beginning to end.”

+

R of Rs 62:222 Ag ’20 220w

“Mr Payne’s treatment of the press in the years before the Civil war is much the more satisfactory because, while involving little original research, it deals out information suggestively. The last part of the book is intelligent in general outlines, but is a brief and inadequate summary and seems less frank in comment. The appendices are somewhat haphazard.”

+ −

Springf’d Republican p11a S 5 ’20 1100w

Wis Lib Bul 16:232 D ’20 90w

PEABODY, ROBERT SWAIN, and PEABODY, FRANCIS GREENWOOD.^[2] New England romance; the story of Ephraim and Mary Jane Peabody, 1807–1892. il *$2 Houghton

20–19929

“Aside from the interest it has of a faithful account by his sons of one of America’s earliest and most distinguished preachers, it possesses value as revealing the life and manner of a period. No conscious attempt has been made to do this, however, and whatever of history the reader may get comes to him as from between the lines and is therefore the more subtly impressed. The early eighties, prior to the Civil war, are revealed through the lives, ambitions, and struggles of the minister and his wife.”—N Y Evening Post

“A quaint book for lovers of New England.”

+

Booklist 17:113 D ’20

“Because of its very evident qualities of naturalness and sincerity this little volume should escape the limbo which awaits the major part of commemorative literature and be preserved among those works classed as human documents.”

+

N Y Evening Post p8 N 6 ’20 160w

“Told with a simple and natural beauty of language fitting for such a theme. Incidentally it gives a graphic picture of revolutionary and pre-revolutionary days.”

+

Outlook 126:690 D 15 ’20 50w

+

Survey 45:329 N 27 ’20 180w

PEAKE, C. M. A. Eli of the downs. *$2 (2c) Doran

20–18768

The narrator of the story found Eli as an old man in his cottage, Beulah, on the downs, where he spends his last days carving fiddles, and surrounded by the few treasures he had garnered from his wanderings over the earth. He had always been a rare character, this shepherd, with a rich inner life. Early in life he had married a mate worthy of him, but it was a short happiness, and then the young widower took to wandering. For some eight years he followed the sea and saw many lands. Then it was surveying and ranching in Canada where an old Chinese cook instructed him in the wisdom of Confucius and Lao Tsu, but with failing health he turned his steps once more to England. At Beulah cottage, lonely to the last, but emanating a silent influence for good over the neighborhood, he ended his days in peace.

“The author cannot leave his characters to speak their mind, he must speak it for them, and even reinforce their statements with a kind of running commentary and explanatory notes which are very tiring to keep up with.” K. M.

−

Ath p211 F 13 ’20 280w

Cleveland p105 D ’20 60w

“It is, on the whole, well written, and while not a particularly engrossing volume, neither is it a dull one.”

+

N Y Times p27 S 12 ’20 170w

“Apart from its idea, or animus, this is a narrative of sincere and fresh quality, varied in substance and by no means artless, though it agreeably lacks the art of the professional story-teller.” H. W. Boynton

+

Review 3:349 O 20 ’20 300w

“‘Eli of the downs’ is more than a work of promise: Mr Peake tells the life-history of one who was ‘a shepherd at heart as well as by profession’ with a wealth of illuminating detail, with a love of his subject and an intimate knowledge of Wessex country life that combine to make the story memorable and delightful.”

+

Spec 124:314 Mr 6 ’20 430w

+

The Times [London] Lit Sup p301 My 13 ’20 460w

PEARCE, FRANCIS BARROW. Zanzibar; the island metropolis of eastern Africa. il *$12 Dutton 967

(Eng ed 20–8651)

“A very substantial work by the British resident in Zanzibar, embracing the history, politics, anthropology, resources, and archæology of the island.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup

+

Ath p431 Mr 26 ’20 60w

“For a leisurely pursuit of odds and ends of knowledge, or for the scholar, geographer, historian, or student of Arab dominion I recommend his volume. No thrills, few laughs, but the book marches on in a pleasant and profitable path of facts and comment.” F: O’Brien

+

N Y Times 25:4 Jl 18 ’20 1200w

+

Spec 125:311 S 4 ’20 250w

The Times [London] Lit Sup p159 Mr 4 ’20 30w

“He has taken immense pains in the compilation of his book, he has ransacked the chronicles, consulted the retailers of legends, referred to modern authorities and drawn upon his own experiences to produce a well-constructed and agreeably written compendium of all that there is to be told of Zanzibar.”

+

The Times [London] Lit Sup p165 Mr 11 ’20 1050w

PEARL, BERTHA. Sarah and her daughter. $2.25 (1½c) Seltzer

20–11892

The scene of the story opens on Henry street in the Ghetto and portrays the American Jew in every nuance of his racial peculiarities. The abject poverty and suffering, the breaking under suffering, the resiliency, the ethical slips in the fierce struggle for existence, the hysteria and nervous breakdowns, the seriousness and absence of a sense of humor and the fundamental goodness of heart that always has the last word to say, are all there and every type finds its place down to the tragic figure of the orthodox survivor of a dead religion. In Sarah and her daughter Minnie, the immigrant Jew and the first generation, with the resulting sad conflicts between parent and child, are represented.

“Not a pleasant story, but worth while as a sincere interpretation of a type of life which the author understands intimately.”

+

Booklist 17:159 Ja ’21

“As a story it is very little more than a string of episodes reported with pitiless minuteness. If ruthless and harrowing verisimilitude is of service to you, accept it in this book. Why the publishers should assert that it is a new thing, is not clear.” H. W. Boynton

−

Bookm 52:69 S ’20 880w

“There is real emotional power in the author’s handling of her calamitous theme. She seems to lose subtlety at times because of her very sincerity; the book is in spots too wooden in its realism, and there is some careless workmanship. But the characterization is acute.” F. E. H.

+ −

Freeman 1:407 Jl 7 ’20 300w

“There is no relief, even in the scenes between the young children, and we wonder if the story is not too photographically realistic, missing some worth or beauty under the bald surface.” L. W. M.

+ −

Grinnell R 15:259 O ’20 420w

“A rather amorphous but by no means talentless book. Miss Pearl has a very keen and clear eye for the physical conditions of her people’s lives—both in the Ghetto and beyond it—and a genuine gift, despite her blunt and sprawling style, for rendering the atmosphere of bleak and homeless places. There is no reason why Miss Pearl should not do admirable work as she grows in self-discipline of both style and feeling, and acquires a cooler spirit and a more tempered surface.”

+ −

Nation 110:730 My 29 ’20 320w

“It does more than present a partially new viewpoint of matters with which we are familiar, it brings a new range of material within our understanding. Here is an American book with a straightforward story, in the main well told and without sentimentalism.” R. V. A. S.

+

New Repub 23:343 Ag 18 ’20 520w

“Her descriptions are so true that one can’t help but feel that the story is equally as true.” Rose Karsner

+

N Y Call p10 My 30 ’20 500w

“It is a work that is noteworthy in American literature, suggesting Dickens and De Morgan modernized and Americanized.”

+

N Y Times 25:253 My 16 ’20 550w

“To the American reader who has previously known little or nothing about that life, it is like the brilliant illumination from the inside of a dark room.”

+

N Y Times p10 Ja 16 ’21 80w

“Whatever criticism may be offered lies in the possibility that even tenement existence is not always as barren of sunshine and joys of life as the author would have us believe. But that is not sufficiently outstanding to detract from the authentic interest of the story.”

+ −

Springf’d Republican p11a Jl 25 ’20 360w

PEARL, RAYMOND.^[2] Nation’s food. il *$3.50 Saunders 338

20–4023

“Mr Pearl was chief of the statistical division of the Food administration, and as such presents ‘unbiased statistical data rather than my own opinion as to their interpretation.’ The book is made up for the greater part of clear classifications and tables.”—Survey

+

Booklist 17:95 D ’20

“With his usual thoroughness and breadth of view he has included in his inquiry so many ramifications that his investigation covers Europe also. It thus possesses extraordinary interest at the present time.” E. J. Russell

+

Nature 106:305 N 4 ’20 850w

“As a source book, this volume is warmly recommended.” B. L.

+

Survey 44:309 My 29 ’20 500w

PEARSON, EDMUND LESTER. Theodore Roosevelt. il *$1.75 (5c) Macmillan

20–16084

The book is one of the series of “True stories of great Americans,” and is a brief biography intended to catch the interest of boys. Contents: The boy who collected animals; In college; In politics; “Ranch life and the hunting trail”; Two defeats; Fighting office-seekers; Police commissioner; The rough rider; Governor of New York; President of the United States; The lion hunter; Europe and America; The bull moose; The explorer; The man; The great American; Illustrations.

Booklist 17:124 D ’20

“He has been unwise in trying to explain Roosevelt’s war-policies to the detriment of President Wilson, and to laud the efficiency of one party over another—especially in his capacity as writer for children who want the essential action of the man—Roosevelt—without the political struggles in which he was involved.”

+ −

Lit D p90 D 4 ’20 150w

“One of the best short summaries of Roosevelt’s career that have yet appeared. The author’s treatment of the intimate, personal phases of his subject is especially felicitous.”

+

N Y Evening Post p8 S 25 ’20 150w

“He has made excellent use of the new material about Mr Roosevelt which has been available since his death, and has brought out with skill and judgment the simplicity and singleness of Mr Roosevelt’s Americanism.”

+

Outlook 126:202 S 29 ’20 120w

“Mr Pearson has perhaps had more than ordinary success in confining his story to the essential features, keeping a good sense of proportion and never letting go the central thread of the narrative. His book is workmanlike as well as entertaining.”

+

R of Rs 62:447 O ’20 100w

“One cannot help feeling that the appeal would be stronger if the work were more graphic and less controversial and the author had seen fit to eliminate his attacks on the opponents of Roosevelt.”

− +

Springf’d Republican p9a O 17 ’20 200w

The Times [London] Lit Sup p800 D 2 ’20 20w

+

Wis Lib Bul 16:237 D ’20 40w

PECK, LORA B. Stories for good children. il *$1.50 Little

20–18926

These fairy and folk tales are collected from all countries. Some of them are very ancient, being traced back to the home of the Aryan race and all are so simple in their make-up and telling that they are offered as an aid to reading. The countries represented in the choice are: Ireland, Scotland, England, India, China, Japan, Mexico, Persia, Russia.

PEDLER, MARGARET. House of dreams-come-true. *$1.75 (1½c) Doran

19–17179

Jean, though English, has never seen England until she is twenty. Then her father, a prey to wanderlust, packs her off to some friends of his, while he goes roaming the world. Just before she goes to England, Jean has one magical day with an anonymous young Englishman, and to her surprise and his apparent dismay when she arrives at Lady Anne’s home where she is to stay she finds the elder son of the house to be her unknown companion of Montavan. The magic still holds for both of them, but there are many barriers between them and many bitter hours before they finally enter their “house of dreams-come-true,” a house “not built of stones and mortar, but just—where love is.”

“Not ‘deep’ but entertaining.”

+

Booklist 17:35 O ’20

+

Boston Transcript p6 Jl 24 ’20 190w

“A fairly consistent and always readable book of fiction. The book, as a whole, is one that will give excellent entertainment, although it is impossible to assign it any important place in the contemporary output of fiction.”

+

N Y Times p24 Ag 1 ’20 430w

+

Springf’d Republican p11a S 5 ’20 130w

“A thoroughly readable story, though inclining somewhat to the sentimental.”

+

The Times [London] Lit Sup p717 D 4 ’19 140w

PEEL, GEORGIANA ADELAIDE (RUSSELL), lady. Recollections; comp. by Ethel Peel. il *$5 Lane

20–12214

Lady Georgiana Peel, whose recollections are compiled in the present volume by her daughter, is the daughter of Sir John Russell and her recollections cover the period from the early forties to the present time. She was intimately acquainted with all the eminent people in Queen Victoria’s reign of whom she has recorded pleasant memories with many historical events of importance. The book is illustrated and has an index.

Reviewed by B. R. Redman

+

N Y Times p4 S 5 ’20 2800w

“It is mainly a picture of the most attractive side of English social life. It gives to the American reader a much more intimate acquaintance with that life than he could possibly attain by any introductions.”

+

Outlook 125:615 Ag 4 ’20 180w

“It is a kindly book, written by a gracious lady, giving a picture of an age that has passed away.”

+

Sat R 129:333 Ap 3 ’20 1050w

“Lady Georgiana Peel’s engaging book of recollections ought to attract readers of many and varied tastes. The book is attractive in its frank simplicity.”

+

Spec 124:389 Mr 20 ’20 1200w

+

The Times [London] Lit Sup p102 F 12 ’20 1350w

PENDEXTER, HUGH. Red belts. il *$1.50 (1½c) Doubleday

20–2261

The time in which the story is placed is 1784, when the quondam colonies had not yet acquired the consciousness of a consolidated group of states. The scene is west of the Alleghanies in what was to be the state of Tennessee but where, at the time of the story, the white settlers were still fighting for their existence against the surrounding Indians aided by renegade white plotters in the interests of Spain. It is a tale of love and adventure in which the hero John Sevier, “Chucky Jack,” a pioneer of Americanism performs gallant deeds of heroism and daring and not only saves his state for the Union but lovely Elsie Tonpit from brutal outlaws and for her lover Kirk Jackson, another true American.

“A stirring pioneer tale.”

+

Booklist 16:283 My ’20

“Taken on the whole, ‘Red belts’ is a good example of the real adventure story, with enough patriotic suggestion to render it of wholesome appeal.”

+

N Y Times 25:4 Mr 7 ’20 600w

PENNELL, ELIZABETH (ROBINS) (MRS JOSEPH PENNELL) (N. N., pseud.), and PENNELL, JOSEPH. Life of James McNeill Whistler. new and rev ed il *$6.50 Lippincott

“This is the revised sixth edition of the authorized biography of Whistler. Since the original publication in two volumes in 1908 the authors have been collecting and verifying documents, and have received numerous suggestions and statements of facts. The new edition, therefore, contains new materials in the text as well as new illustrations, which include more than one hundred reproductions of the artist’s works.”—R of Rs

+

Boston Transcript p7 Jl 21 ’20 640w

“The book, because of the treatment no less than because of the subject, is vastly entertaining.”

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Dial 69:322 S ’20 60w

Outlook 125:715 Ag 25 ’20 50w

R of Rs 62:334 S ’20 100w

PEPPER, CHARLES MELVILLE. Life and times of Henry Gassaway Davis, 1823–1916. il *$4 (4½c) Century

20–4454

The life of “the grand old man” of West Virginia is marked by two phases, says the biographer: “the romance of railway building, the development of natural resources, the creation of industrial communities” is the one, “public service, political leadership, citizenship in its highest sense,” the other. His many-sided character and activities were unusual. He was intensely practical and was also a man of vision. A partial list of the contents follows: Ancestry and youth; Pioneer railway days; International American conferences; The Pan-American railway; Vice-presidential nomination and after; Benefactions and philanthropies; Famous contemporaries; Personal characteristics. There is an index and illustrations.

PERCIVAL, MACIVER. Glass collector; a guide to old English glass. (Collector’s ser.) il *$2.50 (4c) Dodd 738.2

A20–905

“The collector who has been in my mind when writing this book has not very much money to spare, and none to waste. He wants to get full value when he makes a purchase, and if a bargain comes his way so much the better.” (Preface) To guide such a collector to know which to choose and how to distinguish the old from the new, the real from the sham is the object of the book. After an introductory chapter on drinking glasses in England to the end of the seventeenth century and seven chapters on the various kinds of wine glasses the contents are: Cut glass; Engraved glasses; Curios; Bottles, decanters, flasks and jugs; Opaque and coloured glass; Frauds, fakes and foreigners; Foreign glass; Manufacturing and decorative processes; Prices; Bibliography; Glossary; Index.

“Will be helpful to the amateur since it is very well illustrated and contains hints on the detection of imitations.”

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Booklist 16:335 Jl ’20

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Spec 122:17 Ja 4 ’19 60w

PERCIVAL, MACIVER. Old English furniture and its surroundings. il *$7.50 Scribner 749

“The period Mr Percival covers in this work is from the restoration of the monarchy to the regency. This period he has divided into four sections: The restoration; The end of the 17th century and the early 18th; Early Georgian; Late Georgian. To each section he has given five chapters: Fittings and ornament decorations; Furniture; Upholstery, wall and floor coverings; Table appointments; Decorative adjuncts.”—Springf’d Republican

Int Studio 72:164 D ’20 100w

“Mr Percival writes with unusual good sense. Moreover, he is firmly though not pedantically for unmixed style and speaks with authority. For the trained decorator, however, the book contains little that is actually new or in any way suggestive.”

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N Y Evening Post p12 N 27 ’20 150w

“If one can judge at all from some of the imposing Fifth avenue shops, people do enjoy living in period-houses, fitting up rooms in period-furniture, buying all manner of things antique. For these impassioned collectors, at least, Mr Percival’s book is unequivocally useful, being clearly written and having much practical information.”

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Springf’d Republican p8 D 9 ’20 330w

PERCY, EUSTACE SUTHERLAND CAMPBELL, lord. Responsibilities of the league. *$2 Doran 341.1

(Eng ed 20–5415)

“This is a book written in the interest of civilization. It is true that there have been civilizations, not altogether contemptible, without Christianity; and it is arguable that there may be civilizations hereafter not based on state sovereignty. But the author’s point is both true and indisputable that the revolution which threatens both of these institutions may drag all civilization with it unless a high intelligence commands and canalizes its forces. Lord Eustace considers the league of nations as the potential champion of the idea of the state and commonwealth, the possible medium by which we may come to the spirit of a united Christendom. That, no doubt, is his ideal: to set it off he offers a penetrating analysis of the past and makes the profound observation that the treaty of Versailles, which he does not defend, is the almost complete result of the two forces of nationalism and democracy.”—Dial

“I do not understand all of it nor agree with all I understand, but I am fain to mark its superior importance.” Sganarelle

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Dial 68:799 Je ’20 1150w

“His book will provoke much dissent, but it has the supreme merit of making its readers think on the great problems that face the world.”

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Spec 124:16 Ja 3 ’20 1400w

“The book fairly bristles with provocative suggestions. The treatment of the basis and mainsprings of American foreign policy makes an American gasp with envy at their insight and sympathy.”

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Springf’d Republican p5 Mr 29 ’20 800w

“A solution must answer the conditions of the problem proposed, and one has the feeling that Lord Eustace’s criticisms of recent policy do not always take account of that fact. But that is a matter of controversy. What is not a matter of controversy is the quality of Lord Eustace Percy’s book—its breadth of outlook, its richness of information, its penetrating candour, its analytic power, and, above all, its depth of conviction.”

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The Times [London] Lit Sup p780 D 25 ’19 650w

PERCY, WILLIAM ALEXANDER. In April once. *$1.50 Yale univ. press 811

20–15483

“Mr Percy’s book consists of a poetic drama in one act, about half a hundred lyrics, and a longish philosophical monologue entitled ‘An epistle from Corinth.’ The drama—‘In April once’—is a study of a renaissance youth, Guido, who sacrifices his life out of impetuous generosity that a leper and a jailer (though a very knightly jailer) might tempt death.”—Bookm

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Booklist 17:63 N ’20

“In his lyrics, Mr Percy tastes in some degree of the divine madness of Keats. Rare indeed is Mr Percy’s pure lyric gift: limpidity and strength of emotion and adequacy of art.” R. M. Weaver

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Bookm 52:65 S ’20 400w

“He is by no means distinguished, and he is somewhat too fond of his literary good manners, but he has done some shapely, thoroughbred exercises in elegy and exultation.”

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Nation 112:86 Ja 19 ’21 80w

“His work proves imitative in many ways.”

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N Y Times p16 N 7 ’20 50w

“Finer than his ‘Sappho in Levkas,’ with all its promise, is ‘In April once.’ This volume has all the charm and freshness of the earlier book, with a deeper and more appealing view of the world.” E: B. Reed

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Yale R n s 10:204 O ’20 150w

PÉREZ DE AYALA, RAMÓN. Prometheus: The fall of the house of Limón; Sunday sunlight. *$3 Dutton

20–12561

“Under the threefold title, ‘Prometheus: The fall of the house of Limón; Sunday sunlight,’ the E. P. Dutton company publishes three novelettes of Spanish life by Ramón Pérez de Ayala, which Alice P. Hubbard has turned into English. ‘Prometheus,’ a modern tale which parallels or parodies a Greek legend, deals sunnily with a man who, seeking for perfect offspring, becomes the father of an oaf and hunchback. ‘Limón’ is a murder tale. ‘Sunday sunlight’ is a tale of ravishers which recites horrors which recall and surpass ‘Titus Andronicus.’”—Review

“Those who enjoy artistry, intelligence and pages overflowing with the evidence of original and unique talent will welcome the book and will read it more than once.”

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N Y Times 25:15 Jl 18 ’20 830w

“Señor de Ayala is all sprightliness and glow. He has a draughtsman eye, a colorist eye, an eye reminiscent of Gautier, and he scatters brilliancies with the prodigality of a man for whom splendor is the only warmth.”

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Review 3:351 O 20 ’20 220w

PERKINS, LUCY (FITCH) (MRS DWIGHT HEALD PERKINS). Italian twins. il *$1.75 Houghton

20–15958

The Italian twins are Beppo and Beppina, who live in an old palace on the banks of the Arno. They are kidnapped by two vagabonds with a monkey and a performing bear and are made to sing and dance and entertain the country people and villagers. They are taken to Venice but finally make their escape and after more wandering adventures reach their home safely.

“Beautiful makeup and sketches.”

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Booklist 17:78 N ’20

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Lit D p94 D 4 ’20 160w

“One is always sorry when Mrs Perkins fails to reach her own high mark. But this incredible tale of the kidnapping of two little aristocrats shows no side of real Italian life.” M. H. B. Mussey

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Nation 111:sup672 D 8 ’20 110w

“‘The Italian twins’ is a wholesome stimulating book for children between eight and thirteen to read and own.” E. R. Burt

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Pub W 98:1201 O 16 ’20 300w

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Springf’d Republican p8 N 18 ’20 200w

PERKINS, LUCY (FITCH) (MRS DWIGHT HEALD PERKINS). Scotch twins. il *$1.50 Houghton

19–18221

Jock and Jean are the hero and heroine of this story, with its scenes laid in Scotland. The pictures as in other books of the series are from drawings by the author.

“A good picture of national life and customs with a rather more dramatic plot than that of former volumes of the series.”

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Booklist 16:176 F ’20

Boston Transcript p9 D 20 ’19 300w

“Jock and Jean have, perhaps, the most exciting and amusing adventures of any of the twins, but, as a small boy critic said, ‘They have an absent-minded way of using occasional Scottish words and then relapsing into plain American talk.’”

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Nation 109:780 D 13 ’19 140w

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Outlook 124:29 Ja 7 ’20 40w

“‘The Scotch twins,’ Jock, the sleepy-head, and Jean, the canny little polisher and scrubber, are just as lovable as any of their predecessors. There is a nice little surprise, too, in the last chapter.”

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Pub W 97:606 F 21 ’20 120w

“Anyone who has never before understood the claims of a clan will find this and other peculiarities of Scotch life thoroughly explained.”

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Springf’d Republican p12 D 19 ’19 100w

PERRY, ALLEN MASON, comp. Electrical aids to greater production. il *$2 McGraw 621.3

19–10529

“Based upon a series of articles in the Electrical World, of which the author is engineering editor. The best of practice, as developed by the war, is presented as a practical handbook, rather than as a text-book, full of suggestions for the installation, operation, and maintenance, as well as the problems of layout and control. The eight chapters cover: General power problems of industrial plants; Distribution, transformation, switching and protection; Motors, control, specific applications, troubles and remedies; Illumination, selection of equipment, economies, and specific applications; Electric furnaces, welding, etc.; Meters and measurements as applied to industries; Handling material in industrial plants with electric tractors; Outdoor substations.”—N Y P L New Tech Bks

Booklist 16:159 F ’20

N Y P L New Tech Bks p47 Jl ’19 120w

Pratt p20 Ja ’20 30w

PERRY, BLISS. Study of poetry. *$3.25 Houghton 808.1

20–9853

In attempting “to set forth in decent prose some of the strange potencies of verse” the author has given but little space to the epic and drama and has devoted himself more especially to the various forms of the lyric, which to him seems to hold the future of poetry. “The folk-epic is gone, the art-epic has been outstripped by prose fiction, and the drama needs a theatre. But the lyric needs only a poet, who can compose in any of its myriad forms.... Through it today, as never before in the history of civilization, the heart of a man can reach the heart of mankind.” Accordingly the book falls into two parts. Part I, Poetry in general, treats of poetry in retrospect, of the province of poetry and the poet, of rhythm and metre, rhyme, stanza and free verse. Part II, The lyric in particular, contains: The field of lyric poetry; Relationships and types of the lyric; Race, epoch and individual; The present status of the lyric. There are also Notes and illustrations, an appendix, a bibliography and an index.

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Booklist 17:106 D ’20

“While it has a genuine interest for the creator and critical interpreter of poetry, its specific value is for that very large body of readers who are between these two groups.” W: S. Braithwaite

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Boston Transcript p6 O 30 ’20 2100w

“The book is avowedly written with the classroom’s needs in view, as well as those of the inquiring general reader, and the former aim to some extent vitiates the author’s treatment by imposing too eclectic an ideal upon him. The book is a résumé of poetics rather than a personal confession.” Llewellyn Jones

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Freeman 2:235 N 17 ’20 1500w

“No critic since Matthew Arnold seems to us to have so positively as Mr Perry the capacity to make us see more clearly and think more accurately and sensibly about poetry and at the same time make the seeing and the thinking increase our enthusiasm for the vital things.” C. F. L.

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Grinnell R 16:308 D ’20 640w

“In the long run his book is not simple enough. He will be useful to a certain kind of teacher; but he will move few students and he will enkindle no poets.” Mark Van Doren

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Nation 112:sup241 F 9 ’21 120w

“The fault of the book is that it contains too many long quotations from other critics. But this very fault, in the present instance, makes the book a presentation of the best modern critical thought on the lyric. He will be a bold man who attempts to cover Professor Perry’s field for many years to come.” C. E. Andrews

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N Y Evening Post p5 O 23 ’20 1100w

“Professor Perry’s volume is suggestive and stimulating. It will be useful to the classroom teacher, to the solitary student and to the average reader, who will gain from it knowledge certain to increase his enjoyment of verse.” Brander Matthews

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N Y Times p6 S 12 ’20 2000w

“He gives an unusually clear analysis, supported by rich and apt quotation, of the effects of poetry upon the reader. The value of his essay lies in its vivid ability to provide us with those moments of lucid understanding in which poetic experience is restored to us.” L. R. Morris

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Outlook 126:377 O 27 ’20 400w

“He is first of all a collector, secondly, an assayer, thirdly, and a little less willingly, an arbiter, and, only incidentally and reluctantly, a reasoner or controversialist.” O. W. Firkins

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Review 3:501 N 24 ’20 2000w

PERRY, LAWRENCE. For the game’s sake. (Fair play ser.) il *$1.65 Scribner

20–15706

“Half a dozen tales, each having to do with some special form of athletics, make up Mr Lawrence Perry’s little volume entitled ‘For the game’s sake.’ The first tells of a football ‘star’ who, being also ‘The spoiled boy,’ broke training and misbehaved himself until the coach found it necessary to put him off the team. But there was a sensible and eloquent girl in the case, who brought the culprit to book in a manner which convinced him of the error of his ways. Another tale has to do with an international tennis tournament. Baseball of course is not neglected. Each of the tales presupposes a fairly close acquaintance on the reader’s part with that particular game with which it has to do.”—N Y Times

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N Y Times p27 S 26 ’20 230w

“The book stands for clean playing in every sport. Each story works up thrillingly to a dramatic climax where victory comes by the narrowest of margins.”

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Springf’d Republican p9a O 31 ’20 200w

PERRY, STELLA GEORGE (STERN) (MRS GEORGE HOUGH PERRY). Palmetto. *$1.90 (1c) Stokes

20–15507

Palmetto, as a child of thirteen, runs away from the only parents she has ever known, but whom she instinctively feels are only foster parents. She finds a refuge in New Orleans with a kindly fisherman who adopts her and brings her up as his own daughter. Associated with him is David Cantrelle, a lad of good birth whose family is genuinely shocked at his choice of occupation. He loves Palmetto from the first, and when her heart awakens and responds to his, they become engaged. But his family objects to the match, on account of the mystery of her birth and she determines to show them she is worth while. So she goes to New York where she makes a conspicuous success as an actress. One of her southern admirers follows her there, makes ardent love to her and almost succeeds in replacing David in her heart. But she learns in time that her love for David is deeper than any Hartley can command. The mystery of her birth is eventually cleared up and she finds she has as good blood in her veins as either David or Hartley.

“The greatest defect in this romance of the bayou region of Louisiana is that it is somewhat overlong. Individual sentences and paragraphs are frequently overgrown with too rank a growth of adjectives.”

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N Y Times p20 D 5 ’20 500w

PETERSON, SAMUEL. Democracy and government. *$2 Knopf 321.8

20–104

According to the author’s initial assumption that “a government carries into effect ideas,” the book naturally falls into two parts: What persons should have the legal right to determine finally the ideas to be carried into effect; and in what manner the ideas to be carried into effect should be selected, and how they should be carried into effect. Accordingly part 1, The ruling power of the state, discusses the difference between autocracy, oligarchy and democracy as one of conditions rather than of law, and defines a democratic government as a government of the intelligent members of the ruling race. Part 2, The organization of the government, is an inquiry into how the ideas to be carried into effect may be selected as reliably and carried into effect as certainly and efficiently as possible. The contents under part 2 are: Governmental functions; Legislative organization; Administrative organization; Judicial organization; Direct legislation. There is an index.

Booklist 16:331 Jl ’20

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N Y P L Munic Ref Lib Notes 7:39 O 20 ’20 60w

Outlook 126:558 N 24 ’20 180w

R of Rs 61:560 My ’20 50w

R of Rs 62:672 D ’20 30w

“A book which, while blazing no new paths, is well designed to assist the reader in forming a reasonably critical view of the state is Samuel Peterson’s ‘Democracy and government’ which treats fundamental political theories with knowledge of their historical importance, yet with hard-headed sociological insight. The author is always frank, and, while he has pronounced views of his own, he cannot be called a doctrinaire.”

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Springf’d Republican p8 Ap 13 ’20 400w

“His criticisms of the present governmental machinery are generally just, but the remedies suggested might prove to be worse than the disease. The book shows hard work and earnestness throughout, however, and should prove a valuable contribution to the literature on the subject.” A. G. Dehly

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Survey 44:307 My 29 ’20 200w

PETRUCCI, RAPHAËL. Chinese painters; a critical study; tr. by Frances Seaver; with a biographical note by Lawrence Binyon. il *$2 Brentano’s 759.9

20–7443

“The book comprises a comprehensive and yet compact study of painting in China. His survey takes us back to the dim ages long before the appearance of Buddhism in China, and then brings the reader to the present time.” (Outlook) “It explains briefly the principles of technique and then, as it sketches the historical evolution of painting, reveals its dominating philosophical idea, the search for abstract form. The author was an authority on oriental art. There are numerous pleasing reproductions, bibliography, index of painters and periods.” (Booklist)

“Concise and illuminating volume.”

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Booklist 16:336 Jl ’20

“Happily the author writes for the general reader and the lover of art rather than for the elect; his treatment of a large theme shows the advantage of one who has a gift for luminous condensation.”

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Outlook 125:541 Jl 21 ’20 170w

“For the uninitiated in these matters, ‘Chinese painters’ is a necessary education. For him who understands already the beauty of the masters of China, the book is valuable.”

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Springf’d Republican p6 Ag 26 ’20 280w

PETTIGREW, RICHARD FRANKLIN. Course of empire; introd. by Scott Nearing. il *$4.50 Boni & Liveright 815

20–12790

“The author of this volume held a seat in the United States senate during the ’90s of the last century. He was active in the senate at a turning point in the career of the nation, a period when the frontier was disappearing, when the great oligarchies of capital were organizing, and when the United States became a colonial power. In short, his public career is identical with the origin of imperialism in the United States. The book consists of a compilation of the speeches of ex-Senator Pettigrew in the senate on these imperialist policies as they were forming. They fall into three groups—those dealing with the annexation of the Hawaiian islands; those dealing with the conquest of the Philippines; and those dealing with the antagonism of the West to the banking and trust groups of the East. Accompanying the addresses which reveal a wide variety of information on the part of the author, are many documents of much historical value to the reader.”—N Y Call

“These speeches, both concerning Hawaiian affairs and those in the Philippines, are useful as a matter of record; they will be very valuable to the future historian, who desires to understand the obstacles encountered by the nation in its movement toward an expanded civilization and world power.” E. J. C.

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Boston Transcript p6 O 13 ’20 660w

“The addresses show that the author during his public career had that capacity which is so rare in the men of a later generation who have served in Congress. His mind was always open, and he advanced with the progress of his time.” James Oneal

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N Y Call p10 N 21 ’20 940w

“Although the book comprises a vivid study of the development of imperial policy in the United States it might better have been compressed into half the size for the benefit of the general reader. There are too many and too liberal quotations from Mr Pettigrew’s own speeches.”

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Springf’d Republican p6 D 27 ’20 570w

PHELPS, EDITH M., comp. Selected articles on the American merchant marine. (Debaters’ handbook ser.) *$1.50 Wilson, H. W. 387

20–4721

To this second edition of a handbook published in 1916 nearly one hundred pages of reprinted matter have been added. This matter is designed to cover events since the publication of the first edition, including the assembling of a large merchant fleet and the question of its disposal, together with arguments for and against government ownership and operation. The bibliography has been enlarged and brought down to date, and the introduction and briefs have been rewritten.

Ann Am Acad 90:172 Jl ’20 40w

Booklist 16:291 My ’20

“A volume covering intelligently and with reasonable fulness the history and present status of the commercial fleet of the United States.”

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Springf’d Republican p10 Ap 30 ’20 280w

PHELPS, EDITH M., ed. University debaters’ annual; constructive and rebuttal speeches delivered in debates of American colleges and universities during the college year, 1919–1920. v 6 *$2.25 Wilson, H. W.

808.5

Seven subjects of timely importance are included in this volume of the debaters’ annual: Government ownership and operation of coal mines; The Cummins plan for the control of railroads; Affiliation of teachers with the American federation of labor; Compulsory arbitration of railway labor disputes; Compulsory arbitration of labor disputes; The closed shop; Suppression of propaganda for the overthrow of the United States government (two debates). Each debate is accompanied by briefs and a selected bibliography. “The bibliographies have been compiled mostly by the editor, and are not limited to the material actually used in the debate, as their main purpose is helpfulness to the prospective debater.” (Preface) The volume is indexed.

PHILLPOTTS, EDEN. As the wind blows. *$1.50 Macmillan 821

20–18071

“Mr Phillpotts sings a good deal about his beloved Dartmoor, but he tells of other subjects, too—Gallipoli, the grave of Keats, etc.—and he has one descriptive piece from the jungle called ‘Tiger,’ and a longish blank verse poem staging Adam and Eve in Paradise.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup

“Of some of his pieces one has the impression that they were written as an exercise in verse. But in others a genuine inspiration is apparent. ‘The neolith’ and ‘Tiger’ contain fine things.”

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Ath p718 My 28 ’20 70w

“It is the reality of the atmosphere rather than the circumstance that gives Mr Phillpotts’s verse its individuality; the taste, smell, contour of locality, rather than the sharp and sudden force of either crisis or event in human action that gives the unique character to his rhythmic expression.” W. S. B.

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Boston Transcript p6 Jl 24 ’20 1750w

“He writes in the great English tradition, but brings a note that is essentially his own at the same time.”

+

N Y Times p16 N 7 ’20 290w

“It is always difficult to analyse charm, but in this instance the effect of the attraction is that we are apt to like poems that have very palpable faults.”

+ −

Spec 124:86 Jl 17 ’20 430w

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The Times [London] Lit Sup p443 Jl 8 ’20 60w

PHILLPOTTS, EDEN. Evander. *$2 Macmillan

20–4895

“Evander is an apostle of plain living and high thinking in the early days when the gods of Olympus had not settled their respective rights in the hierarchy of worship and when marriage was still a rare thing among humble folk. Festus and Livia were perhaps the first among their neighbours to wed, under the auspices of Bacchus, while Evander, as the votary of Apollo, endeavours to convert her to the higher worship of his god. He succeeds for a time in gaining her allegiance, and she leaves her husband to follow him, but finds the mental atmosphere too rarefied for her, and finally returns to her home and husband, Bacchus being able to show his half-brother the unwisdom of vengeance on Festus.”—Sat R

“The delicate, bright atmosphere in which this enchanting book is bathed must be left for the reader to enjoy.” K. M.

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Ath p15 Ja 2 ’20 650w

“The dialogue is full of witty and amiable satire of our own times, the barb being especially sharp for the ‘intelligentzia’ of all times.” H. W. Boynton

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Bookm 51:340 My ’20 460w

“It is impossible to overlook the roguish satire upon social affairs of the present day that Mr Phillpotts has woven into his story. The very presence and name of Bacchus proves that he has reference to the immediate present in writing of the far-away past.” E. F. E.

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Boston Transcript p6 F 18 ’20 1600w

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Dial 68:664 My ’20 80w

“The trouble with the book is the same as with all of Mr Phillpotts’s books—a lack of felicity which is not compensated for, as it is in the case of his master, Hardy, by a dour grandeur. ‘Evander’ particularly needed grace and there is none.”

− +

Nation 110:304 Mr 6 ’20 400w

“The tale would, indeed, be worth reading merely for the grace and charm of its style, and its flexible, deft, and effective phrasing.”

+

N Y Times 25:89 F 15 ’20 900w

“A bit of irony impishly humorous, entirely delightful.”

+

N Y Times 25:190 Ap 18 ’20 20w

“The vein is one of mild social satire; the touch is light and easy; and here also is the charm of imagination and fancy.”

+

Outlook 124:430 Mr 10 ’20 80w

“We should like to congratulate the author on his success in a rather limited style of fiction. We can remember nothing in English at all equal to it since Dr Garnett’s ‘Twilight of the gods,’ while it has much in common with Anatole France in the satire of the foibles of the philosopher which lies at its root. It may be perceived we are giving Mr Phillpotts high praise.”

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Sat R 129:40 Ja 10 ’20 150w

“A pretty, though often rather cheap, little story.”

+ − |Spec 123:822 D 13 ’19 100w

“Mr Phillpotts’s literary cunning makes an agreeable tale out of all this—picturesque and quietly humorous.”

+

The Times [London] Lit Sup p697 N 27 ’19 100w

PHILLPOTTS, EDEN. Miser’s money. *$2 Macmillan

20–3882

“The characters [of this novel] are drawn with realism and subtlety. More especially that of David Mortimer, the hard-bitten old miser, whose cheese-paring, hatred of women, and cynical disbelief in everybody and everything are so cleverly defended that they almost capture the young soul of his nephew Barry Worth, who lives with him and works his farm. David leaves his money to Barry on condition that he doesn’t marry, the fact that Barry was ‘tokened’ to a buxom barmaid having been concealed from him. Barry is true to Marian; the will is void; and the money divided between the miser’s brother and two sisters. But the lawyer who handed the will to Barry delivered at the same time a bulky letter from David to be read in solitude. In that letter is contained the mystery, the heart of the matter which makes the novel.”—Sat R

“The characters are interesting and the story moves along pleasantly and very calmly. There is less humor than in some of the earlier work.”

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Booklist 16:283 My ’20

“After all, Mr Phillpotts has said his say about human nature on Dartmoor, and he has little new to offer in type or situation. It is pleasant and comfortable to meet some more of his people now and then—and that is all.” H. W. Boynton

+ −

Bookm 51:339 My ’20 520w

“The story as a whole is an excellent example of Mr Phillpotts’s style at its best.” E. F. E.

+

Boston Transcript p4 Mr 17 ’20 1200w

“The novel is beautifully written. All Mr Phillpotts’s readers know how fine are his descriptions of his dearly loved Dartmoor, though there are fewer of them in this his latest novel than in the majority of his Dartmoor books.”

+

N Y Times p116 Mr 14 ’20 1150w

“An excellent example of the author’s quiet, subtle, and humorous exposition of contrasted character.”

+

Outlook 124:657 Ap 14 ’20 100w

“It is as charming a novel, and as telling a picture of family life on ‘Dartymoor’ as we ever read, or as Mr Phillpotts has ever written. Worthy to rank with the best of his many delightful novels.”

+

Sat R 129:333 Ap 3 ’20 440w

“The different veins of his talent, tragic and humorous, are here fused with happy results. ‘Miser’s money’ shows him at his mellowest and best as artist and observer.”

+

Spec 125:215 Ag 14 ’20 530w

“The plot is simple and rather erratic, but taken as a whole the story displays that excellence of craftsmanship which long since placed the author in the forefront of his peculiar field.”

+

Springf’d Republican p13a Ap 18 ’20 750w

“Mr Phillpotts keeps us almost too near to life. He presents us with one more faithful and consistent study of Dartmoor people, but of Dartmoor people principally in their heavier and less significant moments. The plot, though simple and pastoral, is a very good plot; but no plot could survive this flood of conversation.”

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The Times [London] Lit Sup p186 Mr 18 ’30 400w

PHILLPOTTS, EDEN.^[2] West country pilgrimage. il *$9 Macmillan 914.2

“A by-product of Mr Phillpotts’s researches into the lore of Devonshire has been put together in a volume entitled ‘A west country pilgrimage,’ with sixteen illustrations in color by A. T. Benthall. Here he sketches in a series of sixteen essays the scenes of heath and river, of village and shore as they meet the eye of the traveller through or the sojourner in that corner of England.”—Boston Transcript

“The book represents the happiest combining of language, printing, and art.” Margaret Ashmun

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Bookm 52:344 D ’20 130w

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Boston Transcript p7 O 30 ’20 260w

“Some of the water colors by A. T. Benthall are unusually fine, and they all display a decided originality of talent. To many, perhaps, the illustrations will seem preferable to the text, for they achieve their intended result with less effort.” B. R. Redman

+ −

N Y Times p9 Ja 9 ’21 140w

“An attractive book for lovers of Devon and Cornwall.”

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The Times [London] Lit Sup p442 Jl 8 ’20 90w

PICKARD, BERTRAM. Reasonable revolution. *$1.25 Macmillan 336.2

(Eng ed 19–12869)

“A thin blue volume entitled ‘A reasonable revolution,’ filled with economic principles and suggestions, has just been brought out by Macmillan company. It is an ardent and eager defense of the state bonus for motherhood and national minimum income scheme as evolved by Dennis Milner, the head of the state bonus league of England. This book is written by Bertram Pickard, who has been a co-worker with Milner for some time.” (Springf’d Republican) “Briefly, the scheme is for a national appropriation of 20 per cent of all incomes, without consideration of other taxes or burdens on them; the resulting fund to be pooled and redistributed in such a way as to provide every individual and family with a national minimum sufficient to sustain national standards of comfort, health, education and other essentials of a full and efficient life.” (Survey)

Ath p570 Jl 4 ’19 50w

“Mr Pickard is thoroughly conversant with his subject, looks at it tirelessly from every point of view and appears to answer every possible question with which a careful student of economics might attack the scheme.”

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Springf’d Republican p10 Mr 12 ’20 220w

Survey 43:194 N 29 ’19 440w

PILLSBURY, WALTER BOWERS. Psychology of nationality and internationalism. *$2.50 (3½c) Appleton 321

20–458

For descriptive note see Annual for 1919.

“The argument is well-reasoned throughout.” C. G. Fenwick

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Am Pol Sci R 14:340 My ’20 90w

“Following upon much political disputation on nationality and internationality, it is very clarifying to follow this psychologist through his discussion of the mentality of nations.”

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Booklist 16:190 Mr ’20

“His belief in the integrity of the national state does not take into account that growing regionalism which challenges the authority of the state at the same time that it denies the false unity of belligerent nationalism. And the temperate lucidity of the author’s psychological exposition does not equate his superficial examination of the historical groundwork of nationality and internationalism.”

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Dial 68:404 Mr ’20 150w

“The reviewer found the most interesting chapter the one on Hate as a social force.” Ellsworth Faris

+

Int J Ethics 30:339 Ap ’20 330w

Reviewed by Joseph Jastrow

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Nation 112:185 F 2 ’21 450w

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Springf’d Republican p11a My 16 ’20 300w

“Dr Pillsbury’s chapter on Hate as a social force is very apposite and suggestive. The chapter on The nation and mob consciousness is an excellent criticism of LeBon’s group psychology. The chapter on Nationality and the League of nations is the least satisfactory.”

+ −

The Times [London] Lit Sup p215 Ap 1 ’20 500w

PINKERTON, MRS KATHRENE SUTHERLAND (GEDNEY), and PINKERTON, ROBERT EUGENE. Long traverse. il *$1.50 (2c) Doubleday

20–12811

When Bruce Rochette comes into the northland he comes with a deadly hatred of the Hudson’s Bay Company and a determination to avenge his mother’s death which he holds the fur trading company responsible for. He wins the confidence of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s manager, Herbert Morley, and then uses every trick and stratagem at his command to establish a rival post at Fort Mystery. Everything is going well, until he meets Evelyn Morley, and falls in love with her. Judged by her absolute standards of right and wrong, his policy of all’s fair in war condemns him in his own eyes as well as hers. In an endeavor to straighten matters out, he very nearly loses his self respect, his girl, his job, and even his life. But finally everything is restored to him that is necessary for his happiness and Evelyn’s.

“A pleasantly written tale.”

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Booklist 17:35 O ’20

PINKERTON, MRS KATHRENE SUTHERLAND (GEDNEY), and PINKERTON, ROBERT EUGENE. Penitentiary Post. il *$1.50 (2c) Doubleday

20–10313

A story of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Phil Boynton is sent to take charge of the fort known as Penitentiary Post, a place with an evil reputation. Behind him at Savant House, he leaves the girl he loves, knowing that John Wickson, the man who is sending him north, also loves her and is determined to win her, and half suspecting that personal motives were back of the appointment. At Penitentiary Post he finds himself fully occupied with the mystery of the “weeteego,” or evil spirit, that haunts it. His Indians desert the place in fear and the fur hunters refuse to come near it. Joyce Plummer, hearing tales of what he is undergoing, comes alone through the storm to find him, and Wickson follows. The three, who are forced to make common cause against hunger, come to an understanding, and the poor, crazed Indian who had watched his family die of starvation and is taking a weird revenge on the white man, meets his own fate.

Booklist 17:35 O ’20

PINOCHET, TANCREDO. Gulf of misunderstanding; or, North and South America as seen by each other. *$2.50 Boni & Liveright 917.3

20–17985

“This book first appeared serially in El Norte Americano. Mr Pinochet is a Chilean and the author of seven books on government and kindred subjects. He came to this country some years ago for the expressed object of learning to understand the United States that he might tell his countrymen about us. He has selected an entertaining manner of setting forth the views of the two Americas. He has made no attempt to make a story of his book, yet he has introduced two distinct characters. The first is a Latin-American man, who, being in the United States, writes letters to his wife at home about whatever interests him in this country. The woman is an American, a member of the censor’s department during the war. She reads the letters of the husband and in her turn writes an accompanying letter, discussing the same subject.”—Boston Transcript

“The surprising thing about the book is that Mr Pinochet should so have entered into the United States point of view as to make one believe, while reading his instructive volume, that a native of this country had risen in its defense.”

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Bookm 52:368 D ’20 300w

“The book should prove a link in the chain which should finally bind closer the two continents, so many of whose interests are the same.”

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Boston Transcript p7 N 24 ’20 390w

“Both the imaginary writers are interesting and neither writes a page that one can go to sleep over.”

+ −

N Y Times p7 Ja 9 ’21 1750w

“The book has a temporary flavor, being written before the adoption of the suffrage amendment and more recent events. But it will prove interesting to anyone who wishes to know how a highly intelligent ‘foreigner’ judges our country from the front it presents to him.”

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Springf’d Republican p7a D 26 ’20 290w

PINSKI, DAVID. Ten plays. *$2 Huebsch 892.4

20–9850

These ten one-act plays have been translated from the Yiddish by Isaac Goldberg. They depict the various weaknesses and passions of men: greed, selfishness, war hysteria, lust, war’s devastation, with at the end a dramatization of the Midrash legend. The titles are: The phonograph; The god of the newly rich wool merchant; A dollar; The cripples; The Inventor and the king’s daughter; Diplomacy; Little heroes; The beautiful nun; Poland—1919; The stranger.

“Plays which are often unpleasantly grim though not sordid. There is the same keen analysis of human nature as in earlier plays. The method is symbolic rather than literal, and sometimes the meaning is blurred.”

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Booklist 16:338 Jl ’20

“Brilliant but not always clear.”

+ −

Cleveland p87 S ’20 20w

“There are few of his ‘Ten plays’ which can wholly escape the murkiness of inferior translation.” K. M.

+ −

Freeman 1:548 Ag 18 ’20 450w

“Mr Pinski has become an unswerving symbolist. He has deliberately silenced the voice of nature that sounded so clearly in his earlier plays. He still cultivates the ironic anecdote in dramatic form but his mind is more fixed on the bare intention than on the stuff of life. His peculiar dangers are the fantastic and the obscure, and these make several of his plays ineffectual.”

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Nation 110:693 My 22 ’20 250w

“Pinski may lack certain graces, especially graces of lightness and saving humor. But passion and power he does not lack, whether he writes in one-act or three. No American dramatist today gives such an effect of surging vitality. It will be a great pity if he does not identify himself more closely with American life and write ultimately for English-speaking audiences direct.” W. P. Eaton

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N Y Call p10 Jl 18 ’20 350w

“The shortest of the ten plays, ‘Cripples,’ is the strongest. Force, indeed, gnarled and ungainly, is characteristic of Mr Pinski’s drama at its best. This force, however, is accompanied by a heaviness of tread and a density of fibre which are prolific of trials for the sensitive reader.”

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Review 3:133 Ag 11 ’20 320w

“Every play in the volume is readable, most of them are actable. It would, in fact, be safe to say that they would all be actable if they were in the hand of the players of the Jewish art theatre, who know as well as Pinski does how to make the quick transitions—native to the Jewish mind and heart—from tragedy to comedy, from irony to philippic, from joy to the depths of sorrow.”

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Theatre Arts Magazine 4:225 Jl ’20 310w

PITT, FRANCES. Wild creatures of garden and hedgerow. il *$4 (7c) Dodd 590.4

20–27527

A collection of papers by an English naturalist, who says, “The following account of some of the commoner birds and beasts around us is written in the hope of interesting boys and girls, and some of the older people too if possible, in the wild life of garden, hedgerow, and field.” (Preface) Contents: Bats; The bank vole; Two common birds (blackbird and thrush); Shrews; Toads and frogs; The longtailed field mouse; ‘The little gentleman in the black velvet coat’; Thieves of the night; Some garden birds; The hedgehog; Three common reptiles; The short-tailed field vole. The illustrations are from photographs.

“Her first-hand records are set out in an easy unpretentious style, and on obscure points she makes suggestions as illuminating as they are modest.” E. B.

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Ath p303 S 3 ’20 720w

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Booklist 17:100 D ’20

“Miss Pitt’s book is beautifully printed and handsomely illustrated and is especially of value for the reading of young people, many of whom are glad to make friends with the living things of the world about them.”

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Boston Transcript p4 D 11 ’20 400w

“Miss Pitt is to be congratulated on a book which takes its place in the first rank of works on field natural history. It is a personal record of clever, patient, and sympathetic observation.” J. A. T.

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Nature 106:246 O 21 ’20 1700w

“The author’s work is not inspired or inspiring, but it is clean of sentimentality and of spurious nature philosophy, pleasant reading, and informative.”

+

N Y Evening Post p29 O 23 ’20 130w

Reviewed by E. L. Pearson

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Review 3:376 O 27 ’20 50w

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Spec 125:710 N 27 ’20 30w

“The photographs of the little creatures in their haunts are most cleverly taken.”

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The Times [London] Lit Sup p554 Ag 26 ’20 60w

“Even if they sometimes carry a rather too large conclusion, these histories of birds and beasts and creeping things are full of fine insight and the right enthusiasm.”

+ −

The Times [London] Lit Sup p563 S 2 ’20 600w

PLATT, AGNES. Practical hints on playwriting. il *$1.50 (5c) Dodd 808.2

20–17152

A book of advice on writing for the professional stage. The author says “I do most fervently believe that the dry bones of stage technique can be taught—in fact, all my personal experience goes to prove this. I have been handling plays now for more years than I care to remember, and have found in case after case that a little technical adjustment will turn an unmarketable play into a commercial proposition.” Among the topics covered are: What the public want; Things that are essential in a good play; How to choose a plot; How to select and differentiate the characters; Humour; How to sell a play when finished; Casting and production. A glossary of stage terms comes at the end. The author is an English woman writing with London conditions in mind but most of her discussion is general in nature.

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Ath p384 Mr 19 ’20 50w

“A beginner, provided he were only a beginner with no idea of the drama, would do well to read this book.”

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N Y Evening Post p10 D 31 ’20 180w

PLUMB, CHARLES SUMNER. Types and breeds of farm animals. (Country life educ. ser.) rev ed il *$3.80 Ginn 636

20–8897

A revision of a work published in 1906. The new edition contains “a more detailed discussion relative to the great breeds, and considerable space is devoted to families of importance and to noted individuals. A large amount of new data has been collected relating to various phases of production, although it is a hopeless task to bring such records down to date.... The number of chapters remains the same, but several obsolete breeds have been omitted and other new and more important ones have been substituted. Maps and many illustrations have been added.” (Foreword)

“The book gives probably the best account published of modern farm animals and there are good illustrations. Another very interesting feature is the history of the families which the author has diligently worked out.” E. J. R.

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Nature 106:659 Ja 20 ’21 210w

POLLAK, GUSTAV. International minds and the search for the restful. $1.50 Nation press 814

19–16675

The collection of essays in this book are gathered from articles contributed to the Evening Post and the Nation before the war. As the title indicates, they fall into two groups. The first group bears out the author’s claim “that intellect recognizes no distinctions of nationality, race, or religion.” He has selected a representative of each, from the literatures of Germany, Austria, France and America in the persons of Goethe, Grillparzer, Sainte-Beuve and Lowell and points out a certain similarity of attitude toward life and literature, of perception of the dignity of literary achievement, of keen-eyed observation and of a self-contained repose. The second group of essays is devoted to Ernst, Baron von Feuchtersleben, and his book on the “Hygiene of the soul” which of late years has achieved a new fame. One of the essays gives a resumé of the book. The titles of the essays are: Literature and patriotism; Goethe’s universal interests; Grillparzer’s originality; Sainte-Beuve’s unique position; Lowell: patriot and cosmopolitan; Permanent literary standards; Feuchtersleben the philosopher; The hygiene of the soul; Feuchtersleben’s aphorisms; Feuchtersleben’s influence.

POLLARD, ALBERT FREDERICK. Short history of the great war. *$3.25 Harcourt 940.3

20–26545

“Although several histories of the war have already appeared, only a few of them have been written by men who had an ante-war historical reputation. Dr Pollard is one of this small group. For many years he has held the chair of English history in the University of London, and is the author of numerous historical works, besides having served as assistant editor of the ‘Dictionary of national biography.’ His record of the war is chronologically complete, and includes the work of the peace conference.”—R of Rs

“Simply as an account of military events the volume leaves something to be desired, in spite however of what the book does not contain—and one cannot say everything in four hundred pages—the volume is well worth reading.” A. P. Scott

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Am Hist R 26:331 Ja ’21 470w

“An excellent feature of Professor Pollard’s evenly balanced and temperately written narrative is that it corrects several popular misapprehensions.”

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Ath p431 Mr 26 ’20 260w

Booklist 16:309 Je ’20

“An excellent record of the facts, combined with a true representation of their relative importance. Some of his opinions will not be generally accepted, and he has a strong prejudice against the present prime minister. Original views will not, however, detract from the great and patriotic interest of the book. The style is vigorous and sometimes eloquent.” G. B. H.

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Eng Hist R 35:477 Jl ’20 190w

“In contrast with some other writers on the subject, he has succeeded in being more historical than hysterical. Having mastered the sources, as far as they are available, he presents his conclusions with admirable impartiality. But his book is conclusive proof that the true history of the war will not be written in this generation.” Preserved Smith

+ −

Nation 110:804 Je 12 ’20 800w

“It is written from the British rather than from the world’s point of view.” Walter Littlefield

+ −

N Y Times p6 D 19 ’20 380w

“He has vision, he has perspective, and almost more, he has style. In reading this book, we are clearly conscious that a discriminating spirit of power and clearness is ever preserving a proper balance, and so resisting the temptation of overcoloring and undercoloring. Professor Pollard has written a capital book, packed with common sense; it will be hard to surpass it.”

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Review 3:423 N 3 ’20 650w

“His book undoubtedly represents the best that English historical scholarship can do at this stage by way of outlining the five-years’ struggle.”

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R of Rs 61:670 Je ’20 120w

“Professor Pollard’s lucid narrative and caustic comments are highly interesting. His very able and stimulating book deserves careful reading.”

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Spec 124:355 Mr 13 ’20 200w

“Professor Pollard’s is a notable achievement; and he who has been looking for the one small volume which shall tell him what innumerable more bulky ones have failed to impart may be confidently recommended to purchase this short history. We cannot, however, invariably follow Professor Pollard in his military appreciations.”

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The Times [London] Lit Sup p133 F 26 ’20 1050w

POLLEN, JOHN HUNGERFORD. English Catholics in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 1558 to 1580; a study of their politics, civil life and government. *$7.50 (*21s) Longmans 282

20–7672

“Father Pollen has written a history of the English Catholics under Elizabeth from the fall of the old church to the advent of the counter-reformation (1558–1580). He himself gives us the reasons of his beginning with the reign of Elizabeth; ‘Henry’s revolt is indeed the proper starting-point for a history of the reformation taken as a whole; but Elizabeth’s accession is better, if one is primarily considering the political and civil life of the post-reformation Catholics. Reform and counter-reform under Henry, Edward and Mary were transitory. The constructive work of each was immediately undone by their successor. But the work done by Queen Elizabeth, whether by Catholic or Protestant, lasted a long time. There have, of course, been many developments since, but they have proceeded on the lines then laid down. On the Catholic side the work of reorganization began almost immediately after the first crash, though it was only in the middle of the reign that the vitality and permanence of the new measures became evident.’”—Cath World

“The soundness of his assumptions, the critical value of his judgments, are certainly for us to consider. An internal history of Catholic organization such as Father Pollen might write would be exceptionally valuable, but this book does not contain it.” R. G. Usher

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Am Hist R 26:84 O ’20 1250w

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Cath World 111:534 Jl ’20 1050w

“Father Pollen has written an interesting and scholarly work on a critical period of our island history. The book is written, on the whole, with tact and discrimination: the author holds the scales more evenly than most Catholic historians do between the warring creeds and factions.”

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Sat R 130:55 Ag 17 ’20 1200w

“His present volume is well documented with printed and unprinted material. He is somewhat sparing in his references to other scholars who have laboured in the same field.”

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The Times [London] Lit Sup p560 S 2 ’20 1400w

POLLOCK, SIR FREDERICK. League of nations. *$4 (*10s 6d) Macmillan 341.1

20–14891

“The author’s purpose is to give a practical exposition of the covenant of the League of nations, ‘with so much introduction as appears proper for enabling the reader to understand the conditions under which the League was formed and has to commence its work.’ The references to authentic documents and to other publications, which are given at the heads of some of the chapters, are of material assistance to the reader.”—Ath

Ath p462 Ap 2 ’20 130w

“A valuable reference and guide to further reading written for the layman.”

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Booklist 17:55 N ’20

“The veteran jurist’s exposition of the text of the covenant is lucidity itself.”

+

Spec 124:215 F 14 ’20 180w

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The Times [London] Lit Sup p39 Ja 15 ’20 330w

POLLOCK, JOHN.^[2] Bolshevik adventure. *$2.50 Dutton 914.7

20–1771

“Mr Pollock was in Russia from 1915 to 1919, and his book pretends to be nothing more than a calm statement of facts as he saw them.” (Ath) “We gather that until the revolution of November, the author worked on the Red cross committee: when the others left the country, however, he stayed on, though he should have left with them. One day in the summer of 1918, he was told by a friend that the Red guards were in possession of his rooms at the hotel. From that date he lived under a disguise and an assumed name. He got employment as a producer of plays, and to attain membership in the second food category he joined the ‘Professional union of workers in theatrical undertakings.’ He worked in this capacity first at Moscow, and afterwards at Petrograd until January, 1919, when he decided to risk an attempt at escape into Finland.” (Sat R)

Ath p32 Ja 2 ’20 150w

“‘The entire upper class’ is Mr Pollock’s chief concern throughout his book. Everything else in Russia is anathema, to be damned in eternity. Especially the Jews. There are so many Jews in the ‘Bolshevik adventure’ that in reading the book one has the impression that Mr Pollock uses Russia as a misnomer for Jewry.” S. K.

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Ath p111 Ja 23 ’20 1250w

“The like of his book for misstatement, weakness of thought, and excited imagination is not to be found even among books on Russia.” Jacob Zeitlin

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Nation 112:20 Ja 5 ’21 240w

“This book should have been written in two parts, the first containing Chapters I to VI and the second Chapters VII, VIII, and IX. Then the first part should have been filed with the Minister of propaganda at London and pigeonholed in an asbestos-lined receptacle. This treatment would have left us with eighty pages of rather vivid narrative by an English eye-witness.”

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N Y Evening Post p4 D 31 ’20 780w

“It is a pity that Mr Pollock’s style of writing is not better: some of the confusion of Russia appears to have crept into the construction of his sentences. Apart from such minor defects as these, the book is a magnificent and crushing indictment of the Bolsheviks by one who has lived under their misrule for nearly sixteen months. No other work on the subject has conjured up for us such a vivid picture of the loathsome misery and degradation to which communism can drag a country.”

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Sat R 129:211 F 28 ’20 550w

“Where Mr Pollock tells his own story he does succeed in adding to the volume of evidence against them. But the other portions of the book, written in the early days of the bolshevik régime, are too violent and too superficial to be convincing.”

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The Times [London] Lit Sup p2 Ja 1 ’20 1050w

POLLOCK, WALTER. Hot bulb oil engines and suitable vessels. il *$10 Van Nostrand 621.4

(Eng ed 20–10619)

“The objects of this book are: (1) To popularise the engine, to explain what it has done and what it is capable of doing; (2) To enable those interested to appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of the various designs; (3) To facilitate the study, and add to the general knowledge of this form of prime mover and its application to vessels of various types.” (Chapter I) There are 369 illustrations and an index.

“The photographic reproductions and clear and carefully executed drawings are calculated to give sufficient detail without introducing unnecessary complexity.”

+

Engineer 129:225 F 27 ’20 380w

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N Y P L New Tech Bks p32 Ap ’20 160w

POOLE, ERNEST. Blind. *$2.50 (2c) Macmillan

20–18299

The theme of this novel is stated in Chapter 1: “I am blind—but no blinder than is the mind of the world, these days. The long thin splinter of German steel which struck in behind my eyes did no more to me than the war has done to the vision of humanity.” Larry Hart, who tells the story, begins with his boyhood, describing the happy home life that his Aunt Amelia created for himself and his sister Lucy as well as for her own children in the old Connecticut homestead. After college he goes to New York as a journalist, lives in the slums with his friend, Steve McCrea, a doctor, has a part in the budding reform movements of the nineties, mixes with radicals, interests himself in strikes, writes plays, is swept into the enthusiasm of the Progressive movement and in 1914 goes to Berlin as correspondent. Later he goes to Russia to report the revolution and when America enters the war enlists, and, as the first chapter foretells, is blinded. In its closing chapters the book becomes largely a commentary on America’s part in the war, arriving at no definite point of view or conclusion.

“Little plot, but real people and much earnest seeking after truth.”

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Booklist 17:73 N ’20

“On the whole, it is newspaper correspondence worked into the shape of a novel. The parts dealing with Russia immediately after the fall of the Czar are especially interesting.”

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Dial 70:230 F ’21 100w

“The author is more than a seer of social progress; he has the sense for individuality which a novelist must possess. It suffers not because it is, in large part, about the war period, but, like its blind, hard-thinking hero, because of the war. It is like many an ex-soldier, just perceptibly shell-shocked. As a book it should have been restrained, cut down, cooled, simplified. But so should the war.”

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N Y Evening Post p4 O 23 ’20 900w

“‘Blind’ is just one more testimonial to the incompatibility as bookmates of art and argument, one more example of their mutually fatal effect upon each other. When ‘the will to convince’ comes in at the door, artistry flies out the window. Some of the descriptive writing in ‘Blind’ is excellent.”

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N Y Times p24 O 31 ’20 800w

“It must not be thought that the novel is one of social propaganda alone. It has fictional vitality because of the variety and realism of its shifting scenes, the good and bad human qualities of its actors, its rapid movement, and its precision in description.” R. D. Townsend

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Outlook 126:653 D 8 ’20 270w

“It seems incredible that so soon after a devastating war anyone could write so sane a book as ‘Blind.’ Best of all, it is a book that compels thought, without a shred of the sentimentality that so many novelists feel is a necessity in any successful novel recipe.” E. P. Wyckoff

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Pub W 98:1191 O 16 ’20 260w

POOLEY, ANDREW MELVILLE. Japan’s foreign policies. *$3.50 Dodd 327

(Eng ed 20–12064)

The present volume was originally a part of a larger unpublished work. The chapters of that work dealing with Japan’s internal affairs were published in 1917 under the title “Japan at the cross roads” while the chapters dealing with Japan’s foreign affairs compose the present book. It records the rapid imperialistic developments in Japan and its Chinese policy and hints at the possibility of a war between America and Japan in the making. Contents: Japan and the Anglo-Japanese alliances; Japan’s real policy in China; The first revolution in China, 1911–12; The second revolution in China, 1912–13; Japan, America and Mexico, 1911–14; The twenty-one demands; Japan’s commercial expansion, 1914–18; Note.

Booklist 17:95 D ’20

Boston Transcript p4 N 6 ’20 750w

Reviewed by A. P. Danton

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N Y Evening Post p3 D 31 ’20 1000w

Reviewed by W. W. Willoughby

Review 3:474 N 17 ’20 1300w

The Times [London] Lit Sup p386 Je 17 ’20 90w

“In the present work special knowledge is manifest, but its value is vitiated from the outset by the violence of the author’s unconcealed hostility. His book is a sweeping judgment, and, like all sweeping judgments, unjust. There is evidence of this kind of haste throughout the book, from the literary as well as from the critical point of view.”

− +

The Times [London] Lit Sup p462 Jl 22 ’20 1000w

Reviewed by W. R. Wheeler

Yale R n s 10:431 Ja ’21 340w

POORE, IDA MARGARET (GRAVES) lady. Rachel Fitzpatrick. *$1.75 (2c) Lane

20–11899

The heroine is an Irish girl who spends two years with wealthy relatives in London. The Fitzpatricks belong to the gentry but are very poor and gladly accept the offer that means two years of education for Rachel. At the end of the two years she goes to Germany. The war finds her there alone with her aunt’s German husband, who takes advantage of the situation to make love to her. She runs away and after many difficulties reaches Ireland. The course of the war and the Irish attitude are touched upon and the story ends with Rachel’s marriage to her sailor lover.

“The authoress’s naive Irish heroine is skilfully and naturally drawn.”

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Ath p386 Mr 19 ’20 100w

“If there is a fault to be found with this story, it is that enough is not made of the big scenes in the life of the charming heroine. Yet, this does not, somehow, detract from the pleasure of the book, which is charmingly written in a style that is too rapidly passing. A good part of the pleasure derived from the story is due to its clever characterizations.”

+ −

N Y Times 25:27 Jl 25 ’20 550w

+

Outlook 125:615 Ag 4 ’20 30w

“A novel which is neither better nor worse than hundreds of others.”

+ −

Sat R 129:455 My 15 ’20 140w

“What is perhaps the chief merit of quite a readable story is the pictures of Irish life and character, of which the author has an intimate knowledge.”

+

The Times [London] Lit Sup p189 Mr 18 ’20 150w

POPENOE, WILSON. Manual of tropical and subtropical fruits. (Rural manuals) il *$5 Macmillan 634

20–15789

“The author is an expert, employed as agricultural explorer for the United States Department of agriculture. On his title page he announces his design of excluding the banana, the cocoanut, the pineapple, citrus fruits, the olive and the fig.... He begins with the avocado, which many people in the regions where it grows often call the avocado pear. He displays his scientific knowledge by giving first a botanical description of the avocado, its history and distribution, its composition and its uses.... The story of the avocado is followed with similar considerations of the mango, the date, the papaya and its relatives, the loquat, the guava and its intimates, the litchi, kaki, pomegranate, breadfruit and a great variety of other fruits of lesser fame, about which few of us have heard.”—Boston Transcript