S
SACKVILLE, MARGARET, lady. Selected poems. *$2.50 Dutton 821
“Lady Margaret Sackville is a feminine version of the late Richard Middleton. Her themes are the themes of Middleton—the gay seasons, love and desire with their antithesis of crepuscular quiet, a selected Greek mythology, and the vaguely idealistic ‘dreams’ of the romantics.” (Ath) “She writes lyrics and short plays: her subjects are largely Greek, and, so far as effects of brightness and directness, of clear air and frank sunshine, are concerned, the atmosphere is Greek.” (Review)
“Out of her materials she makes a bright, easy poetry, which it would be unfair to subject to the test of frequent reading. It is only at rare intervals that something of more permanent quality, as, for example, ‘Invitation au repos,’ rises above the level of pleasant facility.”
+ − Ath p225 F 13 ’20 110w
“Lady Margaret Sackville is the possessor of charm. Original or powerful she may not be, but charm in itself is fortune.” O. W. Firkins
+ Review 3:318 O 13 ’20 330w
“Lady Margaret Sackville has suffered by reason of being Lady Margaret. The paths were made too easy for her. She set out with the true throat of the bird at dawn, but somehow somewhere the music went wrong. It is wrong now.”
− + Sat R 129:392 Ap 24 ’20 170w
“Pieces that give the effect of having been written as technical exercises, but which are not without charm.”
+ − Spec 124:429 Mr 27 ’20 30w
SADLER, MICHAEL. Anchor. *$1.75 (2½c) McBride
The interest of the story centers about Laddie Macallister, an over-sensitive, introspective young man whose self-questionings and doubtings make him feel hopelessly adrift and unstable for all his solid foundation of a clean and honest manhood. We meet him first as newspaper correspondent for an English paper in Paris; later as literary secretary for a radical London weekly. The anchor, the “something-firm-to-cling-to” which he craves he finds in Janet Tring, daughter of a country squire and a singularly well-poised, straightforward bit of young womanhood. It is the character-drawing rather than the plot that is significant in the story. Some of the other characters that stand out are Laddie’s father, the country parson, whose mellow wisdom and dependable love for his son are the latter’s safe armor; Dermot Gill, the very odd, very lovable and very radical Irishman, whose friendship Laddie picked up en route; Janet’s cousin, the militant suffragette, proud of her prison record; and the wily newspaper woman whose vindictive designs on Laddie rebound from Janet’s good sense.
“The sentimentality of such fiction lies in its slavish worship of youngness—the mere state and act of being young, of muddling through youth.” H. W. Boynton
+ − Review 2:489 My 8 ’20 900w
“The story is lacking in form and consistency; the latter half, which tells the love story, has the greater driving force. The character of Laddie is, within limits, fairly clear and truthful. Mr Sadler’s method is psychological, but not unduly so, and the story of the partial love affairs which accompany his great love is done with some originality and insight.”
+ Springf’d Republican p11a Je 13 ’20 480w
SAFRONI-MIDDLETON, A. South Sea foam. *$2 (2c) Doran 919.6
20–18944
In “the romantic adventures of a modern Don Quixote in the southern seas” (Sub-title) the author has attempted to capture and hold for all times, some of the earliest “poetic babblings” of the children of nature of the South Sea islands before, with the advent of the missionary, “island mythology and heathen legends were sponged off the map of existence.” He has attempted to see the mysteries of nature with the eyes of the primitive man and, in retelling the legends of some old Polynesian chiefs, to remain as faithful to primitive conceptions as is possible to a sophisticated mind. The contents give glimpses of the author’s own adventurous youth in following the call of the “true poetry of life” and some of his island reminiscences in: Fae Fae; The heathen’s garden of Eden; In old Fiji; Kasawayo and the serpent; O Le Langi the pagan poet; An old Marquesan queen; Charity organization of the South Seas.
Ath p1395 D 26 ’19 500w
“Not the least stimulating portions are those devoted to the sailing vessels in which the author has pursued his study of man and nature.” Margaret Ashmun
+ Bookm 52:343 D ’20 200w + Boston Transcript p5 O 6 ’20 350w Cleveland p76 Ag ’20 70w
“The jerky transitions, the Bowdlerized legends, the tantalizing sequels that the author ‘can’t tell,’ the dialect never heard on land or sea, the author’s occasional verse ... contrive to trip the reader up time after time just as the magic joy of life is beckoning him farther into fairyland.”
− + Nation 111:786 D 29 ’20 260w
“Here is a chronicle of vagabonding among the isles of the South seas that sets him who has lived amid the cities of civilization to wondering whether or not he has squandered his life.”
+ N Y Times 25:301 Je 6 ’20 540w
“Much of the same delicate charm of fantasy which belongs to so many of the Hindu stories told us by F. W. Bain distinguishes, also, these tales of the isles in the far seas.”
+ N Y Times p26 S 12 ’20 380w
“It makes one long for Stevenson, who could be frank and downright enough, but never wrote with a leer.” E. L. Pearson
− Review 3:229 S 15 ’20 300w
“Mr Safroni-Middleton gives us a glimpse of true natural poetry that should appeal to the lover of life and beauty.”
+ Springf’d Republican p9a O 17 ’20 300w The Times [London] Lit Sup p709 D 4 ’19 320w
ST JOHN, LARRY. Practical fly fishing. (Outing handbooks) il *$1.25 Macmillan 799
20–3413
“As the title indicates, it is a treatise about luring the finny inhabitants of pond, lake or other watery area into human hands, through the medium of the ‘fly.’ There are numerous illustrations that will please and enlighten both the amateur and the ‘old-timer.’ There is a brief historical review of this form of fishing, while considerable space is given over to tackle, other chapters are given over to flies, reels, apparel, biological, preparatory and casting. The final chapter is entitled ‘strategy,’ and deals with methods of best making use of the tackle, reels, etc., previously described.”—Springf’d Republican
Booklist 16:269 My ’20 R of Rs 61:560 My ’20 80w
“The descriptions are written in simple direct form, and are easily understood and applied.”
+ Springf’d Republican p10 Mr 12 ’20 160w
ST MARS, F. Way of the wild (Eng title, Pinion and paw). il *$2 (2c) Stokes 590.4
20–100
Epics of the wild would truly characterize these tales of thrilling adventures of wild things in their own haunts. They are not natural history but stories of animals befitting their characters as men conceive them. Thus in “Gulo the indomitable” we see the wolverine—most hated of all the animals among themselves, with a character “that came straight from the devil,” and with brains “that only man, and no beast, ought to be trusted with”—and his ghoulish escapades. The weak and the powerful, the four-footed and the winged tribes, even the legless viper, engage our human sympathies for their fears, their passions, their struggles and their wiles. Contents: Gulo the indomitable; Blackie and co.; Under the yellow flag; Nine points of the law; Pharaoh; The cripple; “Set a thief”; The where is it? Lawless little love; The king’s son; The highwayman of the marsh; The furtive feud; The storm pirate; When nights were cold; Fate and the fearful; The eagles of Loch Royal; Ratel, V. C.; The day; Illustrations.
“Real art here, with the scientist’s passion for strict accuracy. It is a book for the whole family, a book to be kept and cherished and handed on to the children as they grow old enough to appreciate it.” Hildegarde Hawthorne
+ N Y Times p4 D 5 ’20 150w
SAINT-SAËNS, CAMILLE. Musical memories; tr. by Edwin Gile Rich. il *$3 Small 780.4
19–15405
“This book is virtually an autobiography, but the story of the author’s life is told briefly, so as to leave room for chapters on Rossini, Meyerbeer, Offenbach, Viardot, Louis Gallet, Delsarte, Victor Hugo, which, however, are also more or less autobiographic, for these were among his friends. The English volume omits some of the chapters in the original French edition and changes the order of others.” (Bookm) “Contents: Memories of my childhood; The old conservatoire; Victor Hugo; The history of an opéra-comique; Louis Gallet; History and mythology in opera; Art for art’s sake; Popular science and art; Anarchy in music; The organ; Joseph Haydn and the ‘Seven words’; The Liszt centenary at Heidelberg (1912); Berlioz’s requiem; Pauline Viardot; Orphée; Delsarte; Seghers; Rossini; Jules Massenet; Meyerbeer; Jacques Offenbach; Their majesties; Musical painters.” (Pittsburgh)
+ Booklist 16:80 D ’19
“It should be in every library.” H: T. Finck
+ Bookm 51:171 Ap ’20 250w
“Camille Saint-Saens is not only one of France’s greatest living composers but a musician who can write excellent and witty prose, and an erudite scholar who knows how to impart information without being pedantic.” Henrietta Strauss
+ Nation 111:75 Jl 17 ’20 320w Pittsburgh 25:35 Ja ’20 70w
Reviewed by Lawrence Gilman
Yale R n s 9:872 Jl ’20 1100w
SAINTSBURY, GEORGE. Notes on a cellar-book. *$3 Macmillan 663
“Mr Saintsbury, it will be remembered, had proposed to write a history of wine; for sundry reasons he renounced his intention; and what he gives us in this small volume are ‘notes and reminiscences on the subject which may ... add a little to the literature of one of the three great joys of life.’” (The Times [London] Lit Sup) “The body of the work is occupied by a history of Mr Saintsbury’s experiences in keeping a wine cellar; literally, as the title has it, the record of a cellar-book.” (Review)
“Here, then, is a book which few men, and no woman, could have written, full of knowledge that comes of experience, and is therefore, as a rule, useless to others—full of the ripe humour that characterizes all the best things of the world.” R. S.
+ Ath p301 S 3 ’20 800w
“A quaint and delightful chronicle it is, and as we have a right to expect from such a pen, interspersed with many an apt literary hint and suggestion.” Michael Monahan
+ Review 3:559 D 8 ’20 2150w
“Mr Saintsbury was prevented from carrying out his original intention of writing a history of wine, but he has done the next best thing in giving us this book.”
+ Spec 125:114 Jl 24 ’20 1900w
“No man could be less of a pedant. His erudition does not obtrude itself; it merely supplies suitably evocative expressions; the bubbles wink, and so does he. There is the very spirit of wine in the genial ferocity with which he denounces those who would deprive him of that good gift.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p436 Jl 8 ’20 1000w
SAMPSON, EMMA SPEED. Mammy’s white folks. il *$1.50 (2c) Reilly & Lee
20–4267
Dr Andy Wallace is a shy young doctor with no use for women folks when a baby girl is left on his doorstep. His negro Mammy persuades him to keep the child and he brings her up as his own daughter. The story tells of the happiness she brings to him, and of the happiness that comes to her when she grows to womanhood. Mammy has a large part in the story and the widow Richards and her daughter Lucile, who try to steal Esther’s privileges, are also factors, as is Dr Jim Dudley, the doctor’s assistant.
“A good wholesome story dominated by the motherly old negro’s philosophy.”
+ Booklist 17:36 O ’20
SAMPTER, JESSIE ETHEL, ed. Guide to Zionism. il $1.50 Zionist organization of Am. 296
20–8649
The book has grown out of an earlier publication, ‘A course in Zionism,’ now out of print. The present volume is more than twice the size of the first and presents as many more problems and facts concerning the Zionist movement. Its purpose is to serve not only for individual perusal but as a text-book for groups of students. Of its thirty-three chapters the first ten deal with Zionist theory, history and organization, the next ten with more specialized phases of the movement, and the last thirteen with Palestine. Each chapter is followed by a short bibliography and there are important appendices, a general bibliography, an index and illustrations.
SANBORN, MARY FARLEY (MRS FRED C. SANBORN). First valley. *$1.75 (2½c) Four seas co.
20–8860
A story of life after death. Tina, a pleasure-loving girl, killed in an automobile accident, is speeded to the other world in the swift car of Death, not knowing what is happening to her. She finds herself in the first valley of the life to come and valiantly sets herself to learn its ways. She makes friends with the Spade Man, who teaches her to cultivate her garden, and with Odo, the childlike poet, and she lends a helping hand to those who follow her to this new world, to St Leon, the university professor who bemoans his lost career, and to Helene, the beautiful woman whose worldly ideals have not been abandoned. The story ends with her passage to the second valley.
“A curiously interesting book.”
+ Cleveland p106 D ’20 20w
“It is a little book conceived in a spirit of singular purity and reverence, and almost faultlessly executed; without cant or sentimentalism or any forcing of the risky note.” H. W. Boynton
+ Review 3:234 S 15 ’20 250w
SANCHEZ, MRS NELLIE (VAN DE GRIFT). Life of Mrs Robert Louis Stevenson. il *$2.25 (2½c) Scribner
20–3787
“Whoever reads this book from cover to cover will surely agree that no woman ever had a life of more varied experiences nor went through them all with a stauncher courage.” So writes Mrs Sanchez in the preface to this biography of her sister Fanny, wife of Robert Louis Stevenson. There are thirteen chapters: Ancestors; Early days in Indiana; On the Pacific slope; France, and the meeting at Grez; In California with Robert Louis Stevenson; Europe and the British Isles; Away to sunnier lands; The happy years in Samoa; The lonely days of widowhood; Back to California; Travels in Mexico and Europe; The last days at Santa Barbara. There are a number of portraits and other illustrations. Letters from Henry James and others are quoted and the book closes with an account of the services at Vailima in 1915 when the ashes of Mrs Stevenson were carried to her husband’s resting place on the summit of Mount Vaea.
+ Ath p650 N 12 ’20 580w
“Well worth while, not only as an addition to Stevensoniana, but also as a picture of a very interesting woman.”
+ Booklist 16:241 Ap ’20
“To the Stevensonian, this book is a mine of delight. It sets down what has never before been sufficiently made clear, that Mrs Stevenson was, in her own way, as remarkable and as gifted as her husband.” Christopher Morley
+ Bookm 51:356 My ’20 850w + Boston Transcript p6 Mr 3 ’20 2650w + Cleveland p73 Ag ’20 150w
“So interesting that one could wish it more extended. We are inclined to think the book better worth while than anything that has been printed about Stevenson since the Letters.’”
+ Outlook 124:431 Mr 10 ’20 150w
“This concise and vivid narrative reveals Mrs Stevenson clearly as the splendid woman she was, but it also reveals her, first and last, as the reason why the literary world today possesses some of the most highly valued of the works of Robert Louis Stevenson.”
+ Springf’d Republican p6 My 3 ’20 600w
“One might venture to say she has written a manly book. She has drawn the character of a frank and courageous woman with a straightforwardness that would surely have pleased its possessor.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p699 O 28 ’20 2000w
SANDBURG, CARL. Chicago race riots, July, 1919. pa 60c Harcourt 326
19–19136
“Reprinted from articles contributed at the time to a Chicago newspaper, Mr Sandburg’s description tallies with other authentic accounts of the origin and progress of the race riots. Though he acted merely as a reporter, the author evidently formed strong opinions of his own as to the most promising line of action to prevent the recurrence of this outrageous happening. Better housing, more and better industrial opportunities, and—immediately—a thorough federal investigation of the unsatisfactory race relationships that lead to race conflicts seem part of such a program.”—Survey
“A serious and intelligent investigation into conditions which made the race riots possible. A contribution to the solving of the negro problem in any section of the country.”
+ Booklist 16:154 F ’20
“The pamphlet is naturally less constructed, less pondered than Mr Seligmann’s careful thesis. But it has the advantage of its journalistic method, for by personal narrative and comment it makes vivid its statistics and analysis, and brings the general problem down to more specific terms.” M. E. Bailey
+ Bookm 52:303 Ja ’21 170w
“Everyone in this country who is interested in our sharpest national disgrace—our treatment of negro citizens ought to read this collection of articles. Especially every Chicagoan ought to read it.” E. F. Wyatt
+ New Repub 22:98 Mr 17 ’20 1750w + Spec 124:51 Jl 10 ’20 700w + Survey 43:408 Ja 10 ’20 100w
SANDBURG, CARL. Smoke and steel. *$2 Harcourt 811
20–17899
The sections of this new book of poems are called Smoke nights, People who must, Broken-face gargoyles, Playthings of the wind, Mist forms, Accomplished facts, Passports, Circles of doors, Haze, Panels. Some of the poems are reprinted from Poetry, the New Republic, Liberator, and other periodicals.
+ Booklist 17:63 N ’20
“‘Smoke and steel’ is both an epic of modern industrialism and a mighty pæan to modern beauty.” L: Untermeyer
+ Bookm 52:362 Ja ’21 360w
“Mr Sandburg has no sense of the past, no vision of the future, and so his reality is a little huddled bunch of dried-up aspects out of which have escaped the aspects of life about which he is so passionately concerned. This is a great pity, because I believe there is no poet in the country who has by nature the qualities of spirit which, if fused and blended in the proper alembic, would not make some of the loveliest and most convincing poems of our day.” W: S. Braithwaite
* + -|Boston Transcript p7 O 16 ’20 2050w
“Sandburg has lost (at least temporarily) the one and only thing which makes him great—the ability to determine when he has written something good. He now apparently believes that everything he writes is a poem. He imitates Gary, and turns his product out on a quantity basis.” Arthur Wilson
− Dial 70:80 Ja ’21 680w
“‘Smoke and steel’ is longer than either of the earlier volumes, and not so uniformly good. Over many pages, it must be admitted, Mr Sandburg has rather obviously repeated himself, has put himself through motions that were more profitable once than they are now. But the book as a whole has great fascination and pull. Technically, Mr Sandburg is as interesting as any poet alive.”
+ Nation 111:621 D 1 ’21 750w
“This new collection establishes what ‘Chicago poems’ only promised and ‘Cornhuskers’ plainly intimated. It proves that these states can now claim two living major poets: Sandburg and Frost.” L: Untermeyer
+ New Repub 25:86 D 15 ’20 1450w
“He is misty, rather than descriptive or truly evocative; he is the whole antithesis of the imagist demand for a sharply evoked image, if this is their demand; and, sometimes at least, it should be. We see the smoke, and miss the steel.” Clement Wood
− + N Y Call p6 Ja 9 ’21 600w
Reviewed by Babette Deutsch
+ N Y Evening Post p6 N 27 ’20 1150w
“Reading these poems gives me more of a patriotic emotion than ever ‘The star-spangled banner’ has been able to do. This is America, and Mr Sandburg loves her so much that suddenly we realize how much we love her, too. Either this is a very remarkable poet or he is nothing, for with the minors he clearly has no place. He has greatly dared, and I personally believe that posterity with its pruning hand will mount him high on the ladder of poetic achievement.” Amy Lowell
+ − N Y Times p7 O 24 ’20 2500w
“Mr Sandburg has introduced themes which have seldom, perhaps never, been treated before. There is an impressive display of energy in ‘Smoke and steel.’ His poems are true to a certain kind of life, they are undoubtedly American. They do succeed, then, in doing what they set out to do, but whether this in itself constitutes a high and right art is another question.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p816 D 9 ’20 1700w
SANDERS, LLOYD CHARLES. Patron and place-hunter; a study of George Bubb Dodington, Lord Melcombe. il *$5 Lane
20–5659
George Bubb Dodington was a prominent political and social figure in the reigns of George I and George II on whom Lord Chesterfield bestowed the sobriquet of “blest coxcomb,” on account of his supreme conceit and ostentation, but who nevertheless had some compensating qualities of sincerity, capacity for friendship, and courage. His notorious diary has made him a historical figure and the present account of his life is a picture of the England of his day. Contents: Dodington’s ancestry; The youth of George Bubb; George Bubb, plenipotentiary; The seizure of Sardinia; Dodington and Walpole; Eastbury; A prince and a duke; From Walpole to Pelham; Frederick, Prince of Wales; La Trappe; Henry Pelham; The duke of Newcastle; Chaos; The end of the reign; Dodington’s last years. There are illustrations.
“Mr Lloyd Sanders puts with ease what the usual maker of research states heavily, and the confusions of politics for forty years up to 1762 become almost agreeable in his animated narrative.”
+ Ath p1285 D 5 ’19 1400w
“Casual references to Dodington abound in the political histories and studies of social life of the eighteenth century. It must have been a source of regret to those who study this period that no intimate material regarding Dodington has been procurable. Mr Sanders’s volume fulfills this want. Besides, a man that Robert Browning parlayed with for more than 300 lines is well worth attention.”
+ N Y Times 25:241 My 9 ’20 1350w
“If it be easier, as Mr Lytton Strachy assures us, to live a good life than to write one, Mr Lloyd Sanders deserves not only praise but gratitude for presenting us with his admirable monograph on Bubb Dodington. If we have a complaint to make of Mr Sanders it is that he repeats the common saying that Bubb was a wit, but gives us no specimens.”
+ Sat R 128:487 N 22 ’19 1150w
“A good biography of a second-rate man often throws more light on the period in which he lived than a biography of a great man, who is necessarily exceptional and abnormal. We should recommend any one interested in the early Georgian era to read Mr Lloyd Sanders’s witty and scholarly memoir of George Bubb Dodington, who was a typical eighteenth-century politician.”
+ Spec 123:660 N 15 ’19 1500w + − Springf’d Republican p8 Ja 24 ’20 150w (Reprinted from The Times [London] Lit Sup p779 D 25 ’19) + The Times [London] Lit Sup p632 N 6 ’19 80w
“Bubb’s biographer is not biassed in his favour. He makes a cold, exhaustive investigation of the career of a place-hunter when Walpole ruled the roost and every man had his price, and he is successful in every respect save one. He cannot make a picturesque ill-doer of his hero. His story constitutes not so much a page of eccentric biography as a quaint footlight to the rather squalid politics of George the Second.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p779 D 25 ’19 2150w
SANDES, EDWARD WARREN CAULFEILD.[[2]] In Kut and captivity with the Sixth Indian division. il *$10 Dutton (*24s Murray) 940.472
(Eng ed 20–656)
“Major Sandes has written an interesting book on the earlier phase of the war in Mesopotamia. Major Sandes was attached to the Sixth Indian division, under General Townshend, which formed the main portion of Sir John Nixon’s expeditionary force. He was in charge of the bridging train which followed the army up the Tigris. He describes the capture of Kurna, the rapid advance up to Amarah, the battle of Es Sin, where the Turks offered a strenuous resistance, the occupation of Kut, and the fatal advance upon Baghdad which ended at Ctesiphon. He gives a full narrative of the retreat, which was most skilfully conducted, and relates the history of the five months’ siege of Kut. After the surrender in April, 1916, he was taken to Asia Minor, and remained at Yozgad till Turkey capitulated a year ago.”—Spec
“It is likely to remain for some time a classic on the heroic stand of the Kut garrison and the awful sufferings they subsequently endured.” R. C. T.
+ Ath p912 S 19 ’19 1050w
“Depressing as it must needs be, the undauntable spirit which it shows, the endurance, simplicity, modesty, lift this book into the class of great siege narratives and give it high place among the first-hand records of great military disasters. And so, for all its unconscious concreteness and scattered masses of detail, it gives in the end that purging of the spirit which Aristotle assigned to high tragedy.”
+ Review 3:380 O 27 ’20 800w
“Major Sandes is rigidly objective; he sets down plain facts and leaves his readers to rely on their own imaginations. We are not sure, all the same, that his story of Kut is not rendered more remarkable by his resolute avoidance of fine writing.”
+ Sat R 128:343 O 11 ’19 950w
“The story of the siege of Kut is well told by Major Sandes.”
+ Spec 122:544 O 25 ’19 1400w
SANDWICH, EDWARD GEORGE HENRY MONTAGUE, 8th earl of. Memoirs of Edward, Earl of Sandwich, 1839–1916. il *$7 Dutton
(Eng ed 20–442)
“The ‘Memoirs of Edward, eighth earl of Sandwich, 1839–1916,’ have been edited by Mrs Steuart Erskine from the material which Lord Sandwich himself collected from old diaries with the object of publishing his autobiography. Besides the intimate pictures provided of society at home and abroad, of state visits to Berlin and St Petersburg, of missions to Fez, and travels in many lands, the story is told of his experiences in spiritual healing and other psychical phenomena which became his dominant interest towards the end of his life.”—Boston Transcript
Ath p1139 O 31 ’19 170w Boston Transcript p9 Jl 12 ’19 80w
“Such material as is found in these selections from the diary not only furnish valuable matter for the historian, but it reveals the personality of the diarist, and thus makes very interesting and enjoyable reading for those who delight in following the movements, personal and social, of human beings.” F. W. C.
+ Boston Transcript p4 Ag 28 ’20 850w Brooklyn 12:133 My ’20 40w
“So varied a life clearly presented opportunities for an interesting book. We cannot say, however, that Mrs Steuart Erskine has been altogether fortunate in her materials. Lord Sandwich’s wit in conversation vanishes when he tries to commit it to paper. He intended to write his biography, but here we only get it in the raw, so to speak.”
+ − Sat R 128:367 O 18 ’19 750w
“The value of these memoirs lies in the picture they afford of a typical representative of a long-established order now apparently in the throes of dissolution.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p527 O 2 ’19 1050w
SANGER, MARGARET H.[[2]] Woman and the new race. *$2 (4½c) Brentano’s 176
20–15159
In his preface to this book Havelock Ellis says that its contents are already as familiar as A B C to the few who think, but to the millions and to the handful of superior persons whom the millions elect to rule them, they are not familiar, yet it is a matter of vital importance to the race that they should be. The reason why is clearly set forth in the book which is a plea for a free and voluntary motherhood. The chapters are: Woman’s error and her debt; Woman’s struggle for freedom; The material of the new race; Two classes of women; The wickedness of creating large families; Cries of despair; When should a woman avoid having children? Birth control—a parents’ problem or woman’s? Continence—is it practicable or desirable? Contraceptives or abortion? Are preventive means certain? Will birth control help the cause of labor? Battalions of unwanted babies the cause of war; Woman and the new morality; Legislating woman’s morals; Why not birth control clinics in America? Progress we have made; The goal.
Freeman 2:310 D 8 ’20 440w
“Calm, temperate, informed, sound, and winning book.”
+ Nation 111:597 N 24 ’20 400w
“While Mrs Sanger’s book contains nothing new to students of the subject, it is an excellent summary of the arguments for voluntary motherhood. In several instances, however, she overstates her case.” B. L.
+ − Survey 45:706 F 12 ’21 260w
SANGER, WILLIAM CARY, jr. Verse. *$1.50 Putnam 811
20–10004
The poems of this volume are arranged under the headings Tides of commerce (Verse of the railroad); The city of toil and dreams; Miscellaneous poems; With the armies of France; Additional war poems, 1918: In the land of the harvest. Most of the poems are reprinted from earlier volumes by the author and the original prefaces to these volumes appear in an appendix.
Reviewed by R. M. Weaver
Bookm 52:64 S ’20 40w + Boston Transcript p6 Jl 17 ’20 730w
SANTAYANA, GEORGE.[[2]] Character and opinion in the United States; with reminiscences of William James and Josiah Royce and academic life in America. *$3.50 Scribner 304
20–26993
“Mr Santayana, who was professor of philosophy at Harvard, has now come to live in Europe. In this book he looks back with intimate knowledge and complete detachment at the intellectual life which he has left. He is, he says, an American only by long association.” (The Times [London] Lit Sup) “The book is a keen, kindly analysis of American life, particularly of the more subtle mental attitudes. It seems to centralize around a conception of the American character as vigorous, hopeful, good, somewhat childish; hampered intellectually by conventional prohibitions and compulsions; and devoted to a liberty based on cooperation and the spirit of live and let live.” (Booklist)
+ Ath p724 N 26 ’20 1350w + Booklist 17:95 D ’20
“In ‘Character and opinion in the United States,’ Professor Santayana has written what one is inclined to believe will become the classic essays on William James and Josiah Royce.... What must he think of America? On the whole, his answer to this question is an extraordinarily kindly one. When he is most perceptive, he gives his generalizations amiably rather than scornfully.” Harold Stearns
+ Freeman 2:378 D 29 ’20 3450w
Reviewed by Alvin Johnson
New Repub 24:221 O 27 ’20 1600w
“A compelling, stimulating, and essentially a significant book. The book itself is a unique essay in interpretation, an attempt to evaluate American character under the play of the ideas which it has projected and by which, in turn, it has been influenced.” L. R. Morris
+ Outlook 126:729 D 22 ’20 2450w
“On the whole he is eminently fair, if not more than fair, in his judgments. It is another question whether there is much profit in such an attempt as he has made to analyze the temper of a people.”
+ − Review 3:625 D 22 ’20 400w
“Professor Santayana has written one of the most fascinating books imaginable.”
+ Spec 126:19 Ja 1 ’21 1500w
“The book is a very original one; indeed, the two chapters on William James and Josiah Royce belong to a new genre of literature. They are character-studies of philosophers, studies of the reaction between character and philosophy, which ought to be dull but are as amusing as if he were talking scandal about the manners and habits of fashionable ladies. His book is one of the best he has written.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p775 N 25 ’20 1850w
SANTAYANA, GEORGE. Little essays, drawn from the writings of the author by Logan Pearsall Smith, with the collaboration of the author. *$3 Scribner 814
20–26891
“Mr Pearsall Smith explains in his preface that this book owes its genesis to his habit of copying out such passages as particularly interested him in the writings of Santayana. He came to see, however, that these extracts ‘were bound up with, and dependent upon, a definite philosophy, a rational conception of the world and man’s allotted place in it, which gave them a unity of interest and an importance far beyond that of any mere utterances of miscellaneous appreciation—any mere “adventures of the soul.”’ He therefore persuaded Mr Santayana to arrange these extracts in such a way as to preserve their original connection as far as possible.”—Ath
“We confess that we are agreeably surprised at the result. The masterful and inclusive vision of the author of the ‘Life of reason’ appears here broken and disconnected, but not betrayed.” J. W. N. S.
+ Ath p143 Jl 30 ’19 1500w
“Contains a vast amount of interesting material distilled from profound scholarship and meditation.”
+ Booklist 17:49 N ’20 Bookm 52:368 Ja ’21 130w
“Any one who has a taste for short essays will find a good feast provided for him. While the essays can well hold their own as detached disquisitions on special subjects, they form a catena of thought which hangs logically together, exposing a rational philosophy. Indeed it has been said that George Santayana has imperiled the recognition of his philosophy by the fine robes in which he has consistently presented it.” Robert Bridges
+ Dial 69:534 N ’20 5000w Nation 111:221 Ag 21 ’20 1300w
“A new immortal book.” P. L.
+ New Repub 25:321 F 9 ’21 2650w
“I believe that this publication will accomplish two things: it will establish Mr Santayana’s reputation as one of the foremost masters of English prose now living, and it will persuade many readers to buy the complete works from which these essays are drawn.” W: L. Phelps
+ N Y Times p8 Ag 22 ’20 3050w
“It is a notable book. Professor Santayana possesses charm of style; that merit must be accorded to him by his worst enemy, if enemy he has. His culture is broad, and his mind is discursive, touching in its range many points of metaphysics and art and literature and morals.”
+ Review 3:346 O 20 ’20 1350w
“Short though the pieces may be, they are, as a rule, brief only through extreme compression, and the great beauty of the style in which they are written links them together rather than divides them. Hidden in the book there lurks the exposition of a theory of life.”
+ Spec 124:239 Ag 21 ’20 800w
“Even if his philosophy does not satisfy us, we must enjoy his art. If we cannot believe that he tells us the truth about the nature of the universe, he tells us many incidental truths about the nature of man.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p573 S 9 ’20 2500w
SARETT, LEW R. Many many moons; a book of wilderness poems. *$1.50 Holt 811
20–6453
Of these poems on Indian themes the author says that they “are in no sense literal translations of original utterances of aboriginal song and council-talk; they are, rather, very free, broad interpretations ... in the light of Indian symbolism and mysticism, of the mythology and superstition involved, and of the attendant ceremonies.” (Preface) This is especially true of Parts I and III of the poems, and an appendix of expository comments has been added to make them clearer to the reader. Part II consists of nature poems giving the atmosphere of the Indian’s environment. The book has an introduction by Carl Sandburg and the three parts are: Flying moccasins; Lone fires; Chippewa monologues.
“A book of beautiful, rugged verse.”
+ Booklist 16:306 Je ’20
“Mr Sarett makes one understand the Indian. We understand the Indian in relation to his thoughts, moods, his customs, his legends, his symbolism, his natural mysticism. With the poet’s full equipment, he has psychologically become an Indian and thus his interpreter to the outside world. ‘Many many moons’ is a remarkable book!” W: S. Braithwaite
+ Boston Transcript p8 My 8 ’20 2300w + Cleveland p86 O ’20 50w
“Noise clearly is his forte; heap big Indian talk is his best line. The pale-face stanzas which attempt quieter and tenderer sorts of interpretation are vacant and over-facile in their faith.” M. V. D.
− + Nation 110:856 Je 26 ’20 120w
“He does not prettify the wilderness. Especially good are ‘The granite mountain’ and ‘God is at the anvil’ and ‘Of these four things I cannot write.’”
+ N Y Times 25:193 Ap 18 ’20 120w
“When Mr Sarett writes of nature he is writing with genuine feeling of something he really knows. He has been in the wilderness.” M. Wilkinson
+ N Y Times p18 Ag 8 ’20 290w
SAROLEA, CHARLES. Europe and the league of nations. *$2.50 Macmillan 341.1
“This book by Professor Sarolea of the University of Edinburgh is, as its title implies, devoted principally to the league of nations, although there are chapters of interest on other subjects. The author warmly supports the league as a panacea for the ailing world.” (N Y Times Mr 14) “He takes up a number of problems growing out of the treaty of peace and out of the league covenant such as The status of small nations within the covenant, America within the league, The trial of the kaiser, The future of Poland, Germany’s political reconstruction. The author expresses great dissatisfaction with the economic terms of the treaty.” (N Y Times Ap 18)
N Y Times 25:117 Mr 14 ’20 600w N Y Times 25:196 Ap 18 ’20 120w
“Dr Sarolea’s book is excellent in temper and spirit, but its sentimental idealism is unrestrained by the realities of present-day politics.”
+ − Sat R 129:252 Mr 13 ’20 1300w
“‘Europe and the league of nations’ cannot be described as a weighty book, but it is fluently and brightly written.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p23 Ja 8 ’20 300w
SASSOON, SIEGFRIED. Picture-show. *$1.50 Dutton 821
20–3705
“The contents of the volume, in spite of its suggestive title, are not wholly given over to the sidelights, fevers and fantasms of modern warfare. Almost one third of the book is a record of those passages of love which verge from the physical to the metaphysical; reflections of an emotion that is half-celebrated, half-stifled.”—New Repub
+ Booklist 16:235 Ap ’20
“Every last utterance of Siegfried Sassoon’s makes a farce out of the deeds of the romantic soldier-poet the world has worshipped during the last five years.” W. S. B.
+ Boston Transcript p11 Ap 24 ’20 1550w
Reviewed by Malcolm Cowley
Dial 68:621 My ’20 1600w
“He knows the secret of the clean pentameter, he is distinct and clever and casual; yet there exists no feelable personality behind his lines. It is not required that he have intellectual drive or spiritual mounting-power: it merely is required that he show some sort of intellectual edge and awareness. He does that nowhere in ‘Picture show.’” M. V. D.
− + Nation 110:855 Je 26 ’20 160w
“Now we have ‘Picture show,’ a vigorous answer to those who feared that Sassoon had ‘written himself out’ or had begun to burn away in his own fire. The same outrage and loathing of war is in the new poems but a darker restraint is here; an emotion remembered not so much in tranquility as in irony. One of the most rousing of his recent poems. Aftermath, might well be the title of this volume, so firmly does it balance and round off his trilogy.” L: Untermeyer
+ New Repub 22:37 Mr 3 ’20 950w
“There is a mass of the verse that is heavy and halting—far too large a mass for so small a book. More careful pruning hereafter will lift the worth of his collections amazingly.” Clement Wood
+ − N Y Call p10 Je 20 ’20 250w
“In this book Mr Sassoon describes warfare just as he did in his two earlier books. But the last lyric in ‘Picture-show,’ [Every one sang,] is, perhaps, the very loveliest of all the songs written to welcome peace.”
+ N Y Times 25:194 Ap 18 ’20 140w
“Mr Sassoon sometimes is as shaken in his expressions as in his emotion, and then he is apt to write as though art could not contain him. But every poet must learn that no man feels too deeply or too quickly to write well.... At its best here is a proud, tender poetry, indignant often but magnanimous always, the creation of a loving and aristocratic art.” J: Drinkwater
+ − N Y Times 25:235 My 9 ’20 1550w
“When it comes to sheer poetry, I find in Mr Sassoon but two outstanding merits, a feeling for phrase and a sense of the occult, both present in the degree which redeems verse from insignificance without lifting it to distinction.” O. W. Firkins
+ − Review 2:520 My 15 ’20 220w
SAUNDERS, CHARLES FRANCIS. Useful wild plants of the United States and Canada. il *$3 McBride 581.6
20–26546
The purpose of the book is to call attention to certain useful wild plants, growing in the woods, waters and open country of the United States, that have in the past formed an important element in the diet of the aborigines and that could be both interesting and useful to dwellers in rural districts, to campers, vacationists and nature students. It is copiously illustrated by photographs and line drawings and the contents are: Wild plants with edible tubers, bulbs or roots; Wild seeds of food value and how they have been utilized; The acorn as human food and some other wild nuts; Some little regarded wild fruits and berries; Wild plants with edible stems and leaves; Beverage plants of field and wood; Vegetable substitutes for soap; Some medicinal wildings worth knowing; Miscellaneous uses of wild plants; A cautionary chapter on certain poisonous plants; Regional index and general index.
+ Booklist 16:304 Je ’20
SAUNDERS, MARSHALL. Bonnie Prince Fetlar. *$2 (2½c) Doran
20–18408
The hero of this new story by the author of “Beautiful Joe” is a Shetland pony, and there are many other characters, both animal and human. The scene is a Canadian farm to which the pony and his master, a delicate boy with over-strung nerves, are sent. Neither likes the strange, wild country at first but in time both come to love it, the young master’s health is restored, he makes new friends with a family of six lively Canadian children and in the end the mother he had believed dead returns to him. All this story is told in the words of the pony.
“The author of ‘Beautiful Joe’ has written a horse story which friends of Beautiful Joe will be disappointed in. But after all, comparisons are unnecessary—and ‘Bonnie Prince Fetlar,’ left to itself, is an attractive book, full of incident and interest.”
+ − Ind 104:378 D 11 ’20 70w N Y Evening Post p25 O 23 ’20 60w
“It is hardly necessary to say that here is an offering which any healthy boy or girl must enjoy, but to this it may be added that also it makes a strong appeal to grown-ups.”
+ N Y Times p23 D 12 ’20 270w
SAVI, ETHEL WINIFRED. When the blood burns. *$2 (1½c) Putnam
20–22037
Marcelle was a typist in a London office. Her beauty attracted her employer and his charming personality easily persuaded the inexperienced girl that she loved him; also—since he was married to a much older woman who would not hear of divorce—that it was right for her to go away with him to India. The monotony of the life there soon palled on David and he is glad, eventually, of the summons back to England. Marcelle, left behind, suffers untold miseries and excruciating experiences, and is finally rescued by the one friend who has stood by her from the first and who takes her home as his wife. The interesting feature of the story is its description of life in India.
Ath p698 N 19 ’20 150w
“It is a very old situation upon which E. W. Savi bases her story. She gives it no new twist, but she infuses into it so vital a sense of reality that it draws us and holds us keenly interested in its developments. She possesses the story-telling art in a very marked degree, and her story is full of both the beauty and strangeness of genuine romance.” D. L. M.
+ Boston Transcript p4 S 29 ’20 2000w
“The author hero has been content to tell a plain, somewhat sordid, tale of illicit love, with its inevitable penalties, which has little more color than can be found in the records of the average divorce suit. None of the characters commands much sympathy. As a whole, the offering may be called just a passable novel.”
− + N Y Times p22 S 19 ’20 500w
“The scenes which pass in India are much the most interesting.”
+ Spec 125:782 D 11 ’20 50w
“The story has a certain sympathetic charm with a moral that cannot be missed.”
+ Springf’d Republican p9a O 3 ’20 220w
“Despite a great deal of burning talk about love and passion, the story leaves one quite cold.”
− The Times [London] Lit Sup p686 O 21 ’20 120w
SAWYER, RUTH (MRS ALBERT C. DURAND). Leerie. il *$1.75 (2½c) Harper
20–13146
“Leerie” was what the patients at the “San” lovingly called their nurse Sheila O’Leary, and like Stevenson’s “Leerie,” she brought light into the lives of her charges as no other nurse could. Especially to Peter Brooks, she brought light which they both felt could never die out. Then just on the very eve of her marriage to him, she felt the call to go to France, and went. But she did not leave him behind for he too found his place over there. There, after her period of service which offered experiences both bitter and sweet, they were reunited, “glad they had both paid their utmost for the love and happiness that she knew was theirs now for all time.”
“Somewhat sentimentalized and improbable, but women and girls will like it.”
+ Booklist 17:74 N ’20
“The book contains the correct philosophy of life throughout, showing that happiness comes from making others happy, from giving freely.”
+ Cath World 112:408 D ’20 210w
“A vivacious story, with plenty of sentimental appeal and written with a good deal of cleverness and ingenuity, Ruth Sawyer’s new novel springs lightly out of the conventional lines of fiction and goes its own gait.”
+ N Y Times p28 Ag 15 ’20 400w Wis Lib Bul 16:196 N ’20 70w
SAYLER, OLIVER M. Russia white or red. il *$2.50 Little 947
19–18648
For descriptive note see Annual for 1919.
+ Booklist 16:200 Mr ’20
“The author took with him his best gifts as critic—a quick eye, ready critical discernment, and an easy pen. He added to these gifts something of the historian’s grasp of the unity of events. The result is a quite unusual freshness and lucidity in the view we get of the Russian theatre.” T: H. Dickinson
+ Bookm 51:492 Je ’20 850w
“The value of his account is in its freedom from political interest. Without prejudice toward either white or red but with sympathy for the struggles and sufferings of both sides, he simply relates what he observed of the surface and common movement of things.”
+ Nation 110:597 My 1 ’20 200w
“‘Russia white or red’ is free of any taint of propaganda, and among a torrent of writings full of distorted pictures of revolutionary Russia, it stands out as a truthful and honest if by no means profound contribution.” M. J. Olgin
+ New Repub 22:426 My 26 ’20 2000w
“Altogether, the book reveals a sympathetic understanding of the Russian masses, and an appreciation of their yearnings for freedom and peace. It does not pretend, however, to be a serious treatise on the fundamental changes which have come about since the revolution.” Alexander Trachtenberg
+ Socialist R 8:250 Mr ’20 320w
“It is neither a complete record nor an interpretation of events, and will appeal primarily to those who may still be interested in getting the background of revolutionary events and vivid glimpses of daily living during the first months of the Bolshevist régime.” Reed Lewis
+ − Survey 44:53 Ap 3 ’20 100w
SAYLER, OLIVER M. Russian theatre under the revolution. il *$2.50 (3½c) Little 792
20–692
The author chose the winter of 1917–1918, while the Bolshevik revolution was in progress, for a study of the Russian theatre. It was a time when the theatre had not significantly survived either in England or France or even in neutral New York and war had revealed it as being only too clearly a luxury, a pastime and an industry. But the Russian theatre is one of profound introspection and inspiration. “Out of their sorrows the Russians have builded all their art. And in the days of their profoundest gloom, they return to it for the consolation which nothing else affords.” In Moscow and Petrograd, the author testifies, the modern theatre has been carried to its finest achievement. Among the contents are: Plays within a play; The world’s first theatre; The plays of Tchehoff at the Art theatre; From Turgenieff to Gorky at the Art theatre; The Russian ballet in its own home; The deeper roots of the Russian theatre; The Kamerny, a theatre of revolt; Meyerhold and the theatre theatrical; Yevreynoff and monodrama; Russian theories of the theatre. There are numerous illustrations and an index.
Booklist 16:194 Mr ’20
“Interesting and remarkable book. It is a valuable contribution to the literature of the theatre.” N. H. D.
+ Boston Transcript p6 Ag 4 ’20 800w Cleveland p32 Mr ’20 170w
“A book so eager, so cordial, so intelligent, so frankly the expression of a personal appetite that one would like to think of it as typical of a new dispensation.”
+ Freeman 1:70 Mr 31 ’20 280w + − Nation 110:596 My 1 ’20 1250w
“He seems overstimulated by the shock of strangeness and the pervading atmosphere of idealism and experiment so different from the atmosphere of Broadway. Nevertheless, his book is tonic for the knowledge it brings us of theatrical theories, experiments and striking achievements in a land which is far ahead of ours so far as the theater is concerned.” W. P. Eaton
+ − N Y Call p10 My 2 ’20 420w
“The author presents his material in such a way that not only will those interested in the theatre be attracted to it, but also those who are drawn to the puzzling topic of the Russian revolution.”
+ N Y Times 25:303 Je 6 ’20 500w + Outlook 124:563 Mr 31 ’20 60w
“His sincerity is unquestionable but his temper runs to hyperbole. In spite of all doubts and deductions, Mr Sayler’s book should be read by all students of contemporary drama. If it is not a striking history, it is a spirited and curious novel.”
+ − Review 2:259 Mr 13 ’20 420w
“A comprehensive and graphic account.” Reed Lewis
+ Survey 44:53 Ap 3 ’20 80w
“It cannot be recommended too highly when considered merely as a source of knowledge and inspiration to those who are organizing our theatre guilds, Greenwich Village theatres, arts and crafts playhouses, and other steps toward a native art theatre. The casual reader will find the chapters absorbing with a human appeal quite lacking in most books about the theatre; but the same reader will meet something of a jolt when he reaches the last chapter—for here are gathered in concentrated form (and often in darkly philosophical terms) the most recent of revolutionary theories of the stage. A handful of Americans will find these few chapters worth more than all the rest of the book together—worth more, too, than scores of the usual superficial books of criticism.”
+ Theatre Arts Magazine 4:173 Ap ’20 700w
SCHAEFER, CLEMENS T. Motor truck design and construction. il *$2.50 Van Nostrand 629.2
20–991
“This volume has been written to fill a pressing want; to give a practical discussion of the gasoline propelled commercial car of the present type, and to present this subject in the plainest possible manner by the use of numerous illustrations.” (Preface) A chapter on the general layout of the chassis is followed by chapters devoted to the various details, engine, cooling system, carburetion, ignition systems, etc. The illustrations number 292, consisting largely of figures in the text. There is an index.
Booklist 16:229 Ap ’20 (Reprinted from Pratt p21 Ja ’20) N Y P L New Tech Bks p33 Ap ’20 100w Pratt p21 Ja ’20 50w (Same as Quar List New Tech Bks O ’19) Quar List New Tech Bks O ’19 50w
SCHAUFFLER, ROBERT HAVEN. Fiddler’s luck. *$1.90 (3½c) Houghton
20–9475
Being “the gay adventures of a musical amateur.” (Sub-title) The young son of a family in which the flute was hereditary finds a cello in the garret and sets about to teach himself. He is sent to a musical cousin for his education and returning, as a fairly well equipped fiddler, has a falling out with his puppy love, Priscilla, because her progress on the piano has not kept pace with his, and she plays an ear-splitting fortissimo for his accompaniment. After many musical vicissitudes in the army he comes unexpectedly on Priscilla in Paris. She no longer strums but is a finished pianist and the harmony is now complete.
+ Booklist 17:36 O ’20 + Boston Transcript p6 Je 30 ’20 1200w
“One of the most thoroly enjoyable books—whether you are a musician or not—that you have read in a long, long while.”
+ Ind 103:442 D 25 ’20 170w Lit D p94 S 18 ’20 2750w
“‘Fiddler’s luck’ is full of love, laughter, music and good drink. It is worth a ton of best sellers and ‘serious studies’ in these melancholy days that are upon us.” B. De C.
+ N Y Times p22 Ag 8 ’20 800w
“‘Fiddler’s luck’ is a charming series of war sketches that Mr Schauffler tries to make impersonal, but his own engaging personality sparkles through the sketches.”
+ Springf’d Republican p8 Je 30 ’20 170w
“A cheerful vein of optimism is in evidence continually, and its influence on the reader will be anything but depressing.”
+ Springf’d Republican p11a Jl 11 ’20 220w Wis Lib Bul 16:196 N ’20 120w
SCHAUFFLER, ROBERT HAVEN.[[2]] White comrade; and other poems. *$1.50 Houghton 811
20–19672
Poetry in many forms and in many moods is represented in this volume: the ballad, the ode, the lyric, the sonnet, thoughts of this life and of the beyond, of the country, of love and of war. They fall into four groups: Between two shores; Magic casements; Conflict; and Other poems.
“Out of all the book—and it contains much which repays reading and re-reading—there is nothing which more fully satisfies the high poetic mood than does the little poem called ‘Worship,’ as lovely and distinguished a bit of verse as Mr Schauffler has ever given us.” D. L. M.
+ Boston Transcript p3 D 18 ’20 520w
SCHEM, LIDA CLARA (MARGARET BLAKE, pseud.). Hyphen. 2v *$6 Dutton
20–17964
“The book is really a pamphlet masquerading as a novel, and it offers an analysis of the state of mind and fundamental character of the large German element in the United States, and also a vision of the ideal of American democracy as it appears to a thoroughly un-English observer. Her hero is presented as a personification of acquired Americanism. The son of a Prussian-American father and a Nihilist Russian princess, he is conceived as a synthesis. Brought up in a wholly German environment (Hoboken is thinly disguised as Anasquoit), the boy aspires to become a ‘real American.’ Curiously enough, and yet convincingly, he gets the strongest stimulus toward Americanism from a young Englishman. The war disillusions him as to German kultur, and he concludes that the only way out for those of German blood who truly aspire to Americanism is to ‘go and fight Germany.’”—Review
“The story is very rich in material, a novel to be read slowly and thoughtfully for it contains a wealth of contemporary opinion and criticism. It is a colossal work and yet it is human.” D. L. Mann
+ Boston Transcript p4 Ja 19 ’21 1200w
“Excellent in parts, it is dismally unsatisfactory as a whole; rich in promise, it is a triumph of frustration. The author, apparently, drew the plans for an imposing work of fiction, but as the business of construction proceeded she became so engrossed in ornamental details and features of dubious importance that she mislaid her drawings.” B. R. Redman
− + Nation 112:88 Ja 19 ’21 520w
“Complicated, and presenting many divergent points of view, the book is nevertheless full of repetitions. It impresses one as a kind of storehouse in which the author has stowed away a number of opinions on a number of subjects; the story merely provides a sort of makeshift for these opinions. There is no artistry shown in its construction.”
+ − N Y Times p22 O 31 ’20 1150w
“It is especially interesting to those who are concerned about the Americanization of immigrants, because it shows so clearly what the reactions of the newcomers are to the influences which begin to surround them almost as soon as they set foot in their new country.”
+ N Y Times p10 Ja 16 ’21 900w
“Regarded merely as fiction, ‘The hyphen’ would be of small moment. The book’s chief interest lies in its minute portrayal of many and variant types of German-Americans both before and during the war.”
+ − Review 3:506 N 24 ’20 540w
SCHINZ, ALBERT. French literature of the great war. *$3 (2c) Appleton 840.9
20–8608
The author distinguishes three periods in the war literature of France between 1914 and 1918. “The first was one of spontaneous, sudden and strongly emotional reaction, following immediately the first bewildering shock; the second, one of documentation on the causes of the war and on the war itself; and the third, a period of calm philosophical consideration of all that was involved in the gigantic struggle.” (Introd.) Although the lyric and satirical note predominated in the first period, memoir literature in the second, and philosophical essays and treatises in the third, no period can be said to have produced one type of literature to the exclusion of all others. The contents of the book fall into two parts, part 1 discussing in successive chapters the three periods and part 2 containing: Poetry of the war; The stage and the war; War-time fiction; Epilogue. The appendices contain a bibliography; documents relative to the war; and a catalogue, in alphabetical order, of some of the best war diaries and recollections. There is an index.
+ Booklist 17:23 O ’20
“The French literature of the late war is very adequately discussed by Professor Schinz. The chief defect of his treatise is a tinge of partisan feeling, somewhat out of place in work of this kind, and his attack of Romain Rolland is hardly just.” C. K. H.
+ − Boston Transcript p8 Je 19 ’20 300w
“A very interesting and scholarly account.”
+ Cath World 112:267 N ’20 280w
“The scholarly orderliness and completeness of Mr Albert Schinz’s ‘French literature in the great war’ contrast glaringly with its temper. He prefers polemics to poetry. Instead of writing the history of a literary movement which is memorable even if not great, he still is battering the Teutonic hordes with the familiar accumulation of civilian energy unspent on any other field.”
+ − Nation 110:861 Je 26 ’20 280w
“We consider the work, as a whole, timely and important. It must have been the labor of love, for no other motive could have produced a result so eminently satisfactory.”
+ N Y Times 25:13 Jl 18 ’20 950w + Review 3:110 Ag 4 ’20 400w + Springf’d Republican p8 Ag 12 ’20 650w
“He is quite prodigiously well read in French war literature. But unhappily there is hardly any criticism in the book, nothing profound, nothing illuminating, nothing very thoughtful even—except for a few passages—and none of those fortunate phrases by which the real critic ‘gets at’ the significance, the vitals, so to speak, of the work he is discussing.”
− + The Times [London] Lit Sup p686 O 21 ’20 580w
SCHLEITER, FREDERICK. Religion and culture. *$2 Columbia univ. press 201
19–9320
For descriptive note see Annual for 1919.
“Dr Schleiter has given us a critique of method which not only challenges modern methods and theories but deliberately drives them all from the field, some more gently than others.... As a preparation for a methodology—a destruction of methods to make way for method—Dr Schleiter’s work deserves the serious attention of all workers in the field of origins, social and religious, and may well be the most significant work of recent years.” A. E. Haydon
+ Am J Theol 24:293 Ap ’20 850w
“On page after page the false assumptions, the blundering reasoning, and the erroneous conclusions that have hitherto characterized comparative religion are laid bare with a detachment of judgment and a wealth of erudition that make the book a model of criticism. Dr Schleiter has put out of action a good many of the heavy guns that were to batter the walls of the citadel of religion.”
+ Cath World 111:393 Je ’20 400w
“Dr Schleiter, though an acute critic, is not a lucid writer, and his work is critical rather than constructive.”
+ − Nature 105:451 Je 10 ’20 260w
“He deserves special credit for rescuing from obscurity the principle of convergence, i.e., the doctrine that like cultural results may evolve from unlike antecedents. However, it is the more original treatment of casuality that not only arrests attention but makes one hunger for more.” R. H. L.
+ − New Repub 21:364 F 18 ’20 600w
“The book is a signal illustration of two characteristic features of American thought—the tendency to concentrate on what authorities have written about a subject rather than on the subject itself, and the neglect to cultivate any grace or clarity of literary style.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p91 F 5 ’20 100w
SCHMAUK, THEODORE EMANUEL. How to teach in Sunday-school. (Teacher-training handbook) $1.50 (2c) United Lutheran publication house 268
20–3582
A book devoted to the art, the method, the material and the act of Sunday-school teaching. The author suggests that for a short and effective teacher-training course chapters 20–22 (comprising the discussion of the act of teaching) be used. For a more comprehensive course the sections devoted to method and material are suggested. The author is professor of pedagogy in the Theological seminary at Philadelphia and has had “twenty-five years’ experience in Sunday-school reconstruction.”
SCHOFF, WILFRED HARVEY.[[2]] Ship Tyre. il *$2 Longmans 224
20–18184
The dooms of the ship “Tyre” and of the “King of Tyre” as pronounced in the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth chapters of the book of the prophet Ezekiel are here shown to be entirely symbolic and the material things mentioned to refer not to any real commerce but to matters of a political and religious significance. According to the sub-title, the ship “Tyre” is “a symbol of the fate of conquerors, as prophesied by Isaiah, Ezekiel and John and fulfilled at Nineveh, Babylon and Rome.” Contents: Introduction; The tabernacle; Division of spoil; The temple and palace; Ophir voyages: Profanation and pillage; Captivity; The ship “Tyre”; The prince of Tyre; The king of Tyre; Notes to the allegory; The second temple; The great city “Babylon”; The Holy City; The pomp and the trappings; Precious stones; The specifications compared; Date of the tradition; Appendix; Index.
+ Boston Transcript p3 N 27 ’20 420w + N Y Times p23 Ja 16 ’21 240w
SCHOFIELD, ALFRED TAYLOR. Modern spiritism. pa *$1.25 Blakiston 134
“Dr Schofield, a student for over thirty years of psychological problems, and a rather copious writer upon them, especially from the medical point of view, gives an instructive review of the history of spiritism, and of its modern developments, and discusses, with many examples from his own experience and with an open mind, the strange phenomena of ‘possession,’ ‘second sight,’ etc. His own position is that, while the facts of spiritism cannot all be explained by purely human agencies, communications with ‘spirits’ are certainly not with the disembodied spirits of the dead. He regards spiritism as practised today to be full of the gravest dangers, mental and spiritual, and to be definitely anti-Christian.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
Ath p93 Ja 16 ’20 60w
Reviewed by B: de Casseres
N Y Times 25:189 Ap 18 ’20 180w + Springf’d Republican p13 F 1 ’20 80w (Reprinted from The Times [London] Lit Sup p783 D 25 ’19)
“The author’s argument is trenchantly expressed and is supported by evidence. But the fact that he has a religious belief of his own to uphold against the beliefs of the spiritists somewhat weakens his argument.”
+ − Springf’d Republican p9a Ag 29 ’20 750w + The Times [London] Lit Sup p783 D 25 ’19 120w
SCHOFIELD, WILLIAM HENRY. Mythical bards, and The life of William Wallace. (Harvard studies in comparative literature) *$3 Harvard univ. press 821.09
20–9501
“This is primarily a discussion of the authorship of the metrical fifteenth century life of the Scottish patriot (d. 1305), which is ascribed to ‘Blind Harry.’ Mr Schofield contends that ‘Blind Harry’ is a pseudonym, and that the biographer was no quiet scholar or amiable ecclesiastic like Barbour, but ‘a vigorous propagandist, a ferocious realpolitiker without principle when it was a question of Scotland’s place in the sun.’ The writer diverges from this problem to chapters on ‘Blind Harry and blind Homer,’ and on Conceptions of poesy which occupy the last two chapters.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
“It is all readable enough and often not uninteresting: whether it proves anything must be left to the reader to decide.”
+ − Ath p761 D 3 ’20 450w
“Every page of it betrays the author’s enjoyment of an opportunity to build a huge structure of learning around—a soap bubble.”
− Boston Transcript p6 Jl 21 ’20 950w
“In general, ‘Mythical bards’ is marked by the broad scholarship and the keen vision of literary problems which have always been the chief characteristics of the author’s work.” T. P. Cross
+ Mod Philol 18:53 Ag ’20 1200w
“Like most of Prof. Schofield’s books this shows originality as well as the result of deep research, with an undoubted power of holding the attention of the reader.”
+ Springf’d Republican p8 Je 30 ’20 120w The Times [London] Lit Sup p706 O 28 ’20 100w
SCHOLEFIELD, GUY HARDY. Pacific, its past and future, and the policy of the great powers from the eighteenth century. il *$5.50 Scribner 990
(Eng ed 19–8578)
“Mr Scholefield, a New Zealander, adds materially to our knowledge. There is a growing tendency, on wholly right and sound lines, to treat of the vast Pacific ocean as a single unit. ‘The Pacific: its past and future’ is a short political history of the Pacific from the first days of European exploration and intrusion, excluding in the main the history of Australia and New Zealand, but by no means excluding their Pacific aspirations and policy. The appendices contain selections of the principal treaties and conventions relating to the Pacific, and a chronological table. The maps are adequate, the last being a map of the whole ocean.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
“His book is illuminative and opportune.”
+ Ath p351 My 16 ’19 300w + Booklist 16:238 Ap ’20
“There are numerous books on the subject of the Pacific and its problems, but in none will be found so careful and discriminating an account of the past history as is here given. It is based mainly on the British parliamentary papers, and, though the author has strong views, he shows himself commendably free from exaggeration or prejudice.” H. E. E.
+ Eng Hist R 35:157 Ja ’20 240w Review 3:254 S 22 ’20 400w
“Mr Scholefield’s narrative is well arranged and most interesting.”
+ Spec 123:219 Ag 16 ’19 180w
“Mr Scholefield has spared no pains in consulting the best sources of information, and gives chapter and verse for his authorities. In a book of 311 pages, excluding appendices, he has produced a clear, well-arranged, temperate and accurate account, which was wanted and will be used and valued.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p331 Je 19 ’19 1400w
SCHOLL, FRANK B. Automobile owner’s guide. il *$2.50 Appleton 629.2
20–14778
“The purpose of this book is to serve as a practical guide for those who own, operate, or contemplate purchasing an automobile. The contents cover the entire field that would be of value to the owner or chauffeur in making his own repairs.... Technical terms, tables and scales have been entirely eliminated.... Since there are many different makes of cars, motors, and equipment, the functional action of all is practically the same, therefore we use for illustration only those which are used by the majority of manufacturers.” (Preface) An introductory chapter gives the history of the gasoline engine and of early automobile construction. The parts of the automobile are then taken up chapter by chapter and a Ford supplement of sixty pages occupies an appendix. There are 154 illustrations and an index.
N Y P L New Tech Bks p61 Jl ’20 50w + R of Rs 62:336 S ’20 60w
SCOTT, ARTHUR PEARSON. Introduction to the peace treaties. *$2 (2½c) Univ. of Chicago press 940.314
20–7755
The book is an attempt at an altogether impartial statement of the causes leading to the war, and the treaties and peace conference resulting from it. The author states that he has no inside knowledge of what went on in Paris or of any unpublished documentary material, that he has relied largely on newspaper and magazine material, unsatisfactory as that may be, and that his object is to give his readers a clearer idea of what is going on in the world. “A considerable part of the book is taken up with a detailed summary of the treaty with Germany, including more or less extensive explanatory comments on many of its clauses,” (Preface) and an attempt has been made to summarize as fairly as possible the arguments on both sides. Contents: War causes and war aims; Peace plans and negotiations during the war; The peace conference; The framing of the treaty of Versailles; The supplementary treaties; The Austrian settlement; The Bulgarian settlement; Hungary; Elements of the Near-eastern settlement; Italy, the South Slavs, and the Adriatic; Public opinion and the settlement; References for additional reading; Index.
“Mr Scott’s book is an excellent illustration of the value of perspective combined with careful study of documents, as opposed to the impressions of first-hand observation. It seems to the reviewer that he has succeeded admirably in a difficult task.” C: Seymour
+ Am Hist R 26:137 O ’20 320w
“The author’s comments are discriminating, unbiassed, and always helpful.”
+ Am Pol Sci R 14:737 N ’20 100w
“A useful aid to the reader or voter who wishes to form intelligent opinions.”
+ Booklist 16:332 Jl ’20 + Ind 103:187 Ag 14 ’20 100w
“Though the author escapes the criticism of partisanship to which Keynes, Dillon, Baker, and other commentators on the peace have been subjected, his book lacks the interest and color of theirs. A good many of the author’s comments upon treaty clauses might be questioned.” Quincy Wright
+ − Mississippi Valley Hist R 7:165 S ’20 480w
“A volume which may be especially commended to students and teachers.” W: MacDonald
+ Nation 111:247 Ag 28 ’20 100w
“Professor Scott’s ‘Introduction to the peace treaties’ should prove an invaluable volume to students of the great settlement. Not all of Mr Scott’s conclusions can be passed without challenge. For the most part, however, Mr Scott has done his work extremely well and it was work worth doing.” E. S. Corwin
+ − Review 3:70 Jl 21 ’20 280w
“If the question of treaty ratification is to be one of the leading issues of the coming presidential campaign, this book will prove an invaluable source of information.”
+ R of Rs 61:669 Je ’20 120w
SCOTT, CATHARINE AMY DAWSON. Rolling stone (Eng title, Against the grain). *$2 (2c) Knopf
20–13696
Harry King is an unusual boy. He is uncommonly well built and strong and active. He does his own thinking in his own way, has little use for books and the conventions, is direct and honest to a fault in his dealings with men and a little hard. But he saves a school-fellow’s life at the risk of his own. At an early age he runs away from school and sees a bit of the world and on his return learns a trade and becomes a practical engineer. But youth and strength lure him on: he becomes a foot-ball champion and a pugilist. When his family frowns upon such fame he goes to India. Returning, he enlists as a volunteer in the Boer war where his love of fair dealing leads to insubordination and he barely escapes the firing squad. Later on in New Zealand his experiences include women. He is not averse to making a fortune and plans for the future, but his innate restlessness plays with opportunities and at the age of thirty-five he is back in England, without a career and looked upon askance by his family. The reader leaves him possessed with a new craving for a settled life, a family and children of his own and haunted by the hazel eyes of a young widow.
“Mrs Dawson-Scott has created in Harry a notable character, though not a likeable one. Mrs Dawson-Scott has not the resource of style to fall back on, and her descriptive powers are not of the best. As it is written ‘The rolling stone’ is an excellent example of masculine psychology as seen by a woman. It is not an excellent portrait of a man.”
+ − Boston Transcript p4 Je 2 ’20 420w
“If the book has no weaknesses neither has it passion or exaltation. If it is not absurd neither is it poignant, exotic, or brilliant. It moves steadily onward, never wandering; it is competent, well-fed, without beauty of conception or expression. It is realism without passion or accuracy.”
+ − New Repub 23:261 Jl 28 ’20 440w
“A minute and interesting study of character.”
+ N Y Times 25:70 F 8 ’20 950w
“In her latest work she has elected to adopt a masculine standpoint, and we feel that she is, as a result, less convincing.”
+ − Sat R 128:322 O 4 ’19 300w
“As Harry is interested merely in himself, he is not very interesting to other people. In fact, he proves himself real not by his doings—about which one is sceptical—but by boring the reader just as in real life he would have bored the people he met.”
− The Times [London] Lit Sup p514 S 25 ’19 600w
SCOTT, EMMETT JAY. Negro migration during the war; ed. by D: Kinley. *$1 Oxford; pa gratis Carnegie endowment for international peace 326.1
20–9134
In this volume of Preliminary economic studies issued by the Carnegie endowment for international peace, the movement of population among negroes during the war is handled by Emmett J. Scott, a member of that race and secretary-treasurer of Howard university. The introduction compares the recent migration with earlier movements of similar character. The chapters then take up: Causes of the migration; Stimulation of the movement; The spread of the movement; The call of the self-sufficient North; The draining of the black belt; Efforts to check the movement; Effects of the movement on the South; The situation in St Louis; Chicago and its environs; The situation at points in the middle West; The situation at points in the East; Remedies for relief by national organizations; Public opinion regarding the migration. There is a nine-page bibliography of books and periodicals, followed by an index.
+ Cleveland p91 S ’20 30w
“This monograph is a valuable addition to the limited number of carefully made studies of negro life. The oversight of data about the investigations and activities of several state governments, of the United States Shipping board and the Department of labor, needs correction in subsequent editions. Constructive suggestions would add to the utility of the study.” G: E. Haynes
+ − Survey 44:639 Ag 16 ’20 290w
SCOTT, JAMES BROWN, ed. Judicial settlement of controversies between states of the American union; an analysis of cases decided in the Supreme court of the United States. *$2.50 Oxford 353.9
20–6766
This volume of the Publications of the Carnegie endowment for international peace is a companion to the two volumes of cases which precede it. It has been prepared in the belief that the experience of the United States holds “a lesson for the world at large.” As the editor’s preface states: “The experience of the union of American states shows that a court of justice can be created for the society of nations, occupying a like position and rendering equal, if not greater, services, applying to the solution of controversies between its members ‘federal law, state law, and international law, as the exigencies of the particular case may demand.’” The volume is indexed.
Reviewed by J. P. Hall
+ Am Hist R 26:345 Ja ’21 1100w
“Dr Scott has rendered a most useful service in bringing this material into such form that men can readily lay their hands on it.”
+ Am Pol Sci R 14:167 F ’20 450w
“The absence of any classification enhances the uselessness of the volume. By abstracting from its setting the material he presents, Dr Scott offers a delusive palliative to a sick and suffering world. He would have done better had he done nothing.” T: R. Powell
− Nation 111:329 S 18 ’20 1000w
“A lucid and detailed analysis which may be read with interest by laymen.”
+ Spec 124:86 Ja 17 ’20 200w
SCOTT, MARTIN J. Credentials of Christianity. $1.50 (2½c) Kenedy 239
Father Scott, author of “God and myself,” “The hand of God,” etc., writes this book in the belief that “Christianity has not failed, but mankind has failed Christianity.” The one thing that can save the world from disaster is “the adoption in private and public life of the principles and spirit of Christianity.” Contents: Christianity the most startling innovation in the history of the world; Christianity’s need of the soundest credentials; A judicial examination of the credentials; The gospels as a historic document; The truth of the gospel facts; The resurrection; The establishment of Christianity; Christ Himself; Christ and the world; The world after Christ; Christianity and men of genius; The world restorer; Your verdict.
“The best pages are those that contrast pagan and Christian life—the world before Christ and after.”
+ Cath World 111:820 S ’20 390w
SCOTT, SIR PERCY MORETON. Fifty years in the royal navy. il *$6 (7c) Doran
20–205
These reminiscences were begun, the author states, after his retirement, by way of recreation and amusement, yet he hopes that they will show “how opposed the navy can be to necessary reforms, involving radical departures from traditional routine; the extent to which national interests may be injured owing to conservative forces within, and without, the public services; and what injury the country may suffer from politicians interfering in technical matters, which they necessarily do not understand.” (Preface) Contents: Entry into the navy; A cruise around the world; With the naval brigade in Egypt; H.M.S. Edinburgh and Whale island; H.M.S. Scylla and gunnery; How the 4.7–inch gun reached Ladysmith; Martial law in Durban; In the Far East; The Boxer rising; Gunnery on the China station; Wei-hai-wei and the cruise home; Gunnery muddle; Inspector of target practice; H.M.S. Good Hope with the channel fleet; An imperial mission; Vicissitudes of director firing; My retirement from the navy; War—back to work, 1914 and 1915; The defence of London against zeppelins; War reflections—1915–1917.
“This, book is a grave pronouncement by a distinguished expert in gunnery, and should receive the attention which it assuredly deserves.”
+ Ath p1274 N 28 ’19 440w
Reviewed by C. C. Gill
+ Bookm 51:274 My ’20 1450w
“Altho more sober and restrained in style, Sir Percy Scott’s book is quite as critical in substance as Lord Fisher’s.”
+ Ind 103:185 Ag 14 ’20 80w
“A work of value to anyone interested in the technique of naval gunnery.”
+ N Y P L New Tech Bks p17 Ja ’20 80w + Outlook 126:768 D 29 ’20 200w
“Apart from opinion on professional matters, the narrative of these recollections is rather unequal. We get too much of ‘the mayor in proposing the toast of “our guests” referred,’ etc., and ‘in reply I said,’ etc.”
+ − Sat R 128:536 D 6 ’19 1000w
“We associate the name of Sir Percy Scott with naval gunnery. It is no surprise, then, to find that his memoirs are mainly devoted to this question. The book deserves careful reading, for the subject is of prime importance.”
+ Spec 123:694 N 22 ’19 1750w
“His book is to be carefully read, not without skipping over shrewish passages here and there, but with thought.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p639 N 13 ’19 2000w + Yale R n s 10:437 Ja ’21 880w
SCOVILLE, SAMUEL, jr. Blue pearl. il *$1.75 (3c) Century
20–17413
This story introduces all the characters of “Boy scouts in the wilderness.” Jim Donegan, the lumber king, offers to give the boys $50,000 if they will bring a blue pearl like the one Joe Couteau, the Indian boy, remembers to have seen in his childhood. Joe and Will Bright, the heroes of the earlier book, with two chosen companions, start on the quest. It takes them out to the Pacific coast and into the far north to the old home of Joe’s people, and after many adventures they return with the prize.
+ Bookm 52:262 N ’20 20w Lit D p99 D 4 ’20 70w
Reviewed by Hildegarde Hawthorne
+ N Y Times p8 D 12 ’20 120w
“This is a story of some literary value.” H. L. Reed
+ Springf’d Republican p7a N 28 ’20 110w
SCOVILLE, SAMUEL, jr. Everyday adventures. il $3 (4c) Atlantic monthly press 590.4
20–19518
A book of nature essays, most of them describing personal adventures with birds or other forms of wild life. The photographs which illustrate the book are especially noteworthy. Contents: Everyday adventures; Zero birds; Snow stories; A runaway day; The raven’s nest; Hidden treasure; Bird’s-nesting; The treasure hunt; Orchid hunting; The marsh dwellers; The seven sleepers; Dragon’s blood. The papers are reprinted from the Atlantic Monthly, Yale Review, the Youth’s Companion, and other periodicals.
“In these papers he proves himself among the fortunate few who can be called interpreters of outdoor things.”
+ Boston Transcript p6 Ja 8 ’21 150w + Review 3:345 O 20 ’20 120w + Wis Lib Bul 16:234 D ’20 40w
SCHRIMSHAW, STEWART.[[2]] Bricklaying in modern practice. il *$1.50 Macmillan 693.2
20–4712
“The author, who is Supervisor of apprenticeship for the state of Wisconsin, has written more inspiringly than his title suggests. He would have the artisan appreciate his possible opportunities in the erection of buildings that ‘shall reflect in their appearance the character of a substantial and refined people.’ The first chapter, largely historical, shows that lumber scarcity is leading to a wider use of brick and that opportunity is not lacking. Materials, tools and the outlines of practice are described. Estimating, safety and hygiene, economics, the bricklayers’ relation to the public, trade organizations, and apprenticeship are discussed in a way to interest the boy or young man who leans toward the trade. The ten pages descriptive of fire-place construction should appeal to many a lay reader. A good glossary.”—N Y P L New Tech Bks
+ N Y P L New Tech Bks p41 Ap ’20 120w Pratt p19 O ’20 40w
SEAMAN, AUGUSTA HUIELL (MRS ROBERT R. SEAMAN). Crimson patch. il *$1.75 (4c) Century
20–14215
Mrs Seaman’s latest mystery story for girls involves a German spy plot. Patricia Meade is staying in a large hotel with her father, who is on a secret government mission. He can not disclose his business to her and she unwittingly allows an important paper to be stolen. Suspicion falls on Virginie de Vos, the little Belgian girl with whom Patricia has made friends. Patricia refuses to believe the girl guilty, and with the aid of Chet Jackson, the bell boy, sets out to find the missing paper. The two suspect one of the waiters, but he proves to be a friend in disguise. The paper is restored, the mystery of Virginie and her relation to her supposed aunt, Mme Vanderpoel is disclosed and happier days dawn for the little Belgian. The story has been running as a serial in St Nicholas.
SECHRIST, FRANK KLEINFELTER. Education and the general welfare; a text book of school law, hygiene and management. il *$1.60 Macmillan 370
20–4978
“Professor Sechrist has prepared a general introduction to the study of education. One of his early chapters deals with broad social facts such as illiteracy and Americanization of immigrant children. He also deals with the efforts of the federal government to subsidize education in the states and to promote the development of higher institutions. The third chapter treats the costs in the different states of conducting schools of various grades. The fourth chapter has to do with child labor, reviewing the legislation which has been attempted and the effects of this legislation. Following these introductory chapters there is a discussion of the material equipment of the school and the psychological characteristics of children. One chapter deals with the question why children are dull and reviews the medical facts which come out in inspections of school children. There are chapters of a psychological type and suggestions throughout of the possibilities of standardizing the work of the school in a scientific way.”—El School J
“Of the many educational books recently published this is one of the best and deserves the attention of all teachers and school supervisors.”
+ Boston Transcript p7 Jl 10 ’20 110w + El School J 20:712 My ’20 400w
“By his title and subtitle Professor Sechrist describes a rather unusual combination of material, presented in a valuable way.”
+ School R 28:555 S ’20 170w
SECRIST, HORACE. Statistics in business: their analysis, charting and use. il *$1.75 McGraw 310
20–4489
“A concise, practical, and systematic treatment, more particularly for the use of business executives and students in schools of commerce. Chapter 4 deals with classification and tabulation; chapter 5 (pp. 42), with graphics; chapter 6, with averages and kindred terms.”—Am Econ R
“The book will be serviceable as an introductory text.”
+ Am Econ R 10:388 Je ’20 40w
“No city official or head of a department or a business man who has an annual report to make can afford to miss the suggestions contained in Mr Secrist’s book.”
+ N Y P L Munic Ref Lib Notes 7:35 O 13 ’20 100w
“The particular methods explained by Mr Secrist are not new; but they are presented with commendable clearness and brevity.”
+ Survey 44:291 My 22 ’20 110w
SEDGWICK, ANNE DOUGLAS (MRS BASIL DE SÉLINCOURT). Christmas roses, and other stories. *$2.25 (2½c) Houghton
20–21186
The titles of these stories are: Christmas roses; Hepaticas; Daffodils; Pansies; Pink foxgloves; Carnations; Staking a larkspur; Evening primroses; Autumn crocuses; and in each there is something in the delicately complicated situation or in revelation of character of which the flower is a symbol. The stories are all English in background and reflect the war.
“Quiet delicacy of style and subtle character analysis mark these nine flower-named stories.”
+ Booklist 17:160 Ja ’21
“Her understanding of character, her appreciation of beauty in all its forms, her ability to work quietly and effectively, yet with dramatic intensity, all make up the sum total of the satisfaction which we find here.” D. L. M.
+ Boston Transcript p8 Ja 29 ’21 580w
“With her happy choice of words and smooth rhythm of her style, the artistry is invisible, yet produces a telling effect. The characters and temperaments of her people are implied and evolved, not labelled.”
+ Springf’d Republican p5a Ja 30 ’21 480w
SEDGWICK, ANNE DOUGLAS (MRS BASIL DE SÉLINCOURT). Third window. *$1.50 (10c) Houghton
20–10315
The setting of this story is the parental estate of a soldier killed in the war, and in it his young widow, Antonia, his maiden cousin, Miss Latimer, of contracted but acutely intensified vision, and Captain Saltonhall, the husband’s friend and now Antonia’s lover. Miss Latimer, whose entire limited emotional life had been concentrated on her cousin Malcolm, has succeeded in putting Antonia in an agonized frame of mind. The latter is torn by misgivings that, by marrying Saltonhall, she will be unfaithful to her first husband. By certain telepathic powers Miss Latimer obtains a knowledge of the unspoken thoughts in the two lovers’ minds and with it conjures up a vision of Malcolm’s sorrowing ghost standing by the fountain (seen from the third window of the drawing-room). The result is a tragedy, for the distressed Antonia takes an overdose of her sleeping powders.
Ath p736 Je 4 ’20 850W Booklist 16:350 Jl ’20
“Few writers of fiction today can equal in perfection of style the work of Anne Douglas Segwick. But ‘The third window’ has an intrinsic interest as a story.” F. A. G.
+ Boston Transcript p4 Je 9 ’20 1200W + Cleveland p70 Ag ’20 120w
“It is a welcome relief to find, among the flood of books that exploit the present interest in psychic phenomena, one that is both an artistic piece of work, and a sincere attempt to penetrate beneath the usual morbid sentimentalism of the theme to the vital problems involved in a belief in survival.” H. W. M.
+ Grinnell R 15:260 O ’20 260w
“It has much of the delicate precision of line and enhanced effect of perspective which the frame of a fine window can give to the view which it reveals. But the perfection in arrangement is not complete, and the flaws which appear come close to calling in question the validity of Miss Sedgwick’s studied placement of events and deliberate simplification. Yet even with these lapses, ‘The third window’ keeps a singular and exquisite beauty.” C. M. R.
+ − New Repub 24:101 S 22 ’20 680w
“Her characters are drawn with deftness, delicacy and skill, the book is beautifully written in a style at once clear and subtle, and all the values of the picture are finely maintained. Yet for all its excellences it has one great flaw, a defect at the very root of the argument. The reader cannot but believe that Antonia’s fondness for Malcolm was a very superficial thing, since she was not only willing but even anxious so quickly to put another man in his place.”
+ − N Y Times 25:292 Je 6 ’20 800w
“Somber in theme, the story is written with exquisite delicacy and grasping strength.”
+ Outlook 125:431 Je 30 ’20 80w
Reviewed by H. W. Boynton
Review 3:110 Ag 4 ’20 180w
“The redeeming features of the book are its truth to English life and its brevity. It may be added also that the delineation of the characters, such as they are, is quite skilfully done but there is nothing in the book as a whole which the world could not spare without any great sense of loss.”
+ − Springf’d Republican p11a Ag 1 ’20 130w
“So tense and subtilized is the atmosphere of Mrs de Sélincourt’s story that we fear to breathe lest we should break its charm. Indeed, the story is its atmosphere. It seems to emanate from and surround its characters like the perfume of flowers. Yet they affect us at length as if they were mere automata.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p301 My 13 ’20 950w
“The story is told with fine artistry and will appeal to discriminating readers with a taste for mental analysis.”
+ Wis Lib Bul 16:196 N ’20 140w
SEGUR, SOPHIE (ROSTOPCHINE) comtesse de.[[2]] Old French fairy tales. il *$5 Penn
20–19079
“An octavo with full-page plates, both in color and in black and white, by Virginia Frances Sterrett, is ‘Old French fairy tales,’ compiled by Comtesse de Segur.” (Springf’d Republican) “The titles are: Blondine, Bonne-Biche, and Beau-Minon; Good little Henry; Princess Rosette; The little grey mouse and Our son.” (Booklist)
+ Booklist 17:127 D ’20
“These tales are told in that simple and direct fashion that children love and older folk find good. And the illustrations are in truth among the loveliest that have ever translated fairy tale into fairy scene.” Hildegarde Hawthorne
+ N Y Times p4 N 28 ’20 210w + Springf’d Republican p10 D 17 ’20 80w
SEIFFERT, MARJORIE ALLEN (ELIJAH HAY, pseud.). Woman of thirty, and Poems of Elijah Hay. *$1.50 Knopf 811
19–19879
This is vers libre that sings. There is elusive beauty, the sweet and the bitter of life, and the wistfulness of passing youth. The opening piece is a morality play: The old woman, in which the new that makes place for the old is but the old in disguise. The poems are divided into Love poems in summer; Studies and designs; Interlude; Love poems in autumn; and the Poems of Elijah Hay.
Booklist 16:272 My ’20
Reviewed by H: A. Lappin
+ Bookm 51:214 Ap ’20 100w
“The trouble with ‘A woman of thirty’ is its lack of synthesis. Colour and a free movement, subtleties of thought and rhythm are here, but they have not been integrated: they ravel out into many unconnected loose ends.” L: Untermeyer
+ − Dial 68:535 Ap ’20 160w
“The poems are sophisticated and a little cynical. She writes free verse naturally, unaffectedly and effectively.”
+ − Ind 104:65 O 9 ’20 130w
“Her figures, elaborate and excellent as they are, do not penetrate that core of the memory which lives on tranquilly and forever.” M. V. D.
+ − Nation 111:248 Ag 28 ’20 80w
“Almost one wishes that Mrs Seiffert could produce some disassociation in her personality. Then she might give us, besides the poems that are all too human, much more about the harsh black birds flying in the design—more in the style of that odd and very memorable little morality ‘The old woman.’ These are poems that evidence intellectual conception.” Padraic Colum
+ − New Repub 25:54 D 8 ’20 150w
“It must be admitted that in her failing Mrs Seiffert is better than many who achieve their limited successes; but the dominant overtone is an attempt at a deft sophistication, which can never quite conceal that it is the sophistication of rural Illinois, rather than the sophistication of Chicago, London.” Clement Wood
+ − N Y Call p10 Mr 28 ’20 500w
“Mrs Seiffert writes equally well in free verse and in regularly stressed rhythm. Her work is remarkable for a felicitous ease in expression and a great variety of interests and ideas.”
+ N Y Times 25:193 Ap 18 ’20 180w
SELIGMAN, V. J. Salonica side-show. il *$4 Dutton 940.42
“There are four parts to the book, of which the first and last were written in Macedonia during the summer of 1918. Beginning with a description of the Seres road which was of the greatest importance for the British line of communications and on which the writer ‘can really claim expert knowledge’ after spending two years in various camps by its side, he proceeds to give amusing accounts of life behind the front among the British Tommies and Greek Johnnies.... The second part, which explains the events that led to the final offensive of September 15 to September 30, 1918, and gives an account of the battle itself with more details regarding the Anglo-Greek attack at Doiran, will prove of greater value to the historic mind.”—Review
“Mr Seligman’s book embodies a considerable amount of information regarding the expedition, and is printed in a clear and readable form.”
+ Ath p932 S 19 ’19 80w
“There is a harmonious combination of humorous anecdote and serious study expressed in an easy but by no means slipshod style. Equally entertaining and instructing, the book is well worth reading.” A. E. Phoutrides
+ Review 3:450 N 10 ’20 960w
“Mr Seligman treats the expedition so disconnectedly that his is a terrible rag-bag of a book. Some of his stories are excellent.”
+ − Sat R 128:366 O 18 ’19 520w
“His chapter on ‘The tragedy of Constantine’ is worth reading; nothing that he says about the allied diplomacy in regard to Bulgaria is too strong, but he errs in putting all the blame on the British foreign office.”
+ − Spec 122:411 S 27 ’19 190w
“Those who enjoyed ‘Macedonian musings’ will certainly take pleasure in ‘The Salonica side show.’”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p493 S 18 ’19 600w
SELIGMANN, HERBERT JACOB. Negro faces America. *$1.75 Harper 326
20–10771
This book is a study of the negro problem in the United States today from the friendly viewpoint of a former member of the editorial staff of the New York Evening Post and the New Republic, who is now connected with the National association for the advancement of colored people, The author discusses race prejudice at length and tries to show how many problems that most people consider to be racial are fundamentally economic and political problems. There are chapters on the negro in industry, the negro as scape-goat of city politics, and the effect of the European war upon the American negro. The Chicago, Omaha and Washington riots are explained and the Arkansas trouble of 1919 is treated under the caption “The American Congo.” There is an appendix on the Bogalusa, Louisiana, trouble by the president of the Louisiana state federation of labor. There is no index.
Booklist 17:143 Ja ’21
Reviewed by M. E. Bailey
Bookm 52:302 Ja ’21 300w + Boston Transcript p6 Je 30 ’20 1200w + Cleveland p91 S ’20 20w
“‘The negro faces America’ is the best general survey yet written on the negro in the United States. The book contains much fresh material.” M. W. Ovington
+ Freeman 1:573 Ag 25 ’20 800w
“Besides reporting unanswerable facts Mr Seligmann gives us excellent discussion of such questions as ‘social equality’ and sex relationships.” O. G. V.
+ − Nation 112:121 Ja 26 ’21 890w
“Mr Seligmann has written an interesting book, a generous, ardent piece of agitation, but its usefulness is greatly impaired by its failure to make good upon the pretences of its arrangement. The issue as to the evolutionary inferiority of the negro, which, if it was relevant at all to his purpose, deserved thorough scientific presentation, is superficially handled.” L. B. W.
+ − New Repub 24:151 O 6 ’20 800w
“Mr Seligmann is a vigorous writer, very journalistic, who interests you by the rapid flow of his thought. He has considerable power in arranging his facts, but he quotes and quotes and quotes.”
+ − N Y Times p19 Ag 8 ’20 500w
“The question is here discussed in an intelligent, fair-minded manner.”
+ Outlook 125:507 Jl 14 ’20 70w
“His book should be read by those who wish to know what negroes think and feel.” W: A. Aery
+ Survey 45:24 O 2 ’20 450w Wis Lib Bul 16:232 D ’20 90w
SERAO, MATILDE. Souls divided; tr. from the Italian by William Collinge. *$1.75 Brentano’s
20–7144
“The telling of a story by means of a series of letters is a fictional form which, though once exceedingly popular, is seldom used by modern writers. This method is employed in the new volume by Matilde Serao, the noted Italian writer. It is the hero, Paolo Ruffo, who does all the letter-writing, the lady to whom all his passionate epistles are addressed never replying to any one of them. She was an orphan, Diana Sforza, eldest daughter of an ancient house, and practically penniless. Gifted with a rarely lovely and very sympathetic voice, she won Paolo Ruffo’s heart by her singing. For a year he worshipped her, followed her about from place to place, and poured out his heart to her in a long succession of most fervent letters. Then, at last, utterly discouraged and broken, he left his native country, accompanied by the faithful sister upon whose shoulder he had wept more than once, and became a wanderer upon the face of the earth.”—N Y Times
+ Cleveland p70 Ag ’20 80w
“‘Souls divided’ is probably a better novel than the translator has managed to project, yet even with this allowance its theme and substance tend toward emotional futility.”
− + Dial 68:399 Mr ’20 50w
“The story is like a pressed flower suddenly found in the pages of a Lamartine. For a moment it gives you the nostalgia of the past. Then it crumbles.” L. L.
+ Nation 110:sup488 Ap 10 ’20 200w
“Though it is always difficult to judge of the style of a book read only in translation, ‘Souls divided’ would seem to be very well written. As far as its interest and its appeal to the reader are concerned, these will depend largely upon whether that reader is or is not a sentimental temperament.”
+ N Y Times 25:128 Mr 21 ’20 400w
Reviewed by H. W. Boynton
Review 2:434 Ap 24 ’20 540w
“The fact that the whole story, except the epilogue, is related in Paolo’s letters to Diana is bound to give it an air of unreality, since he is obliged to write her a detailed description of her own wedding. But the southern passion of the letters, though it strikes one as a little strained in our colder northern tongue, has a genuine ring about it, and the lady reader who falls under its spell will readily forgive such little improbabilities. The translation is above the average.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p689 N 27 ’19 700w
SERGEANT, ELIZABETH SHEPLEY. Shadow-shapes; the journal of a wounded woman, October 1918–May 1919. *$2 Houghton 940.48
20–20217
In this record of her hospital experiences the writer attempts to envisage “a vast, embracing, unseizable truth that was essentially our common possession. The heightened glow cast by danger and death on the faces of the young, and its fading into the rather flat daylight of survival; the psychological dislocation of armistice; the weariness of reconstruction; the shift in Franco-American relations that followed President Wilson’s intervention in European affairs; and the place of American women in the adventures of the A. E. F.” (Preface) The three parts of the book are: The wing of death; Pax in bello; The city of confusion.
+ Booklist 17:149 Ja ’21
“It is, indeed, amazing that Miss Sergeant is able to make her meagre details of vivid interest, but such is her art that she ably succeeds in holding attention throughout the pages of this novel journal.” C. K. H.
+ Boston Transcript p8 D 1 ’20 390w
“The book derives a unity from its synthesis of fragments—a shade too clinical at times, but otherwise sharply realistic and delicately expressed.”
+ Dial 70:232 F ’21 50w + Freeman 2:501 F 2 ’21 200w
“Books so concentrated, so vivid, and so sustained in their spiritual excitement rarely get written.”
+ Nation 112:123 Ja 26 ’21 170w
“How readable ‘Shadow-shapes’ is, and what is more, how full of feeling, of generosity, of the gold of human intercourse delicately essayed, of difficult things bravely thought out, of fine things appreciated, of good things described with sympathy, accuracy—this quite outweighs in my impression of it that vast excess of the sympathy over the accuracy, of the personal over the impersonal which, artistically at least, is a serious fault.” R. L.
+ − New Repub 25:268 Ja 26 ’21 1100w
“Originality is a force everywhere, and Miss Sergeant’s ‘Shadow-shapes’ is a very original volume. Miss Sergeant is an accomplished stylist, her art conceals itself. Picture after picture rises before us, in its very color, form and significance. If Miss Sergeant is supremely sensitive to the drama of minds, she is no less sensitive to the beauty of nature. Truly, every one should read this book.” Amy Lowell
+ N Y Times p10 N 14 ’20 3200w
“A book of fine perceptions, enriched by a background of feeling and intelligence.”
+ Review 3:622 D 22 ’20 820w
“Miss Sergeant has done much more than give a vivid record of hospital experiences. That indeed, although interesting, is the least part of an unusual book. The figures which Miss Sergeant draws from real life, frequently giving initials or only first names, are extraordinarily vivid and human.”
+ Springf’d Republican p8a D 5 ’20 540w
Reviewed by E. B. Moses
+ Survey 45:547 Ja 8 ’21 130w
SETON-WATSON, ROBERT WILLIAM. Europe in the melting pot. *$1.50 Macmillan 940.3
20–2792
“One of the most authoritative writers on eastern European politics here brings together a series of important papers which he has written during the war. For the most part they are reproduced from The New Europe, the weekly review which he founded in 1916 to represent the policy of himself and of those who cooperated with him. These embraced a league of nations, looking forward ultimately to all-round disarmament; support of the Slav movement; an advanced democratic programme for Russia; a federal solution for the border nations; agrarian reform throughout eastern and southern Europe; parliamentary control over foreign policy; equality of treatment for big and small nations; ‘satisfied nationalism’ as ‘the first essential preliminary to a new international order.’ A few of the papers have appeared in the Round Table or the Contemporary Review and one in the English Review. There are seven maps.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
Ath p1139 O 31 ’19 180w Boston Transcript p10 My 1 ’20 400w
“Especially well informed, competent, and obstinate in dealing with southern Europe.”
+ Dial 68:668 My ’20 50w
“The book is the work of a historian at grips with reality, and has the stamp of the best qualities of political writing.” N. C.
+ Int J Ethics 30:345 Ap ’20 180w
“The author’s history merely records diplomatic and military events. Of history as a series of processes, dependent mainly on regional economics and national tradition, he shows little conception.”
− Sat R 129:412 My 1 ’20 1200w
“His treatment of the Adriatic question in this volume seems to us unfortunate, especially in regard to Fiume.”
+ − Spec 123:623 N 8 ’19 200w The Times [London] Lit Sup p595 O 23 ’19 180w
“They are an excellent illustration of the best kind of political writing, viz., the application of genuine knowledge and settled principles to the immediate situation which from time to time presents itself.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p682 N 27 ’19 1300w
SEWALL, MRS MAY (WRIGHT). Neither dead nor sleeping; introd. by Booth Tarkington. *$2.50 Bobbs 134
20–8214
“There is a peculiar difference between Mrs Sewall’s communications with the world beyond and most of those with which the public is familiar through books without number. For she says that she found the discarnate spirits, urged and led by that of her husband, anxious to give her help and direction. The whole of Mrs Sewall’s nearly 300 pages is filled with the continuous, detailed, personal story of her intimate association and communication with these spirits. There is not much about conditions of life with them, as there usually is in books of this kind, but its place is taken instead by her account of what they did for her, what they taught her, and what she learned of their anxiety to help human beings. Their efforts in her behalf were mainly inspired, she says, by their wish to make it possible for her to give their message to humanity.”—N Y Times
“Strains certain tenets of temperate spiritualism but is brightly written and replete with interest.”
+ Booklist 17:50 N ’20 N Y Times 25:18 Jl 4 ’20 300w
“The story is told with such full detail and sincerity, all resting, too, on the character of a woman so widely and favorably known, as to make on any reader a profound impression.” Lilian Whiting
+ Springf’d Republican p11a Jl 18 ’20 1000w
SEYMOUR, HARRIET AYER. What music can do for you; a guide for the uninitiated. *$2 Harper 780
20–22166
The author holds that we need a new scheme of education which will be based upon the idea that man is his own salvation, that within himself are all the possibilities for harmony and growth. The new education must furnish the stimulus that will awaken this larger self. This stimulus is music and in this sense music is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Contents: Awakening to life through music; Melody, rhythm, and harmony; Melody; Rhythm; Harmony; Music for children; Practicing; Technique; Music for grown-ups; Phonographs and pianolas; Music and health; The philosophy of music. The appended bibliography contains three groups of book: books on psychology taking cognizance of music; biographies and books on music. There is also a list of phonograph records chosen from the catalogue of the Columbia Graphophone Company.
SEYMOUR, WILLIAM KEAN, ed. Miscellany of British poetry, 1919. *$2 Harcourt 821.08
A20–533
“This ‘Miscellany of poetry, 1919,’ is issued to the public as a truly catholic anthology of contemporary poetry. The poems here printed are new, in the sense that they have not previously been issued by their authors in book form.” (Prefatory note) Among the contributors are: Laurence Binyon; Gilbert K. Chesterton; William H. Davies; John Drinkwater; Wilfrid Wilson Gibson; Theodore Maynard; Edith Sitwell; and Alec Waugh. There are decorations by Doris Palmer.
“Mr Seymour is to be congratulated on having brought together what is on the whole a very interesting collection of verse. The list of contributors on the cover is in itself reassuring, and when we read the book we find that almost all of them are worthily represented.”
+ Ath p94 Ja 16 ’20 180w + Booklist 16:235 Ap ’20 Dial 68:538 Ap ’20 60w Nation 110:855 Je 26 ’20 180w
“Chesterton’s St Barbara ballad contains touches as magical as his Lepanto, although the sustained flight does not equal the earlier chant. Lawrence Binyon is represented by verses full of magic, Davies is his own naive self, Drinkwater is faultless and polished, Edith Sitwell is whimsically delightful, Muriel Stuart is sharply dramatic, and, best of all, W. W. Gibson appears in verses equal to his best.” Clement Wood
+ N Y Call p10 Je 20 ’20 900w
“To sum up, Mr Seymour’s book can be recommended to those who already possess collections of contemporary poetry in which poets of more modern temper are represented, or to those reactionaries who will read nothing but the most conservative verse.” Marguerite Williams
+ N Y Times p24 Ag 22 ’20 360w
“Mr Seymour has not exercised, or indeed sought to exercise, the faintest critical faculty in forming his collection.”
− + Sat R 129:391 Ap 24 ’20 950w
“There is a wholesome (one means esthetically, not morally wholesome) departure from the preciosity, the fine-spun, over-intellectual, finically phrased impressionism that was, in prewar days, the distinctly Georgian note.”
+ Springf’d Republican p10 Je 22 ’20 150w The Times [London] Lit Sup p23 Ja 8 ’20 100w + Yale R n s 10:201 O ’20 140w
SHACKLETON, SIR ERNEST HENRY. South. new ed il *$6 (4½c) Macmillan 919.9
20–1604
The book is the story of Shackleton’s last expedition, 1914–1917, undertaken to achieve the first crossing of the Antarctic continent. It failed in its object, owing to the loss of one of its ships, but, says the author: “The struggles, the disappointments, and the endurance of this small party of Britishers, hidden away for nearly two years in the fastnesses of the polar ice, striving to carry out the ordained task and ignorant of the crisis through which the world was passing, make a story which is unique in the history of Antarctic exploration.” (Preface) Contents: Into the Weddell sea; New land; Winter months; Loss of the Endurance; Ocean camp; The march between; Patience camp; Escape from the ice; The boat journey; Across South Georgia; The rescue; Elephant island; The Ross sea party; Wintering in McMurdo sound; Laying the depots; The Aurora’s drift; The last relief; The final phase. The appendices contain: Scientific work; Sea-ice nomenclature; Meteorology; Physics; South Atlantic whales and whaling; The expedition huts at McMurdo sound. There are eighty-eight illustrations and diagrams and an index.
“The volume is extremely well illustrated.”
+ Ath p1304 D 5 ’19 40w + Ath p76 Ja 16 ’20 1100w + Booklist 16:201 Mr ’20
“Sir Ernest Shackleton’s new book adds another to those priceless records of high human quality, and the story that it tells, aside from its scientific value, will have many readers who will find its pages enthralling and deeply moving.”
+ N Y Times 25:42 Ja 25 ’20 1500w + Outlook 124:291 F 18 ’20 200w
“Few modern authors have so effectively utilized the pent-up force of sturdy Anglo-Saxon monosyllables.” Philip Tillinghast
+ Pub W 97:607 F 21 ’20 480w + R of Rs 61:448 Ap ’20 260w
“Sir Ernest Shackleton’s book is written in a vigorous style.”
+ Spec 123:862 D 20 ’19 1100w
“The story of the voyage that six men made in an open boat across eight hundred miles of the roughest water in the world, to bring relief to the twenty-two companions who remained on the island, rivals the best sea tale ever written. It is good for any one to read such a narrative as ‘South!’ We see what men may be.”
+ Springf’d Republican p11a Mr 7 ’20 2500w
“The story is told simply, for the most part without much passion; but there is no need for that to hold our interest. This book, and many another like it, are written for the general reader; and the general reader (who would not read a scientific treatise if it were set before him) is rather prone to forget the scientific aspects of polar exploration. Sir Ernest Shackleton yields, perhaps too far, to this consideration.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p683 N 27 ’19 1250w
SHACKLETON, ROBERT. Book of Chicago. il *$3.50 Penn 917.7
20–19424
“To Chicago goes Mr Shackleton, after having exhausted New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. The Art institute, the clubs, the theatres, the elevated, the freight subway and the river all come in for his inspection, and Mr Shackleton has apparently gone over, under, around and through Chicago with a thoroughness that not many of its citizens would care to duplicate. Anon, he varies a charming style by telling stories, and by gallant attempts to rake up some worth-while poetry that has been written concerning the city.”—Boston Transcript
Booklist 17:151 Ja ’21 + Bookm 52:367 Ja ’21 120w
“For each matter which Mr Shackleton has not set down, there are a dozen that he has. Mr Shackleton is always interesting.” G. M. H.
+ Boston Transcript p2 N 24 ’20 600w + Outlook 126:690 D 15 ’20 70w
“A truly interesting and broadly conceived tribute to the much abused ‘Windy city.’”
+ R of Rs 63:112 Ja ’21 100w
“The book is far from being a catalogue of land-marks and monuments, or even of merits and faults. It gives to the city a personal quality, and to the reader a sense that here is a mass of people, living, breathing, and enjoying life.”
+ Springf’d Republican p6 D 20 ’20 250w
SHAFER, DONALD CAMERON. Barent Creighton. *$2 (2c) Knopf
20–11224
“An old time story of youthful romance and hot adventure, well seasoned ... with simple love and pleasant humor”—thus the author himself correctly describes his story. In the early forties, when the hero’s fortunes are at their lowest, an old aunt leaves him a legacy of four old keys, a box full of small gold figures of Inca gods, an undecipherable manuscript and the family estate with 5000 acres to hold in trust for his wife to be. The first three items point to family secrets all of which develop and unravel in the course of the story in quaintly romantic fashion with underground passages and chambers and hidden treasures. Of immediate interest to Barent, however, is to find a wife that is to save him from a debtor’s prison. How a wealthy land greedy neighbor of the Creighton estate offers his daughter to fill the place; how the daughter resents the bargain; how Barent tears up the contract when he finds he loves her and faces a variety of troubles instead; how the tables turn and how Ronella comes to require Barent’s help; and how the two really love each other more than gold and acres, make a fascinating tale.
“Very readable romance.”
+ Boston Transcript p4 Ag 28 ’20 350w
“This is Mr Shafer’s first novel, and it is one of considerable promise, colorful and related with no little spirit.”
+ − N Y Times p22 Ag 8 ’20 360w
“A broad vein of humor rescues the tale from melodramatic lapses.”
+ Springf’d Republican p9a O 24 ’20 220w
SHANKS, EDWARD BUXTON. People of the ruins. *$1.90 (2c) Stokes
20–17169
According to this “story of the English revolution and after,” (sub-title), the revolution broke out in 1924. During its first skirmishes Jeremy Tuft, physicist, is overtaken by a bomb while inspecting a new scientific discovery. Thanks to the new “ray” he awakens from the shock and crawls out of his hole in the ground in the year 2074 into a ruined and degenerate world. Almost all traces of our civilization are gone and the people are too ignorant and tired to restore what is left or to rebuild better. What is left is a ruling house in England, landlordism, and a degenerate industrialism in the north of England. In the ruler—an old Jew known us the “Speaker”—however, some of the old ambition survives. The form it takes to desire to reconstruct, with the aid of the oldest surviving mechanics, the onetime efficient gun. Now Jeremy Tuft is pressed into his services and the gun becomes a fact. Immediately there is war and more disaster in which the Speaker, his daughter Eva, and Jeremy, her lover, all go down to destruction together.
“The author writes entertainingly, imaginatively, and with a creative skill that makes his work pleasant if not nutritious reading.”
+ − Dial 70:231 F ’21 50w N Y Times p22 O 24 ’20 800w
SHANNON, ALASTAIR. Morning knowledge: the story of the new inquisition. *$5 Longmans 192
“For two years and a half a prisoner of war in Turkey, the author devoted nearly half of that period to the writing of this work. If, perhaps, somewhat premature as a presentment of philosophy, the book is at all events an essay at the expression of a young man’s ‘positive assurance in the value of man as a real creator.’ Beginning with negations, the author advances by degrees to the conclusions that there is ‘more in life than mechanism, and more in reason than intellect’; that intellect is ‘so formed as to grasp mechanism wholly’; and that reason is so formed as to reflect life wholly and to find for life a purpose which is not yet palpable, though psychologically evident.”—Ath
Ath p125 Ja 23 ’20 120w Cath World 111:691 Ag ’20 140w
“A very beautiful and a very sane philosophy will be found in these pages. The poetry in them has a lyrical quality reminiscent of Mr W. B. Yeats, and the prose at times glows at white heat. Although Mr Shannon’s work is uneven, and sometimes baffling, it is never commonplace.”
+ Sat R 129:373 Ap 17 ’20 490w
“The condemnation of Mr Shannon’s method lies in the obscurity of his own conclusions.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p134 F 26 ’20 760w
SHARP, DALLAS LORE. Patrons of democracy. 80c (8c) Atlantic monthly press 379
20–4555
Professor Sharp of the English department of Boston university, holds that the true end of American education is not life or the getting of a living, but “living together,” “getting-on-together.” For this purpose the higher schools and colleges are negligible and the secondary schools are everything; for all the fundamental things of life are learned by the time a person reaches his eighteenth year. The spirit of democracy is one of these fundamental things and it is a matter of education. The book, therefore, is a plea for the common school and an arraignment of the private, parochial and vocational school.
Booklist 16:263 My ’20
“The book is a witty and idealistic appeal for a truer democracy.”
+ Boston Transcript p4 Mr 17 ’20 120w + Dial 68:668 My ’20 80w
“Dallas Lore Sharp’s belief in democracy is a tonic for us all. Moreover, he has a simple and, within limits, entirely practical prescription for democracy.”
+ − Springf’d Republican p13a My 2 ’20 1050w
SHARP, HILDA MARY. Pawn in pawn. *$1.90 (*7s) (1½c) Putnam
20–8275
Julian Tarrant, a distinguished English poet, comes into a fortune somewhat late in life. He has never married and has no close kin and he one day expresses his intention of adopting a child whom he may make his heir—and then forgets all about it. But his friend, Richard Drewe, who has taken him seriously, goes to the orphanage flippantly known as the Pawn shop, and returns with a little six-year old girl. The story thereafter is concerned with the development of this child, her relations to her adoptive father and uncle, and to one other man, a younger friend of the two others. An anonymously published book of poems proves the girl to have unusual poetic talent and then the secret of her birth and parentage is revealed. The story covers the last years of the nineteenth century and the period up to and including the world war.
Ath p464 Ap 2 ’20 100w + Booklist 17:74 N ’20 Lit D p96 N 20 ’20 700w
“‘A pawn in pawn’ is an example of excellent writing, and in point of vital interest and ingenuity of plot quite out of the ordinary.”
+ N Y Times 25:30 Jl 4 ’20 500w
“It is a tale which will really give great pleasure in the reading; but its weak construction and the hackneyed coincidences which lie at the back of it must prevent its ranking very high among novels of the moment.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p202 Mr 25 ’20 120w
SHAW, CHARLES GRAY. Ground and goal of human life. (Studies in philosophy and religion) $3.50 N.Y. univ. press 171
“The problem which Professor Shaw presents and endeavours to solve is the establishment of a ‘higher synthesis’ between an individualistic egoism and a scientifico-social self-suppression. The ‘higher synthesis,’ when he arrives at it in book three, is expounded in three sections, The joy of life in the world-whole, The worth of life in the world-whole (to be found in work), and The truth of life in the world-whole (to be found rather in culture than in æstheticism).”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
“In formulating his code of ethics, Dr Shaw has succeeded in adding an illuminating and clearly written volume to the already large library dealing with the origins and values of human conduct.” L. M. S.
+ Boston Transcript p8 F 28 ’20 550w Dial 68:401 Mr ’20 60w
“Prof. Shaw’s presentation of his case is far from shallow and unconsidered—and has the inestimable merit of making no concessions to prejudices, of being absolutely unafraid. Moreover, it is a positive and too rare joy to find a book with exact footnote knowledge of the history of thought and literature.”
+ − N Y Evening Post p9 Mr 13 ’20 1350w
“It may be doubted whether this very substantial volume makes any very definite fresh contribution either practical or theoretical to its subject; and Professor Shaw is by no means free from the tendency among American philosophers to avoid clear logical exposition and to smother their thought under a heavy load of philosophic verbiage.”
− The Times [London] Lit Sup p110 F 12 ’20 180w
SHAW, FREDERICK JOHN (BROUGHAM VILLIERS, pseud.), and CHESSON, WILFRID HUGH. Anglo-American relations, 1861–1865. *$2.50 Scribner 327.73
(Eng ed 19–18602)
“‘Anglo-American relations, 1861–1865,’ deals with the causes of friction and misunderstandings between Great Britain and the United States during the trying years of the Civil war. The reasons which, for a time, gave prominence to the southern sympathies of the British ruling classes, while rendering almost inarticulate the far deeper feeling for the cause of union and emancipation among the masses of our people, are examined and explained. W. H. Chesson, grandson of George Thompson, the antislavery orator, who was William Lloyd Garrison’s bosom friend, contributes a chapter which attempts to convey an impression of the influence of transatlantic problems upon English oratory and the writings of public men.”—Springf’d Republican
“While Mr Villiers’s general presentation of national attitudes is excellent and very well worth reading in both countries, the facts of history which are brought into his narrative are unfortunately not so well understood by him.” E. D. Adams
+ − Am Hist R 25:715 Jl ’20 500w
“The whole book is instructive and very timely.”
+ Ath p93 Ja 16 ’20 100w Nation 110:436 Ap 3 ’20 420w Springf’d Republican p8 O 4 ’19 140w The Times [London] Lit Sup p655 N 13 ’19 60w
SHEDD, GEORGE CLIFFORD. Iron furrow. il *$1.75 (2c) Doubleday
20–7422
An American engineer of indomitable grit and perseverance sees possibilities in a barren tract of Arizona desert if the land is irrigated. He buys the land and sets to work in the face of the intrigues of a Mexican plutocrat, the wiles of eastern capital, his own shortage of funds, and the inclemencies of an Arizona winter. With all these troubles he still finds time to fall in love with a girl of fickle affections. The successful termination of his work on the canal is marked by the termination of his engagement by the faithless girl and the crowning of his efforts by a true woman’s love.
“It is a pleasant story in a quiet key, and is restful after the many stories where gun-play is a prominent practice.”
+ Boston Transcript p6 Je 16 ’20 300w
SHEDLOCK, MARIE L. Eastern stories and legends. *$2 Dutton 294
20–18410
An enlarged edition of a collection of stories of the Buddha published in 1910, now issued with a foreword by T. W. Rhys Davids and an introduction by Annie Carroll Moore. “In India, Prof. Davids tells us, crowds may be seen listening all night long to these tales. There are many hundreds of them from which Miss Shedlock has selected only a few, and of these we are assured that their appeal to an audience never fails. She has told them again and again, and Miss Moore, of the New York Public Library, adds her conviction of their admirable suitability for telling.”—Boston Transcript
+ Booklist 17:124 D ’20
“In rearranging and expanding this selection of stories from the Buddha rebirths, Miss Shedlock has wisely freed the book from limitations, which in the earlier edition gave it too much the appearance of a text-book to look readable.” A. C. Moore
+ Bookm 51:315 My ’20 140w
“Discriminating and valuable selection of stories.” A. C. Moore
+ Bookm 52:260 N ’20 60w Boston Transcript p4 O 23 ’20 350w + Springf’d Republican p8 N 18 ’20 150w
SHEEHAN, PERLEY POORE. House with a bad name. *$1.90 Boni & Liveright
The house was an anachronism in a part of New York that had fallen from a former grand estate. The neighborhood would have it that it was haunted. The people living in it were anachronisms and as such full of mystery. Old Nathan Tyrone and his daughter Mélissine lived in an older generation in thought, in dress, in habits. They were paragons of virtue and unworldliness, and their butler a good second to themselves. In due time Mélissine falls in love, and, about the same time, an evil woman appears upon the scene with blackmail and corruption. After the death of Mélissine’s father she insinuates herself into the house and for a time the air is dense with mystery and evil forebodings. But before so much virtue and saintliness even the wicked Belle becomes repentant and the evil mysteries she conjured up fade away. All but one, which comes to light after Mélissine’s marriage: through some estrangement between her father and grandfather, the former had been disinherited and had unwittingly been living on the bounty of the butler, the sole heir, all his life.
Boston Transcript p3 D 4 ’20 480w
“Mr Sheehan is a facile, delicate artist in the weaving of such a theme; the texture of it is excellent and his people, especially the two women, are admirably real.”
+ N Y Evening Post p11 N 27 ’20 150w
“With a slight, old-fashioned plot, little dramatic action and characters that have been worn threadbare, it still must be conceded that the lazy reader, desiring mild bookish entertainment, will find it worth while to work his way through this placid novel.”
+ − N Y Times p26 Ja 2 ’21 420w
“The mingling of love and mystery is well sustained.”
+ Springf’d Republican p5a Ja 23 ’21 210w
SHEFFIELD, MRS ADA (ELIOT).[[2]] Social case history; its construction and content. *$1 Russell Sage foundation 360
20–19858
The book belongs to the Social work series and deals with the recording of the relief workers’ cases and the purposes it subserves. The record is made with a view to three ends: (1) the immediate purpose of furthering effective treatment of individual clients, (2) the ultimate purpose of general social betterment, and (3) the incidental purpose of establishing the case worker herself in critical thinking. To expound these three ends from every point of view is the purpose of the book. It is indexed and contains: The purpose of a social case history; A basis for the selection of material; Documents that constitute the history; Composition of the narrative; The narrative in detail; The wider implications of case recording.
“‘The social case history’ is a new landmark in the profession of social case work. No one hereafter can undertake case work without first mastering the material and the method put into permanent form by this book. It does for the case record, and incidentally for certain phases of treatment, what Miss Richmond’s book on ‘Social diagnosis’ has done for investigation.” Frank Bruno
+ Survey 45:432 D 18 ’20 980w
SHEFFIELD, LYBA, and SHEFFIELD, NITA C.[[2]] Swimming simplified. il $1.75 The authors, box 436, San Francisco 796
20–9362
“The purpose of this text book is to simplify the learning and teaching of swimming from a scientific point of view. Our further objective has been to arrange a series of lessons in their logical progression to meet the demands of schools, playgrounds, clubs and aquatic centers.... A special section upon the class man-procedure for mass instruction and class management has been arranged for teachers of swimming.” (Introd.) Contents: The method of procedure in learning or teaching swimming; The beginner’s first lessons; Analysis of the various swimming strokes; Racing turn—treading water—plunge for distance; Diving; Life saving; The safety valve and the swimming and life-saving tests; Water sports; Suggestions to instructors. There are numerous helpful illustrations. The authors are teachers of swimming in the San Francisco high schools and the University of California.
SHERARD, JESSE LOUIS. Blueberry bear. il *$1 Crowell
This biography of a bear cub forms an entertaining story for children altho it belongs to the type of story in which human psychology is attributed to animals. Blueberry with his father and mother lives near the home of Farmer Green. The father is shot by one of the farmer’s men and the little bear thereafter does all in his power to take revenge. Finally the farmer’s boys make him a captive and take him home with them and he learns that his father is still alive and a prisoner. The two escape and the bear family seeks a new home in the canebrake far from the haunts of man.
SHERIDAN, SOLOMON NEILL. Typhoon’s secret. il *$1.50 (2½c) Doubleday
20–7516
John Wentworth, a bank president’s son, is suddenly stranded, when the bank fails and his father mysteriously disappears out to sea. John’s friends scent a mystery and foul play connected with the failure and send John in a wild goose chase over the Pacific in search of clues and his father. The rest is a sea yarn full of thrilling incidents which culminate in a yacht’s wild flight before a typhoon, a burning ship, a companion yacht with romance on board, and finally a restored father, a restored fortune and a bride for John Wentworth.
Booklist 16:283 My ’20
SHERINGHAM, HUGH TEMPEST. Trout fishing memoirs and morals. il *$5 (5c) Houghton 799
The author begins his fishing reminiscences with an account of eel-fishing by hand as a child of nine, newly escaped from London. But he soon found that trout fishing is the sport par excellence and that trout fishers “by-nature,” not merely because sporting fashion prescribes it, belong to the pick of humanity. Among the contents are: Early days; A little chalk stream; The fishing day; The fly question; Minnow and worms; In a Welsh valley; Weather and wind; New waters. There are illustrations.
+ N Y Evening Post p11 N 20 ’20 80w
“It is rather long drawn out, and not straight to the point.... Anyway, the angler who can’t learn something and get many new thrills from the book will not be found hereabouts.”
+ − N Y Times p19 D 26 ’20 410w
“His volume is as delightfully written as any work on angling which we have recently seen. American anglers will find themselves very much at home in the atmosphere of this work, even though it deals with unfamiliar waters.”
+ Outlook 126:689 D 15 ’20 600w + Spec 125:309 S 4 ’20 860w
“Mr Sheringham’s latest book on fishing is delightful for its humour and sound English as well as for the range of its reminiscences and its insight into the ways of trout. Its morals make it as companionable as its memories.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p395 Je 24 ’20 920w
SHERLOCK, CHESLA CLELLA. Care and management of rabbits. il *$1.25 (4c) McKay 636.9
20–14848
The purpose of the book is to set forth the commercial possibilities of rabbits and to point out to beginner and breeder alike the most economical way to success. It is intended as a handy, companionable guide on all phases of the care, breeding and management of rabbits. A partial list of the contents is: Some reasons for raising rabbits; The domesticated rabbit; The commercial breeds; The fancy breeds; The hutches; Feeding adult stock; Feeding young stock; Breeding; Utility value of rabbits; Fur farming; Pedigrees; Diseases and remedies; Appendix-handy feeding schedules. The book is illustrated.
+ Booklist 17:59 N ’20
SHERRILL, CHARLES HITCHCOCK. Have we a Far Eastern policy? with an introd. by David Jayne Hill. il *$2.50 Scribner 327
20–7581
“One-half of Mr Sherrill’s book is not suggested by its title, and deals with matters which have no political implications—with the flora of the Hawaiian islands, with Japanese umbrellas, footwear, lanterns, street games, chrysanthemum shows, and private gardens. As to whether the United States has a definite Far Eastern policy, a negative is not distinctly asserted but is clearly implied. At any rate our author presents us with one of his own which he considers worthy of adoption by our government. Shortly stated, it is as follows: That the United States should refrain from all opposition to Japan’s expansion north and west upon the continent of Asia, that is, in the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and Siberia; that, in return, Japan should agree to abandon her southeasterly development and transfer the Caroline and Marshall islands to international control or to administration by Australia; and, thirdly, that Japan, Australia, and the United States should jointly guarantee the independence of the Philippines.”—Review
+ Booklist 16:332 Jl ’20
“General Sherrill’s ten months in the East seem to have been insufficient to awaken him to an adequate sense of the intricacy of problems that with such bland simplicity he has undertaken to solve.” R. M. Weaver
− Bookm 51:632 Ag ’20 420w
Reviewed by Harold Kellock
Freeman 2:188 N 3 ’20 580w Lit D p86 Je 26 ’20 1500w
“This book, though spirited enough, lacks verity of perception, and is typical of the thanks propaganda of foreigners who visit Japan and spend their time with hospitable officials.” F: O’Brien
− + Nation 111:250 Ag 28 ’20 560w
Reviewed by W. W. Willoughby
+ − Review 2:655 Je 23 ’20 850w + R of Rs 61:669 Je ’20 100w
SHERWOOD, FREDERICK AUGUSTUS. Glimpses of South America. il *$4 Century 918
20–20207
The author knows South America well, as a business man having made several prolonged trips throughout its extent. He calls his book an informal one, covering the ground and containing information about that part of South America that a casual visitor would be most apt to visit and about which he would be less likely to get information from more formal treatises. It is compiled from notes jotted down for personal amusement and is illustrated with the author’s own photographs. It has six maps, a geographical and a general index and the text contains: The beaten track around South America; New York to Kingston and Panama; Panama and the Panama canal in war time; Down the west coast—Panama to Lima, Peru; Lima—the city of the past; Southern Peru and northern Chile; Iquique, Antofagasta and the nitrate desert; Valparaiso and Viña del Mar; Santiago—the capital of Chile; Over the Andes to the Argentine Republic; Buenos Aires—the Paris of America; Montevideo and the republic of Uruguay; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the way home.
“He gives many valuable tips about hotels, boats, and railroads in an entertaining way. His chapters on Lima and Buenos Aires are rather long, but his chatty method of writing gives charm to the volume.”
+ N Y Evening Post p13 N 6 ’20 90w
“‘Glimpses of South America’ is frankly a book of travel—and a very entertaining one—but it will prove highly educational for the man who wishes to learn something of Latin Americans, their customs, mode of living, needs and psychology.” B. R. Redman
+ N Y Times p15 Ja 16 ’21 840w + Outlook 126:470 N 10 ’20 30w
“Mr Sherwood’s characterizations of people and places are terse and vivid and he makes no pretensions to an elaborate study of any of the matters of which he treats. What he has to say is intended to be helpful to the ordinary traveler.”
+ R of Rs 62:672 D ’20 100w
“If there are traces of exaggeration, or of facetious inference, the reader, amused thereby, will not be disposed to be too inquiring. The work, as a whole, is vivid and informing—a thoroughly animated travel book.”
+ Springf’d Republican p9a O 24 ’20 660w
SHERWOOD, MARGARET POLLOCK. World to mend. *$2 (2c) Little
20–17008
The story is ostensibly the journal of a working man. He was not always thus, this son of the idle rich, of New England birth, who had lived fifty years of inactivity, addicted to theoretical speculations of a critical and analytical nature, when the European war broke out. The war brings him a sudden realization that he has been but a looker-on in life, has not been a good citizen, not in immediate touch and sympathy with his fellow men. He must act, must become a worker, must undertake a handicraft. He chooses cobbling, settles in a typical New England coast town, and gradually works himself into the confidence of his fellow townsmen and into local influence. His journal records his experiences, is full of philosophical criticism of American life and character in general, of the flaws in our democracy, of our attitude to the war before our entry into it and of the imminence of a regenerated world after the war. Our actual participation in the war fills him with satisfaction and pride and the hope of future greatness.
+ Booklist 17:119 D ’20
“Of the high earnestness of her mood there are visible manifestations. The delicate play of humor which we have so often noted in her work is absent. The poetic trend of her prose has been almost as ruthlessly stifled. Yet in spite of the handicap of abandoning two of her largest assets, the spell of the book is very strong. Miss Sherwood here as in ‘The worn doorstep’ has lived up to the magnitude of her opportunities.” D. L. Mann
+ Boston Transcript p8 O 16 ’20 1250w + Cleveland p105 D ’20 40w
“The cobbler of Mataquoit is a good thinker. He thinks through his problems, whether they be of government, economics, education, religion or sociology. He is, moreover, the master of a high style which sounds the tocsin of hope for literature in America once again.”
+ N Y Times p23 N 14 ’20 460w Outlook 126:515 N 17 ’20 60w
“Miss Sherwood has genuine literary power, and whatever she writes is worth reading from the point of view of style as well as for its subject. Miss Sherwood has spiritual insight and, looking through her eyes, we have at least a vision of how the new world should be built.”
+ Springf’d Republican p12 O 20 ’20 240w + Springf’d Republican p8 D 9 ’20 360w
SHESTOV, LEO. All things are possible. *$2 McBride 891.7
21–480
In this collection of aphorisms the author delivers himself of his reflections on life and literature. The work is translated from the Russian by S. S. Koteliansky and has a foreword by D. H. Lawrence, who sees in Shestov the final liberating struggle of the Russian psyche to shake itself free from the bondage of an alien European civilization.
“There is much that is brilliant in the book, much that is even profound. Moreover, if Hamlin Garland is right in reproaching this part of the United States with being ‘hopelessly sane,’ its influence here might be salutary. But we wonder whether a native of Iowa could be cajoled into reading beyond the first two pages. Nevertheless it is well now and then to face a defiant arraignment of the entire fabric of our civilization.” C. M. S.
+ Grinnell R 16:309 D ’20 350w
Reviewed by Stark Young
Nation 111:693 D 15 ’20 450w
“His style is clear, uncollegiate and literary.” B: de Casseres
+ N Y Times p19 O 3 ’20 1000w
“In any proper sense of the word there is not an atom of originality in the book, which is merely a decoction from Dostoyevsky and Nietzsche. To exalt Shestov as original, or as in any sense a philosopher, is mischievous nonsense. He is interesting as an illustration of the Slavonic nihilism which is capturing the fancy of so many of our half-educated modern youths.”
− Review 3:273 S 29 ’20 400w + Springf’d Republican p10 Ja 7 ’21 540w
SHOWALTER, NOAH DAVID. Handbook for rural school officers. (Riverside textbooks in education) il *$2 Houghton 379.17
20–10062
The object of the book is to stimulate the rural school officers’ interest in education. The information given is based on personal investigation of the best plans, methods and practices now in use in the best rural communities of the United States. The foreword is a creed of nine paragraphs for the school trustee or director and the ground covered in the text takes in school organization, election and work of officers, resources and finances; school sites, plants, furnishings, apparatus and decorations; selection of teachers; the daily program, home and school cooperation, and supervision; the consolidation of rural schools; manual training and home economics; the question of lunches, health education and medical inspection, and, lastly, citizenship. There are also illustrations, appendices and an index.
+ Booklist 17:15 O ’20 + El School J 21:154 O ’20 310w + School R 28:554 S ’20 210w
SHUGRUE, MARTIN JOSEPH.[[2]] Problems in foreign exchange. *$2 Appleton 332.45
The principles and methods of foreign exchange are briefly described in the introduction to the book which falls into three parts. Part 1 consists of typical problems and solutions fully worked out. Part 2 sets problems for the student to work out. They come under the headings; Sources of supply and demand; Par of exchange; Theory of foreign exchange rates; Conversions in foreign exchange; Financing imports and exports; Arbitrage transactions and finance bills; General problems. Part 3, Appendices, contains foreign exchange documents and tables for the simplification of foreign exchange calculations.
SHUTE, HENRY AUGUSTUS. Real diary of the worst farmer. il *$1.75 (1½c) Houghton 817
20–7300
The diary begins with March 10, the appearance of the first bluebird, and gives a delightfully humorous account of all the haps and mishaps of an amateur farmer’s summer, until the reader takes leave of him on November 21, meditating before his empty pork barrel—he still had his pork barrel left—after the pigs, reared with so much effort, expense and expectation, turned out to have been tubercular. He consoles himself with characteristic optimism, that, in spite of a pile of unreceipted grain bills and other debts, he now has before him the satisfying winter pleasures of milking, bedding, feeding and caring for his stock twice a day by lantern light. The book is dedicated to amateur farmers, particularly to professional and salaried men, whose love of the soil and of domestic animals takes them to the country not for the money profit that may result, but for the interest in the life for its own sake.
+ Booklist 17:74 N ’20
“Professionally I am inclined to condemn the book as a piece of deliberate manufacture by a man who knows too well that he is expected to be funny; personally I like it very well indeed.” W. A. Dyer
+ Bookm 51:686 Ag ’20 650w
“‘The worst farmer’ satisfies all expectations with its dry wit and skilfully woven humor.”
+ Boston Transcript p4 Je 9 ’20 460w + Cleveland p72 Ag ’20 50w
“The book is amusing in its way, and no doubt many amateur farmers will find their own experiences more or less accurately reflected in this ‘Real diary of the worst farmer.’”
+ N Y Times 25:236 My 9 ’20 450w Outlook 125:125 My 19 ’20 50w + St Louis 18:228 S ’20 20w
“Aside from the humor of the book one finds the author a genuine nature lover.”
+ Springf’d Republican p6 My 24 ’20 370w
SIDGWICK, CECILY (ULLMANN) (MRS ALFRED SIDGWICK), and GARSTIN, CROSBIE. Black knight. *$2 (2c) Holt
20–14287
When Michael Winter comes up with a jolt against the fact that his father is a swindler and a suicide he ships for Canada with not a friend to bid him farewell. But a compassionate young girl, noticing his loneliness, proffers her hand as a good-bye for England and cherishes the memory of her daring as her romance ever after. In Canada he roughs it with the roughest and plunges with the rashest and indeed makes a fortune but incurs a term of prison in the bargain. Free again and rich he arrives in Paris in time to rescue his unknown friend from the clutches of a wicked aunt. They marry first and he pays the piper after, to settle his own and his father’s score, and there is an interrupted honeymoon, with a happy ending.
+ − Ath p410 S 24 ’20 200w + Boston Transcript p6 N 3 ’20 150w
“The workmanship of the novel bears intrinsic evidence of its subdivision of labour. The Canadian scene is sketched with descriptive vigour, and enlivened with incident. Mrs Sidgwick, however, scarcely qualifies with her entries.” L. B.
+ − Freeman 2:165 O 27 ’20 210w
“The collaboration is only a juncture of opposites and not a mixture of complementary elements. In short, however faithful and interesting a collection of adventures the two authors may have chronicled, however successful they may have been in parts, as a unified whole their book fails because of a lack of unity in construction, in style, in character and in place.”
− + N Y Times p27 S 12 ’20 210w
“Life on the great wheat ranch, in lumber camps, and in other more conventional scenes is described with vigor, knowledge, and a certain robust sense of fun. The book holds the attention firmly.”
+ Outlook 126:201 S 29 ’20 100w
“Having been given the first innings Mr Crosbie Garstin has scored so fast and freely that the sequel inevitably partakes of the nature of an anti-climax.”
+ − Spec 125:861 D 25 ’20 500w
“A live and busy story.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p602 S 16 ’20 100w
SIEVEKING, L. DE G. Dressing gowns and glue. il *$1 Harcourt 827
(Eng ed 20–8231)
A book of nonsense verse, with drawings by John Nash. It is published “with an introduction about the verses by G. K. Chesterton and an introduction about the drawings by Max Beerbohm and something about all concerned by Cecil Palmer” and is edited by Paul Nash.
“Introductions, nonsense verses, and pictures are all alike absurd and equally delightful.”
+ Ath p986 O 3 ’19 100w
“Nonsense in its finer form will be found in the illustrations more frequently and more definitely than in the text. Captain Sieveking’s verses have got extremely pleasant qualities; some of the poems that he calls ‘examples of blatant naughtiness’ have a real charm of idea; but he is not sufficiently severe, and allows himself to go on writing when the humor of the idea has already been sufficiently illustrated.” R. E. Roberts
+ − Boston Transcript p9 O 4 ’19 1200w + Springf’d Republican p11a Je 27 ’20 320w
“There is not quite enough of this book—that is its only flaw.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p503 S ’19 520w
SIMONDS, FRANK HERBERT. History of the world war. 5v v 4–5 il ea *$5 Doubleday 940.3
v 4–5 “The fourth volume of Mr Simonds’ ‘History of the world war’ is concerned with the crucial developments of the year 1917—the German retreat to the Hindenburg line, the entry of America into the war, the Russian revolution and the treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the French and British offensives and reverses on the western front, the Italian defeat, and the aggressive submarine campaign on the part of Germany.” (R of Rs F ’20) “The fifth volume marks the culmination of his account of the allied campaigns. He tells with dramatic vividness the full story of American participation.” (R of Rs S ’20)
Booklist 16:276 My ’20 (Review of v 4)
“Here again we have, possibly displayed better than elsewhere, his fine sense of historical proportion, his superlatively dramatic style garnishing the most prosaic scientific manoeuvers, if important, with all the color of romance. He has taken critical advantage of the books by German military men published since the war.” Walter Littlefield
+ N Y Times p6 D 19 ’20 380w
“The author’s running comment and interpretation are most illuminating and instructive.”
+ R of Rs 61:220 F ’20 160w (Review of v 4) + R of Rs 62:333 S ’20 180w (Review of v 5)
SIMPSON, CHARLES TORREY. In lower Florida wilds. il *$3.50 (4c) Putnam 917.59
20–15140
“A naturalist’s observations on the life, physical geography, and geology of the more tropical part of the state.” (Sub-title) The author has been a resident of the region he describes for more than twenty years. He found it an almost unbroken wilderness in 1882, which is now rapidly and forever disappearing. “Today most of its hammocks are destroyed, the streams are being dredged out and deepened, the Everglades are nearly drained; even the pine forests are being cut down.” (Introd.) Many species of animals and plants, found only in this area, have already been exterminated. The author has thoroughly explored the territory in its virgin fecundity and describes it both as a collector and a general naturalist. Contents: The building of the land; The Florida keys; The Ten Thousand islands; Cape Sable; The south shore of the mainland; The Everglades; The planting of our flora; The lure of the piney woods; The origin of the hammocks; In the primeval forest; Along the stream; Along the mangrove shore; The open sea beach; The wonders of Ajax reefs; The secrets of the sea; The story of the land snails; The beauty of the night; The survival of the fittest. There are an index, a map, and numerous illustrations.
“The style is a curious, though pleasant, blending of the scientist’s delight in naming, describing or explaining, and the artist’s sensitiveness to vivid coloring, ethereal lights or deeps of forest.”
+ Booklist 17:28 O ’20
Reviewed by S: Scoville, jr.
+ N Y Evening Post p9 O 23 ’20 1400w
“He has written well and he has presented his material in as popular a form as was possible, but the reviewer would be failing in his duty if he did not warn the casual book-buyer of the scientific nature of this volume with so attractive a title.”
+ N Y Times p18 D 26 ’20 250w + Outlook 126:238 O 6 ’20 60w
SIMPSON, EUGENE E. America’s position in music. *$1 (14c) Four seas co. 780.9
20–9483
A brief essay in which the author points out “that America has for a long time possessed a number of distinctive elements in music which were found in no other country, therefore were inevitably American.” He traces the pioneer efforts in American music, beginning with Lowell Mason in 1821, and he takes special notice of the use made of Indian and negro themes. The chronology at the end lists over ninety American composers, with the titles of their best known works. The essay is reprinted from “Modern music and musicians,” revised edition of 1918.
“Unfortunately Mr Simpson, who means well and has much common sense, tries to write grandiloquently. It is often difficult to understand him.”
+ − Boston Transcript p6 Je 23 ’20 450w + − Survey 44:385 Je 12 ’20 180w
SIMS, NEWELL LEROY, ed.[[2]] Rural community. il *$4.50 Scribner 301
20–12477
“Regarding the present stage of rural community development as one of transition from an individualistic to a co-operative economy, it is the expressed purpose of the volume to bring together in organized form the available ‘knowledge of the past communal order, both ancient and modern, for the shaping and perfecting of the order that is to be.’ The book is divided into three parts, each comprising four chapters, each chapter presenting material from several sources so organized as to constitute a comprehensive discussion of some unit phase of the general topic. Thus, the first part treats of the Ancient community, one chapter being given to each of the following topics: The primitive village; The mediaeval manor; The village community in America; and The disintegration of the village community. Part 2 considers the modern community under the headings, The modern community defined; Types of communities; Institutions of the community; and The evolution of the community. The latter half of the book is devoted to Part 3, Community reconstruction.”—School R
School R 28:795 D ’20 450w
SIMS, WILLIAM SOWDEN, and HENDRICK, BURTON JESSE. Victory at sea. il *$5 (4c) Doubleday 940.45
20–18578
This is not a complete history of the operations of our naval forces during the great war, but an account of the submarine campaign and the means by which it was defeated. Little or nothing was made public of the anti-submarine exploits at the time of their happening owing to the necessity for secrecy. Contents: When Germany was winning the war; The return of the Mayflower; The adoption of the convoy; American destroyers in action; Decoying submarines to destruction; American college boys and subchasers; The London flagship; Submarine against submarine; The American mine barrage in the North sea; German submarines visit the American coast; Fighting submarines from the air; The navy fighting on the land; Transporting two million American soldiers to France; Appendix; Index.
“This is a very interesting book carrying with it a comprehensive and intelligent description of the submarine and anti-submarine warfare of the late war, and is by far the best yet made known to the world.”
+ Am Hist R 26:332 Ja ’21 1050w + Booklist 17:109 D ’20 Boston Transcript p4 O 27 ’20 1050w
“Among the numberless books about the war I have seen no other which is so concise and clear and which shows the march of the main events so unobscured by unessential details. From beginning to end, the reader is never left in doubt on a single point.” B. A. Fiske
+ N Y Times p4 O 31 ’20 2600w
“The most illuminating account of the war against the submarines which has yet appeared. It is a thrilling narrative, and we advise everybody to read it.”
+ Spec 125:815 D 18 ’20 1850w
“It is in the highest degree authoritative.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p847 D 16 ’20 2100w
“The telling of this story is so attractive that the book ought to have a wide popularity.” W: O. Stevens
+ Yale R n s 10:437 Ja ’21 180w
SINCLAIR, BERTRAND WILLIAM. Poor man’s rock. il *$1.90 (2c) Little
20–17084
A story of Puget Sound. Jack MacRae comes home from the war to find his father dying. In a letter left to his son the father tells the story of his youth and explains the reasons for his hatred of Horace Gower. Jack also learns that he has been robbed of his inheritance by Gower, and adding his father’s grievances to his own, he sets out to compete with the rich man in the salmon industry. As an independent buyer for his friend, Stubby Abbott, a rival canner, he makes inroads on Gower’s business and soon merits the magnate’s open hostility. In the meantime Jack has fallen in love with Betty Gower and the working out of the story involves the old tangle of youthful love thwarted by family disapproval, which in the end is triumphantly overridden.
+ Booklist 17:119 D ’20
“As a student of character, Mr Sinclair is rather clever than profound. His interest lies primarily in the story he is telling and not in its setting, and, fortunately, he has the power to make us follow that story so keenly that only here and there do we miss the background.” E. A. W.
+ − Boston Transcript p4 O 20 ’20 600w
“In the telling Mr Sinclair has revealed a strange mental combination of psychologist, economist and artist. Nevertheless, ‘Poor man’s rock’ is an interesting story of an interesting phase of American endeavor.”
+ − N Y Evening Post p21 O 23 ’20 220w
“This is by far Mr Sinclair’s best novel. There is a great deal in it that is worth while, and every page is real. The theme is handled with such a blending of strength and beauty that it falls wide of the mark of maudlin sentimentality.”
+ N Y Times p26 Ja 9 ’21 520w
“Altogether the novel is a strong piece of writing.”
+ Outlook 126:558 N 24 ’20 70w
“Taken all in all, it’s a story that moves rapidly and with a lift straight to the end.” L. M. Harbeson
+ Pub W 98:660 S 18 ’20 280w
SINCLAIR, MAY. Romantic. *$2 (4c) Macmillan
20–18389
This story of the first weeks of the war in Belgium is a psychological study of cowardice. At the opening of the story Charlotte Redhead has just broken off an episodic love affair with Gibson Herbert, her employer. The qualities that attract her in John Conway are his apparent cleanness and strength. The two work together as farm laborers for a year, maintaining a very satisfactory relationship on platonic terms. With the beginning of the war they go out, in company with two others, as an ambulance corps. And here under danger Charlotte sees John go to pieces. He welcomes the idea of danger and death, but turns tail at the reality, and at the same time develops a strain of cruelty. Charlotte gives in to the truth slowly and it is only after he has been killed, when a psycho-analytic doctor gives her the key, that she comes to understand, and so forgive, his weakness.
“It is not possible to doubt the sincerity of Miss Sinclair’s intentions. She is a devoted writer of established reputation. What we do deplore is that she has allowed her love of writing to suffer the eclipse of psycho-analysis.” K. M.
− + Ath p552 O 22 ’20 860w
“Into ‘The romantic,’ which for its greater part is scarcely anything more than a sketchy record of war-time incident, Miss Sinclair has put a curious jumble of pseudo science and pretentious psychology.”
− Boston Transcript p4 O 20 ’20 1400w
“In ‘The romantic’ the psycho-analytic purpose stands out like a framework. It is a semi-scientific study rather than a novel, missing almost entirely the effect of mixed, unguided, concrete life which belongs to fiction.” C. M. Rourke
+ − Freeman 2:429 Ja 12 ’21 450w
“Her Charlotte Redhead is new and authentic both as a type and as an individual. The implications of Miss Sinclair’s fable and analysis are of the broadest significance. It is these implications that give Miss Sinclair’s book an extraordinary intellectual suppleness and strength.”
+ Nation 111:567 N 17 ’20 600w
“A more difficult subject than this one which Miss Sinclair has chosen it would be almost impossible to find. And she has treated it sanely, admirably, with a certain clean honesty which renders it void of offense. ‘The romantic’ is a most unusual and most noteworthy book.” L. M. Field
+ N Y Times p10 O 17 ’20 1100w
“The story in all its poignant brevity has that assured touch of artistry which we have a right to expect from the author of ‘The divine fire.’” F: T. Cooper
+ Pub W 98:657 S 18 ’20 420w
Reviewed by H. W. Boynton
Review 3:650 D 29 ’20 660w
“The book is a notable achievement in psychoanalysis, and Miss Sinclair is to be congratulated on the close study of character which she has given us.”
+ Spec 125:641 N 13 ’20 640w
“‘The romantic’ is a rather curious book in that it is written almost spontaneously according to fixed theory. Its mechanism is flawless.”
+ Springf’d Republican p7a D 12 ’20 500w + The Times [London] Lit Sup p666 O 14 ’20 620w
SINCLAIR, UPTON BEALL (ARTHUR STIRLING, pseud.). Brass check. *$1; pa *50c U. B. Sinclair, Pasadena, Cal. 071
20–11913
The book is a fierce arraignment of our present-day journalism. “When you have read this story, you will know our journalism; you will know the body and soul of it, you will know it in such a way that you will not have to be told what it is doing to the movement for industrial freedom and self-government all over the world.” (Introd.) It falls into three parts: part 1, The evidence, which is one half of the book, is a personal story telling what the author himself has seen and experienced in his struggles with the press for a period of twenty years. In part 2. The explanation, other witnesses are heard, “the wisest and truest and best people of our country” and the author pledges his honor that his statements are based on facts and facts only. Part 3, The remedy, has among its contents a practical program for a “truth-telling” weekly to be known as the National News.
Reviewed by H: L. West
Bookm 52:116 O ’20 950w
“Mr Sinclair’s book is a brave and sincere effort carried out in the worst of all tastes—so that your attention becomes focused on the writer instead of his writing.” Edwin Björkman
− + Freeman 2:212 N 10 ’20 1850w
“Is Mr Sinclair telling the truth? If he is not, the Associated press and every newspaper he includes in his amazing revelations owe the American public the solemn duty of bringing him to justice but if Mr Sinclair’s statements go unchallenged by the press, every honest American must possess himself of the facts. Fascinating as his book is, incredible though it may appear to the dazed reader, it is a treatise based on names, places and dates, convincing despite our great desire to remain unconvinced.” J. J. Smertenko
+ Grinnell R 16:329 Ja ’21 1000w Int J Ethics 31:116 O ’20 140w
“This is a most important book which every reader will want to pass on to his neighbor. It is a complete, masterful study, and the presentation of its facts is wholly convincing. With Mr Sinclair’s conclusions, drawn from his facts, it is not necessary to agree. Mr Sinclair is a Socialist. He sees everything through the spectacles of class-consciousness. Also, at times he is humorless, and he has been persistently naive.” E. H. Gruening
+ − Nation 111:72 Jl 17 ’20 1050w
“There is nothing here even remotely approximating a rational survey of the conditions and practices of American journalism. There is a vast deal about the topic most interesting to Mr Sinclair—and that is Sinclair himself. The picture, while more or less true in many of its details, is, as a whole, a caricature. Is the book worth reading? It is; indeed, it should be widely read. But it should be read with the intelligence and information which will enable one to sift the truth from the mass of absurd and misleading statements which it contains.” W. J. Ghent
− + Review 3:420 N 3 ’20 1350w
“The effectiveness of the facts in ‘The brass check’ for the average reader, not to mention a hostile critic, is seriously marred by the intermittent ‘bow-wowings’ of the writer. Can the author bring to the tragic theme of the prostitution of modern journalism no language but that of the yellow press? The people have been too deeply betrayed by the illusions of language not to demand the facts without the fireworks.” M. C. Crook
+ − Socialist R 8:382 My ’20 650w Springf’d Republican p13a F 22 ’20 160w
“A passionate, intimately personal, elaborately detailed and documented indictment.” J. G. McDonald
+ Survey 44:307 My 29 ’20 320w
“For the sake of the honour of the American press—the better elements in which cannot but be glad to see the worse exposed—one would like to know that this book was being widely read.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p712 N 4 ’20 720w
SINCLAIR, UPTON BEALL (ARTHUR STIRLING, pseud.). 100%; the story of a patriot. *$1.20 (1½c) pa *60c Upton Sinclair, Pasadena, Cal.
21–1179
In fiction form Mr Sinclair has told the story of the Mooney case, bringing in other recent events that show the methods used by business interests and their secret police, under-cover men, and agents provocateur. Peter Gudge is near the scene of the explosion on preparedness day. He is knocked senseless, arrested as a suspect, and given the third degree. Taking his measure, Guffey, the chief of police, decides that Peter is the man for his purpose and uses him first as star witness in the Goober case and later as one of his secret agents, detailed to spy on the “reds.” Peter is faithful and painstaking and rises to the top in his profession, a true 100% American. The data on which the story is built is supplied in an appendix.
“Mr Sinclair has abandoned the Zolaist symbolism and declamation of his earlier books and has chosen an intellectual and artistic method which is none other than that of Swift. Mr Sinclair has gods and a great subject burning, literally burning, out his heart. And so it comes about that this pedestrian mass of graceless prose achieves—in the most fundamental sense—literary values that young intellectuals seeking cultural modes for our American life can never reach. The book is a literary achievement of high and solid worth.”
+ − Nation 111:481 O 27 ’20 320w
“Dealing in certain facts that we all know to be true, it carries an impression of verisimilitude, despite elements of sentimentality and exaggeration. It gives a graphic insight into some of the ugliest phases of the class struggle.” G. H.
+ − World Tomorrow 4:30 Ja ’21 160w
SINGMASTER, ELSIE (MRS HAROLD LEWARS). Basil Everman. *$1.90 (2½c) Houghton
20–5404
Basil Everman, who never once appears in person, nevertheless dominates the entire story. The scene is laid in a small college town, lying a little north of Mason and Dixon’s line, where “the Civil war was still the chief topic of discussion among the older men.” The chief characters (after Basil) are: Richard Lister, son of the president of Walton college; Richard’s mother who is violently opposed to the musical career on which he has set his heart; Eleanor Bent, who has promising literary talent and with whom Richard falls in love; Mrs Bent, formerly Margie Ginter, an innkeeper’s daughter, who conceals Eleanor’s parentage from her; Dr Green, a physician; Thomasina Davis, spinster, who loved Basil Everman; and Mr Utterly of Willard’s Magazine, who has come across a story, an essay and a poem of Basil’s so wonderful that they have sent him to Waltonville to learn all he can about the defunct genius. The story ends happily.
“A good armchair story for people who enjoy this kind of character study, which is pervaded by kindly humor and gentle satire.”
+ Booklist 16:246 Ap ’20 Lit D p87 S 4 ’20 3500w
“Miss Singmaster gives us a warm and charming picture of her little college town; she catches the external characteristics and harmless little oddities of her people. But she will not let herself regard their real lives with a critical eye.”
+ − Nation 110:401 Mr 27 ’20 500w
“Carefully and skillfully written, showing a restraint and finish far removed from the hasty, slipshod performances of so many writers of contemporary fiction.”
+ N Y Times 25:120 Mr 14 ’20 500w
“Told with care and dignity, this novel has the quality we call distinction.”
+ N Y Times 25:190 Ap 18 ’20 60w
“A fine piece of work.”
+ Outlook 124:562 Mr 31 ’20 80w
“Both in plot and in character delineation Miss Singmaster has been very successful in this story. ‘Basil Everman’ ought to be one of the star volumes of the year.”
+ Springf’d Republican p13a My 2 ’20 550w
SIRÉN, OSVALD. Essentials in art. il *$3.50 Lane 704
20–20086
The author of this volume is professor of the history of art at the University of Stockholm and has a world reputation as lecturer on art, especially primitive Italian art, in other European countries, in America and Japan. The essays in this volume are: Rhythm and form; Art and religion; Art and religion during the renaissance; The importance of the antique to Donatello; A late Gothic poet of line. The last two essays are profusely illustrated. The poet of line in the last essay is Parri Spinelli, a list of whose works is appended.
“His book on Leonardo da Vinci is better worth reading than many others that have been written on that, apparently inexhaustible subject. But his new volume can hardly be said to satisfy the expectations that the title might legitimately arouse.” E. M.
+ − Ath p836 Je 25 ’20 860w
“Most of the book is objective criticism of the highest order; the essay on ‘Rhythm and form’ is both penetrating and remarkable. Professor Sirén understands art—his volume is a distinctive contribution to aesthetics.”
+ Dial 69:666 D ’20 50w
“Really touches essentials only in the initial essay on ‘Rhythm and form,’ in which an important matter is treated with more fulness than precision or originality. The rest is agreeable padding from the author’s recent magazine articles. The book is well made, and has the merit, in a critical work, of being easy to read.”
+ Review 3:564 D 8 ’20 90w
“Professor Sirén is a typical modern student, who has travelled much, and has first-hand knowledge of many arts. In his more purely historical essays he does not, in the pursuit of facts, lose sight of underlying principles. The essay ‘On the importance of the antique to Donatello’ is actually marred by a too careless treatment of material facts, and by a strange misconception of the character of Gothic art.”
+ − Sat R 130:97 Jl 31 ’19 1200w
“We welcome Professor Sirén’s collection of essays, for, although they contain nothing that is very fresh in point of view, they breathe a reasonable spirit, and state the modern position with moderation and sense.”
+ − Spec 124:620 My 8 ’20 520w
“With the subject of line-drawing and rhythm, he is especially happy.”
+ Springf’d Republican p8a D 5 ’20 360w
“He is not a lively writer, at least in our language; and his thought is so abstract that, dealing as it does with a subject so concrete and particular as art, it is often hard to follow. He is, by the present condition of aesthetic thought, forced to use a number of general terms without defining them; we ourselves have to supply the definition as we read, and we may supply it wrong; but those who are really interested in the subject will find his essay [Rhythm and form] worth reading.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p211 Ap 1 ’20 1750w
SITWELL, OSBERT. Argonaut and juggernaut. *$1.50 Knopf 821
20–3704
This volume by one of the young soldier-poets of Great Britain opens with a preface poem “How shall we rise to greet the dawn?” written in November, 1918. The four parts of the volume are entitled: The Phœnix-feasters; Green-fly; Promenades; and War poems. In the war poems satire predominates.
“Poems by one of the more notable exponents of the modern manner, who seems as yet to be uncertain both of his aim and method.”
+ − Ath p1208 N 14 ’19 80w
“Some will applaud Mr Sitwell’s political sentiments; others, when they read such things as ‘Sheep song,’ will be profoundly irritated. The intensity of their irritation will be the measure of Mr Sitwell’s success as a writer of satire. When we turn from Mr Sitwell’s satirical to what we may be permitted to call his ‘poetical’ poems, we are less certain in our appreciation and enjoyment.”
+ − Ath p1255 N 28 ’19 600w
“Mr Sitwell is thought by many, and doubtless considers himself, to be extremely wild and daring, when in reality he is merely a bad rider of his hobby. The only pieces in this volume in which he betrays genuine feeling are some of the vers libre efforts written in protest against the attitude of society towards the war.” J: G. Fletcher
− + Freeman 2:189 N 3 ’20 360w
“As a satirist, and he is nothing if not a satirist, he never is vivid; he nowhere bites or breaks. His abuse is oratorical in its plenitude, oratorical and round and blunt. He by no means has mastered the indirectness, the cut, the slant, the side-sweep, the poetry of satire.” M. V. D.
− Nation 110:855 Je 26 ’20 160w
“He is moved to write by unbelief in the ideals of other people rather than by the passionate force of ideals of his own. He is a sceptic, not a sufferer. His work proceeds less from his heart, than from his brain. It is a clever brain, however, and his satirical poems are harshly entertaining and will infuriate the right people. They may not kill Goliath, but at least they will annoy Goliath’s friends.” Robert Lynd
+ − Nation [London] 26:352 D 6 ’19 650w
“Mr Sitwell’s impressive title is about the only impressive thing in his book.” Clement Wood
− + N Y Call p10 Je 20 ’20 380w + N Y Times 25:194 Ap 18 ’20 80w + N Y Times 25:16 Je 27 ’20 300w
“There are passages in these pages which show that Mr Sitwell has embryonic poetic talent that may develop significantly, if he can get far enough away from the disturbing moods and reflections of war to give it free rein. He has the love of nature that is the poet’s best teacher. In ‘Argonaut and juggernaut’ Mr Sitwell is primarily not a poet, but a prophet. And his prophecy is full of flaming indignation and scorn.”
+ Springf’d Republican p9a F 29 ’20 1000w
“When Captain Sitwell is not occupied with telling home truths he discloses an imaginative mind and a subtle sense of the value of words. Nor can his word-pictures fairly be criticised as rhetorical; each embodies an unobtrusive idea. Thus his ‘Sailor-song’ expresses with Elizabethan freshness the Elizabethan delight in the wonders of ocean and the life marvellous.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p699 N 27 ’19 280w
SKELTON, OSCAR DOUGLAS. Canadian Dominion; a chronicle of our northern neighbor. (Chronicles of America ser.) il subs per ser of 50v *$250 Yale univ. press 971
20–3361
“Volume forty-nine of the series is about ‘The Canadian Dominion’ and is by Oscar D. Skelton, professor of political science at Queen’s university. The book takes up the story of Canada from where it was left off by G. M. Wrong in ‘The conquest of New France’ at about 1760 and continues it to Canada’s entry into the great war.”—N Y Times
“The limitations are insignificant in comparison with the high intrinsic merit of the whole book. Its delightful literary form, together with its accuracy and suggestiveness, make it both the most readable and the most valuable of the general histories of the Canadian Dominion. The volume, in short, is a credit to Canadian scholarship.” C. D. Allin
+ − Am Hist R 26:350 Ja ’21 620w
“While thoroughly Canadian and more intensely patriotic than the self-styled scientific historians may favor, Mr Skelton is broad visioned, never provincial. To write impartially of Quebec Nationalists and Ontario Orangemen and of the language and separate school questions, required the restraint of a scholar.”
+ Cath World 112:392 D ’20 1100w + N Y Times p16 O 31 ’20 130w R of Rs 52:223 Ag ’20 40w
SKILLMAN, WILLIS ROWLAND. A. E. F. who they were, what they did, how they did it. il *$2 Jacobs 940.373
20–7445
“We all have hobbies,” says the author, and his is the collection of facts and figures. From his habit of noting down “bits of information about army organization, divisions, insignia, casualties, dates, awards of medals, and a dozen other subjects of interest to soldiers” (Foreword) grew this book, and its object is to “explain, in terms any civilian can understand, the system by which the American army accomplished its work in France.” Among its distinctive features are statistical tables, maps, charts, diagrams, collar insignia, officer’s insignia, chevrons and a large colored chart of the shoulder insignia of the United States army. The table of contents is: A soldier’s survey of the world war; America’s part in the world war; System of command; The American divisions; The branches of the service; Army honors and symbols; Reminiscences; Appendix; Index.
SKINNER, ADA MARIA, and SKINNER, ELEANOR LOUISE, comps. Child’s book of modern stories. il *$3.50 Duffield
20–15344
Sixty-six stories by such authors as Louisa M. Alcott, Julia Darrow Cowles, Abbie Farwell Brown, Josephine Scribner Gates, Mary Stewart, Patten Beard, Thornton Burgess, and others. They are grouped as: Home tales; The story garden; Cheerful stories; and Tales and legends beautiful. There are eight pictures by Jessie Wilcox Smith.
+ Booklist 17:127 D ’20
“Filled with seventy or more of the best short stories for children that have been written in recent years.”
+ Ind 104:376 D 11 ’20 100w
“The stories have been edited with tact and put into a style easy of comprehension by the simplest minds.”
+ Lit D p95 D 4 ’20 240w
“The pictures are characteristically charming.”
+ Outlook 126:600 D 1 ’20 40w
SKINNER, ADA MARIA, and SKINNER, ELEANOR LOUISE, comps. and eds. Garnet story book. (Jewel ser.) *$1.75 (3c) Duffield
20–3194
For this collection the compilers have brought together “tales of cheer both old and new.” The collection opens with The good-natured bear, by Richard H. Horne, a story praised by Thackeray. The other stories are: Christmas wishes, by Louise Chollet; The man of snow, by Harriet Myrtle; Butterwops, by Edward A. Parry; Finikin and his golden pippins, by Madame De Chatelaine; The story of Fairyfoot, by Frances Browne; The snow-queen, by Hans Christian Andersen; The merry tale of the king and the cobbler, from Gammer Gurton’s Historie; The story of Merrymind, by Frances Browne.
+ Boston Transcript p6 Jl 14 ’20 170w
SKINNER, CONSTANCE LINDSAY. Adventurers of Oregon; a chronicle of the fur trade. (Chronicles of America ser.) il per ser of 50v *$250 Tale univ. press 979.5
20–4768
“Constance Lindsay Skinner’s ‘Adventurers of Oregon’ describes the Lewis and Clark expedition and the cruise of the Tonquin, through which John Jacob Astor hoped to ‘control a mighty fur-trading system reaching from the Great Lakes to the Pacific ocean and on to China and India.’” (N Y Times) “The titles are: The river of the West; Lewis and Clark; The reign of the trapper; The Tonquin; Astor’s overlanders; Astoria under the Nor’westers, and The king of old Oregon. The period covered is from the beginnings of exploration to the settlement of the Oregon boundary dispute in 1846, and the themes represented by the above chapter-heads are essentially two—discovery and exploration, and the fur-trade.” (Am Hist R)
“This book is a delight. The author treats the dramatic scenes and incidents in the background of Oregon’s history, achieving therein a wholly unusual degree of literary perfection. Thus she has produced a narrative which, for adult readers, deserves to take very high rank in its special field.” Joseph Schafer
+ Am Hist R 26:117 O ’20 650w
“Occasionally it would seem that the effort to maintain a swiftly moving narrative has betrayed the author into sacrificing clarity. As a ‘Chronicle of the fur trade’ this work fulfills the purpose of the editors of the series in presenting an interesting account of a romantic phase of American development; historical perspective appears to have suffered in ‘Adventurers of Oregon.’” L. B. Shippee
+ − Mississippi Valley Hist R 7:171 S ’20 660w
“The book has the true pioneering tang.”
+ N Y Times p16 O 31 ’20 130w R of Rs 62:223 Ag ’20 30w
SKINNER, ELEANOR LOUISE, and SKINNER, ADA MARIA. Children’s plays. il *$1.25 Appleton 812
19–1207
The authors urge the use of dramatic material in school work and have designed these plays to that end. They say “The little plays in this book, planned primarily for class room reading lessons, may be used (1) for practice in oral reading, (2) for original dramatizations in language work, (3) for school entertainments.” Some of the plays are original, others are adaptations. Contents: Nick Bluster’s trick; Cicely and the bears; The happy beggar; Professor Frog’s lecture; Cock-Alu and Hen-Alie; Mother Autumn and North Wind; The one-eyed servant; Little rebels; Everyday gold; The village shoe maker; The faithful shepherd; A royal toy-mender; The new New year. There are pictures by Willy Pogany.
“The simple, natural dialogue of these thirteen plays makes them excellent for reading and acting or for exercises in language work.”
+ Booklist 16:316 Je ’20 St Louis 17:312 O ’19 50w
SLATER, THOMAS. Foundation of true morality. *$1.25 (9c) Benziger 171
20–12834
The author holds that man is not a mere physical machine but a moral agent, endowed with freedom to choose between good and evil. What is needed is a moral standard by which man can judge their actions. That this standard can be supplied by the Catholic conception of Christian morality rather than by the Protestant conception is the contention of the book. Contents: Man a moral agent; Legalism; Casuistry; Counsels and precepts; Sin; Grace.
SLATTERY, JOHN T. Dante. *$2 Kenedy 851
A course of lectures delivered before the student body of the New York state college for teachers in 1919 and 1920. The author treats of Dante as “Christianity’s greatest poet” and adopts for him Ruskin’s descriptive phrase “the central man of all the world.” There are five lectures: Dante and his time; Dante, the man; Dante’s “Inferno”; Dante’s “Purgatorio”; Dante’s “Paradiso.” There is a preface by John H. Finley.
SLATTERY, MARGARET.[[2]] Highway to leadership. *$1.50 Pilgrim press 174
20–19286
In a series of essays the author expounds all the qualities necessary for leadership and incidentally the necessity of leadership. In the first essay: “A leader—one who leads,” the illustrations of born leadership are taken from children’s playgrounds with the conclusion that the requirements are three: “some knowledge and the hunger for more, an abandon of self-effacing consecration to the purpose, and a real passion for the goal.” The other essays are: The eyes that see; The ears that hear; The heart that feels; The mind that interprets; The practice that prepares; The courage that faces facts; The patience that teaches; The will that persists; The confidence that dares dream.
“In the clear convincing style which is usual with her, Miss Slattery gives the world another of her inspiring volumes.”
+ Boston Transcript p4 Ja 5 ’21 180w
SLOANE, THOMAS O’CONOR. Standard electrical dictionary; a complete manual of the science; with addition by Prof. A. E. Watson. il *$5 Henley 621.3
20–12131
To this 1920 edition a second part has been added to the first. “In this part all the recent advances in appliances, new developments and refinements in theory have been very fully treated. The second part includes a series of short treatises on a multitude of topics which have arisen in the short period since the last enlarged edition appeared. There are also a large number of what may be properly termed definitions, which are required because of the increased terminology of the science.” (Preface) The new section comprises 175 pages of text with new illustrations and diagrams.
R of Rs 62:336 S ’20 40w
SLOANE, WILLIAM MILLIGAN. Balkans; a laboratory of history. 4th ed, rev and enl *$2.50 Abingdon press 949.6
20–14471
“The first edition of this work was issued a few months before the outbreak of the world war. Beginning with the fall of the Byzantine empire, the history of this section of Europe, where the blood of so many races have mingled that the author considers it an ethnological museum, the history is followed down to the opening of the year 1914. To make his story of the Balkans complete it was necessary for the author to revise it in the light of the last six years. Seven new chapters have been added. They make a concise and very broad sketch of the events leading up to the war, of the war, and of events up to and including the peace conference.”—Boston Transcript
“The author transforms his pre-war volume so that it becomes one of the best books on the war that we have.” F. W. C.
+ Boston Transcript p6 Jl 14 ’20 880w Ind 103:292 S 4 ’20 20w
“In this difficult work he well maintains his reputation for fairness and impartiality as an historian.”
+ R of Rs 62:221 Ag ’20 70w
SLOSSON, EDWIN EMERY. Easy lessons in Einstein. il *$1.35 Harcourt 530.1
20–8295
“A discussion of the more intelligible features of the theory of relativity.” (Sub-title) Dr Slosson, literary editor of the Independent, has attempted a simple explanation of the Einstein theories, making use of “such crude and absurd analogies as trains and elevators and projectiles flying through space and Coney island mirrors.” A paper by Dr Einstein on Time, space, and gravitation is reprinted from the London Times, and there is a bibliography of eight pages and an index. Parts of the book have appeared in the Independent.
“He is to be congratulated on the enthusiasm he has brought to what must have been a difficult and fatiguing performance.”
+ Ath p618 N 5 ’20 260w
“The main points of the Einstein theory and the experiments leading to it are explained in an interesting, informal way so that those not trained in mathematical physics can grasp them.”
+ Booklist 16:335 Jl ’20
“Slosson’s ‘Easy lessons in Einstein’ is a good attempt written in an easy style far above the breezy smartness of the Sunday supplements; it is trustworthy and throughout entertaining, if not always instructive. There is perhaps too much about the fourth dimension and somewhat too much striving ‘to loosen up,’ as he puts it, ‘our conventional ideas of the fixity of time and space.’” R: F. Deimel
+ − Freeman 1:422 Jl 14 ’20 1700w Ind 102:371 Je 12 ’20 650w
“A book with which the absolute layman may amuse himself for a few hours.”
+ Nature 106:466 D 9 ’20 60w
“If the reader will take the time to read this little book only as fast as he can really understand it—say a few pages at a time, with intervals of a day or more to let the ideas soak in, or to think them over—he will find this both stimulating and informing.” B. C. G.
+ N Y Call p11 S 12 ’20 500w + N Y P L New Tech Bks p37 Ap ’20 40w Springf’d Republican p8 Ag 5 ’20 650w
SMALLWOOD, WILLIAM MARTIN, and others. Biology for high schools, il *$1.40 Allyn 570
20–17589
“Specifically the book aims to do six things: (1) To teach the pupil to see accurately what he looks at and describe exactly what he sees. (2) To teach him to think clearly and to base his conclusions upon his facts. (3) To broaden his knowledge of his own body through the study of the structure and functions of other animals and plants. (4) To show him by the adaptations of plants and animals how he can adapt himself to the varying conditions of life. (5) To make him a good citizen through his knowledge of good food, good health and good living conditions. (6) To teach him how biology has helped human progress and welfare.” (Preface) The contents are in four parts: Animal biology; Plant biology; Human biology; General biology. There are numerous illustrations and an index.
SMITH, CHARLES HENRY.[[2]] Mennonites. $2.25 Mennonite bk. concern, Berne, Ind.
289.7
“The volume falls into two parts: the Mennonites in Europe, and in America. Beginning with the Anabaptists in Switzerland, and the indigenous movements of a similar character in Germany and the Netherlands, and their unjust and unwarranted identification by the authorities with the tragedy at Münster, the book leads to the systematizing of Anabaptist views by the Dutch ex-priest, Menno Simons, after whom the religion is named. The early scattered congregations in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Cleves-Julich, East and West Prussia, East Friesland, Hamburg, Holstein, Bavaria, Württemberg, Alsace-Lorraine and France, Moravia and Galicia, and their leaders all find their place. The story is one of martyrdom, division, confiscation, dispersion, but of abounding willingness to die for faith. The source for much of this is Thielman von Bracht’s ‘Martyr’s mirror,’ one of the monuments of Mennonite literature. The section devoted to the Mennonites in America is a reworking of Dr Smith’s earlier treatise on the ‘Mennonites in America.’ The final chapters of Dr Smith’s study are given over to special topics.”—Am Hist R
“Dr Smith is to be complimented on the patience and skill which has enabled him to produce what is undoubtedly the most authoritative work on the Mennonites in our language. His impartiality in dealing with the present-day rival branches of the sect is also worthy of commendation.” E: Krehbiel
+ Am Hist R 26:310 Ja ’21 1500w Nation 111:164 Ag 7 ’20 80w
SMITH, CHARLTON LYMAN. Gus Harvey, the boy skipper of Cape Ann. il *$1.65 (6c) Jones, Marshall
20–14706
A story for boys. Gus Harvey is a New York boy adopted by the captain of a fishing vessel from Gloucester. In spite of his New York bringing up Gus is familiar with boats and he readily adapts himself to the life of Cape Ann, his new home. He wins a yacht race, learns to build a boat and with his chum salvages a wreck and captures a band of burglars. There is a glossary of marine terms.
“Only for the boy who understands sailing and nautical terms. Nicely printed and illustrated.”
+ Booklist 17:124 D ’20
“The story has the quality of an old skipper’s talk.” A. C. Moore
+ Bookm 52:262 N ’20 50w
SMITH, CORINNA HAVEN (PUTNAM) (MRS JOSEPH LINDON SMITH), and HILL, CAROLINE R. (MRS WILLIAM HILL). Rising above the ruins in France. il *$3.50 Putnam 914.4
20–13141
“Observations in the devastated regions of France, made since the armistice, by two American women who have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the work for ‘the children of the frontier.’ By the use of pen and camera these women undertake to show us in America something of the destruction that the north of France has undergone and something of the brave spirit with which the population has sought to rebuild its devastated homes.”—R of Rs
“The authors’ pictures of the re-awakening of life are simply and impressively sketched.”
+ Ath p645 N 12 ’20 160w + Booklist 17:109 D ’20 + Cath World 112:693 F ’21 440w
“When they speak of conditions actually witnessed they speak with the natural authority of sincerity and lucidity. The book takes a particular value from the large number of photographs with which it is enriched.”
+ − Nation 111:331 S 18 ’20 240w
“There is little of deliberate description, there are few adjectives, no one incident or visualization is dwelt on long. But the book is a glimpse of life and indomitable achievement—and that is an epic thing.”
+ N Y Times 25:22 Jl 25 ’20 2100w
“It is no small praise of the narrative to say that, while by no means purely descriptive, it matches the pictures in striking or appealing presentation of fact.”
+ No Am 212:718 N ’20 980w + − Outlook 126:515 N 17 ’20 50w
“This incessant use of the historical present time gives their style an air of pretentious artifice; their frequent use of direct discourse gives it an air of fiction. So, except for the pictures and the appendix, they have succeeded in producing only an effect of make-believe in confusion.”
− + Review 3:236 S 15 ’20 200w R of Rs 62:222 Ag ’20 70w
“It would be misleading to say that this record of wonderful accomplishment is interesting throughout. Literary interest can hardly be achieved unless the principle of progression and climax be adhered to. Mrs Haven Smith, gives us a good many of those human touches which one always looks for in such a book.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p736 N 11 ’20 420w
SMITH, DAVID. Life and letters of St Paul. *$6 Doran 220.92
20–9032
“The author’s point of view in this book is well expressed in the preface: ‘Controversy is a foolish and futile employment; and I have endeavored to portray St Paul simply as I have perceived him during long years of loving and delightful study of the sacred memorials of his life and labor, mentioning the views of others only as they served to illustrate and confirm my own. And I would fain hope that I have written nothing discourteous, nothing hurtful.’ One of the most attractive parts of this volume is the translation of the epistles into modern English. The text is accompanied by a running exposition which takes note of the thought and purpose of these rich writings, and sets them in their historical context in a way that the average mind can understand. On the other hand, the scholar will find a great deal of suggestion from the extensive footnotes, which discuss the deeper questions of Biblical learning on subjects that are not always familiar even to the general run of scholars.”—Bookm
“The warmth of its style is likely to make it more acceptable as an aid to devotion than as a contribution to historical research.”
+ − Ath p442 Ap 2 ’20 150w
“This detailed, voluminous, and interesting life of Paul is by the author of ‘In the days of his flesh,’ and bears all the marks of unwearied scholarship, sympathetic interpretation, and exegetical insight that we have learned to associate with the name of Dr Smith.”
+ Bib World 54:647 N ’20 450w
“Dr Smith has produced a work of genuine literature. He has a lucid style, a finely poised imagination, deep historical insight, a rich understanding of religious values, and a full grasp of the profoundest scholarship. He has thus written a volume that unquestionably takes rank with the great biographies of recent times. There is not a dull page.” O. L. Joseph
+ Bookm 51:303 My ’20 1200w N Y Times p29 O 17 ’20 80w
“This book is disappointing. The notes indicate that the author possesses minute scholarship, but the text does not indicate that he possesses spiritual insight.”
− + Outlook 126:334 O 20 ’20 130w + Spec 124:317 Mr 6 ’20 170w
“It is designed for the general reader rather than for the scholar, and throughout it maintains an allusiveness to general literature and history which will make it specially attractive to a wide circle of readers.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p347 Je 3 ’20 700w
SMITH, GEORGE GREGORY. Ben Jonson. *$1.25 Macmillan
20–4866
“After many years Ben Jonson has been admitted to the sacred circle of English men of letters, that series of little critical biographies now numbering more than sixty names. In Mr Smith’s belated biography we have in his two opening chapters a recital of about all that is known of the circumstances of Jonson’s life, the rest of the book being given to a study of his literary work, with chapters on ‘literary conscience,’ the comedies, masques, tragedies and poems, and a final survey of his influence.”—Boston Transcript
Boston Transcript p10 F 7 ’20 1450w
“Mr Smith, in his entirely laudable anxiety to write unlike Swinburne, has written the greater part of his book with too much caution. The biography is all crowded into the first fifty pages and the remaining two hundred and fifty are left wholly free for criticism: the easiest arrangement, perhaps, but in this case not the best. It is only in the last two chapters, those on Jonson’s literary criticism and influence, that Professor Smith, himself an authority on sixteenth and seventeenth century poetical theory, comes into his own and does his author the fullest justice.” Mark Van Doren
+ − Nation 110:206 F 14 ’20 1100w
“The new ‘Ben Jonson’ is generously written, but Mr Gregory Smith has kept Ben’s secret. It was, of course, impossible to quote much in the limits of space set by the conditions of the series; the more’s the pity that it came out in a series at all. The book is too big for it; it is so rich a harvest that one could wish the master of it had pulled down his barns and built greater; cancelled his contract, and made ‘Ben Jonson’ his magnum opus.”
+ Nation [London] 26:608 Ja 31 ’20 1950w
“Mr Smith is constantly on the defensive; he is often arrogant and peevish in his attitude towards other critics. Under his handling Jonson becomes not only dull but a source of dullness in other men, to wit in Mr Smith himself.” S. C. C.
− + New Repub 23:342 Ag 18 ’20 500w
“Professor Smith has done full justice to Ben’s robust character without minimizing [his] grave faults. His plays are analysed with much ability, and their peculiar qualities are admirably explained and illustrated with reference to the theory upon which they were constructed. Insight and accuracy are the chief essentials in a short account of Ben Jonson, and Professor Smith possesses both.”
+ Spec 124:279 F 28 ’20 550w
“For the critical study in the Men of letters series which Mr Gregory Smith has just produced there is a place; it satisfies curiosity, it supplies many just observations, it provides valuable matter on the neglected masques; it only fails to remodel the image of Jonson which is settled in our minds.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p637 N 13 ’19 2100w
SMITH, GORDON ARTHUR. Pagan. *$1.75 Scribner
20–5580
“This is a collection of twelve short stories. In ‘The pagan,’ from which the book takes its title, there are three outstanding characters: Ferdinand Taillandy, son of Maxime Taillandy, a wealthy Parisian; his sister Marthe, and Peter Mason, a young American lawyer whose firm practiced on both sides of the Atlantic. In the ‘Feet of gold’ and ‘The end of the road’ the author draws further entertaining pictures of the same Ferdinand Taillandy—‘poet, pagan and wanderer on the face of the earth.’ The ‘City of light’ and ‘The bottom of the cup’ are pathetic tales of two young sisters, daughters of a widow of Evremont-sur-Seine, who, dazzled by the attractions of Paris, leaves home, only to return broken and disillusioned. ‘Tropic madness’ is decidedly humorous.”—N Y Times
Booklist 16:246 Ap ’20 + N Y Times 25:25 Jl 11 ’20 700w
SMITH, HENRY LOUIS.[[2]] Your biggest job, school or business. *$1 Appleton 174
20–21351
These heart-to-heart talks with boys contain “Some words of counsel for red-blooded young Americans who are getting tired of school.” (Sub-title) The author’s object is to give the boy the necessary incentive to develop the will-power that will enable him to go thru with an irksome task for the sake of his future. The essays are: The American freight train; Quitting school for business; Grindstones: A study in tool-sharpening; A neglected art; The key to success in study; A widespread fallacy disproved; On getting rich; The cash value of book-learning; First lesson of the world war: Value of morale; A square deal for the home folks; College and university training; The home half of college preparation.
SMITH, HERBERT ARTHUR.[[2]] American Supreme court as an international tribunal. *$3.50 Oxford 341.6
20–16853
“This small volume essays to draw an analogy between the Supreme court of the United States, when sitting as a tribunal to try cases involving sovereign states, and any international court that may hereafter be established for such purpose. The author reviews the various cases before the Supreme court in which one or both of the litigants have been states of the union, stressing those cases in which the jurisdiction of the court has been challenged, either successfully or otherwise.”—N Y Evening Post
+ N Y Evening Post p11 D 31 ’20 180w
“Professor Herbert Smith has compiled a very useful book, deserving close study at the present time.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p642 O 7 ’20 650w
SMITH, JUSTIN HARVEY. War with Mexico. 2v *$10 Macmillan 973.6
19–19605
“This exhaustive historical work may be regarded—although the author does not so claim—as a sequel to his previous work, ‘The annexation of Texas.’ Professor Smith devotes two opening chapters to the consideration of the social, economic and political condition of Mexico and the Mexicans, both before and since the revolt from Spanish rule, which made it an independent state under the rule of Iturbide. Next are considered the relations between Mexico and the United States prior to the beginning of the war and the attitude of both powers on the eve of war. The second volume is devoted chiefly to a description of the war itself, the siege of Chapultepec, the capture of the capital city, the naval operations and the final victory and the signing of a treaty. Professor Smith has sought his material for this exhaustive history in public documents and records of the two governments, in collections of historical societies, and public and private libraries, in manuscripts public and private ... and in personal recollections of men still living, who took part in the conflict.”—Boston Transcript
“The reviewer is disappointed, because it seems to him that Dr Smith has not accomplished once for all the results that his immense labor and impressive grasp of the subject would have enabled him to do had he written with more regard to the necessary limitations of his readers. It would be a grievous error, however, to infer that he has not produced a notable book. One may not always agree with the author, but very few will be rash enough to neglect him.” E. C. Barker
+ − Am Hist R 25:729 Jl ’20 1400w Booklist 16:309 Je ’20
“This book must be regarded as the definitive work on this important episode in the history of the expansion of our country.” E. J. C.
+ Boston Transcript p6 F 4 ’20 1050w
“A thoroughgoing and accurate narrative.”
+ Brooklyn 12:106 Mr ’20 40w
“Elaborate, but not very plausible.”
+ − Dial 68:669 My ’20 70w
“The many engagements before final victory are described with a particularity which proves the author to have acquired a general understanding of military matters, with an appreciative grasp of the technique of the battlefield that make his narrative markedly convincing.”
+ N Y Times 25:300 Je 6 ’20 1000w
“Professor Smith has labored with a keen eye for the human and picturesque qualities in his material. At the same time this is fundamentally the work of a painstaking scholar.”
+ Outlook 125:223 Je 2 ’20 100w R of Rs 61:334 Mr ’20 180w
“Mr Smith has made a thorough examination of the available material, and has built it into a monumental work which supersedes all previous histories of the subject. His treatment of the military part is admirable. His book is fully documented, and in every way a credit to the American school of history.”
+ Spec 124:869 Je 26 ’20 350w Springf’d Republican p8 Ja 3 ’20 70w
“The public is deeply indebted to Prof. Smith, who after years of patient delving in the vaults of historical societies, in local archives, in private collections, etc., has produced a scholarly and well thought-out history.”
+ Springf’d Republican p5 Mr 8 ’20 600w
“The episodes are sufficiently distant to have enabled the passions and excitements to grow cold and for their comparative importance to be weighed and allocated in a just position in the history of the construction of the United States. The materials are adequate, even abundant, and the author with commendable industry has fortified his narrative with a wealth of corroborative annotation, and a formidable bibliography of his subject. He has, moreover, compiled a really useful index.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p350 Je 3 ’20 950w
SMITH, LAURA ROUNTREE. Like-to-do stories. il 55c Beckley-Cardy co.
A book of stories for boys and girls who are just beginning to read for themselves. Each story has its moral, as some of the titles will show: The little girl who liked to wash dishes; The little boy who liked to bring in wood and water; The little girl who couldn’t tell time; The little boy who was afraid of the dark; The little boy who liked to hang up his coat and hat; The little girl who did a kindness every-day.
SMITH, LEWIS WORTHINGTON, and HATHAWAY, ESSE VIRGINIA.[[2]] Skyline in English literature. il *$2 Appleton 820.9
20–20033
The object of the book is to present the story of English literature in continuity by eliminating minor details and minor writers and keeping the attention on the skyline. The authors hold that territorial expansion and intellectual expansion go together and that while English-speaking peoples hold the forefront of the world their literature is the greatest in the world. The book is intended for high school use and its contents are: The English language and the English people; The Anglo-Saxon beginning; The Norman-French expansion; The Englishman’s house in order; The Greco-Italian expansion; The world expansion; Spiritual and social idealism: the overthrowing of masters; Spiritual decadence: the return of the masters; The intellectual expansion; the age of enlightenment; The spiritual expansion; idealism and the rebirth of song; The beauty and fullness of life; The industrial expansion; artists, workers, thinkers; Recent and contemporary writers. There is a list of literary places in England with map; a chronology, a glossary, an index and illustrations.
Boston Transcript p5 D 24 ’20 800w N Y Evening Post p10 D 31 ’20 30w
SMITH, LOGAN PEARSALL, ed. Treasury of English prose. *$1.75 (3c) Houghton 820.8
20–5686
This collection of extracts from English prose begins with Chaucer in the fourteenth century. From the sixteenth century there are extracts from the “Book of common prayer,” from Sir Philip Sidney, Francis Bacon and William Shakespeare. Beginning in the seventeenth century with quotations from authorized versions of the Bible, there are, moreover, such names as Izaak Walton, Sir Thomas Browne, John Milton, Jeremy Taylor, and on through the eighteenth century, Swift, Addison, Johnson, Burke and Gibbon. Some of the more modern writers presented are Wordsworth, Coleridge, Lamb, Hazlitt, De Quincey, Shelley, Keats, Carlyle, Emerson, Ruskin, Walter Pater, Henry James, George Bernard Shaw, Joseph Conrad, H. G. Wells, and George Santayana.
Booklist 16:338 Jl ’20
“Not absolutely representative but includes some charming and little-known prose gems by several famous poets.”
+ Cleveland p72 Ag ’20 30w
“Mr Smith has let his ear preside at every choosing, so that his volume is as rigorously cadenced as a collection of sonnets would be. Here with some omissions is the most perfect music which English prose has made.”
+ Nation 111:278 S 4 ’20 100w
“What Mr Pearsall Smith holds to be good prose is to us only a kind of good prose; the kind that is alembicated and, as we say, poetical. It is the prose of conceit, imagery, and eloquence which stands over against the prose of narration, argument, or satire. So that it would strike even one who had no critical opinion of English prose and very little reading in it as somewhat strange that there is not one single piece of narrative in all this book.”
+ − Nation [London] 26:398 D 13 ’19 2500w
“The contents are charmingly arranged and delightfully savory and brief.”
+ New Repub 22:161 Mr 31 ’20 100w
“His treasury is a book of beauty, a book to keep at one’s bed’s head, a book to dip into, to travel with, to reread.” P. L.
+ New Repub 22:253 Ap 21 ’20 1500w
“The anthology as it stands is now anything but representative.... The selections from the Bible are entirely admirable. The passages from Jeremy Taylor and Dr Donne are excellently chosen, and Mr Pearsall Smith is to be congratulated upon his phrase from Traherne and upon having recollected that Chaucer was not only the first English poet. Indeed, much of the prose written by poets in this book will delight and surprise most of Mr Pearsall Smith’s readers.”
+ − Spec 124:50 Ja 10 ’20 1000w
SMITH, MABELL SHIPPIE (CLARKE) (MRS JAMES RAVENEL SMITH).[[2]] Maid of Orleans. *$1.25 Crowell
19–15636
“M. S. C. Smith has published a new volume of the old story of ‘The maid of Orleans,’ written particularly for girls, but by no means confined to such a constituency. To the length of nearly 300 pages the author relates the story of the girl and the voices that guided her in her efforts to free France from a foreign foe and set her rightful sovereign upon the throne.”—Springf’d Republican
“A commendable piece of work.”
+ Cath World 111:254 My ’20 120w + Outlook 124:28 Ja 7 ’20 70w + Springf’d Republican p15 N 30 ’19 180w
SMITH, NORA ARCHIBALD. Christmas child, and other verse for children. il *$1.75 Houghton 811
20–19659
Verses for children reprinted from the Ladies’ Home Journal, Outlook, Youth’s Companion and other periodicals, including school and educational journals. There are about twenty poems on Christmas themes followed by others, with such titles as The fairy ring; Everybody’s baby; The answer of the flag; Learning to knit; Easter blossoms; The doll’s calendar.
“Miss Smith has the gift of sprightly versification, and her experience as a kindergartner leads her to a knowledge of the theme and the treatment that will please boys and girls.”
+ Springf’d Republican p8 N 18 ’20 100w
SMITH, ONNIE WARREN. Casting tackle and methods. il *$3 (4½c) Stewart & Kidd 799
20–16779
Part 1, which is devoted to tackle, has chapters on The bait casting rod; The casting reel; Terminal tackle; Casting lures; Housing the tackle; Repair kits and methods. Part 2, on Methods, has nine chapters: A first lesson in casting; Landing tools and how to use them; Fishing a wadeable stream; Fishing a river from a boat; Shore casting; Casting after dark; Lake casting from a boat; Spoons and how to cast them; Trolling for bass. There are fourteen illustrations. The author is angling editor of Outdoor Life, in the pages of which the chapters of the book originally appeared. He is also author of “Trout lore.”
Booklist 17:103 D ’20
“A free and easy book full of authentic information given with the jocular assurance of the long-experienced angler.” Margaret Ashmun
+ Bookm 52:345 D ’20 140w
“It is good reading; but it is meant primarily to be a guide to catching bass by casting, and such it excellently is. That it is well and heartily written is an added virtue.”
+ N Y Evening Post p11 N 20 ’20 80w
SMITH, WILLIAM WESLEY. Pork-production. il *$3 Macmillan 636.4
20–12385
This volume of the Rural science series has been prepared by an associate professor of animal husbandry in Purdue university. “The material in the book has been drawn from three sources: from practical experience; experimental studies, particularly of feeding questions; and the results of research in the field of chemistry and biology.” (Preface) Subjects covered include handling and feeding of the herd, size of litters, forage crops, cereals, corn substitutes, cost of producing pork, marketing, judging, breeds and breeding. A chapter on The prevention of hog diseases is contributed by R. A. Craig. The volume is illustrated with eight plates and is indexed.
The Times [London] Lit Sup p685 O 21 ’20 50w Wis Lib Bul 16:234 D ’20 60w
SMYTH, ETHEL MARY. Impressions that remained. 2v il *$10.50 Longmans
20–3070
Miss Ethel Smyth is an English musician and composer. In this book of memories she writes of her childhood and girlhood in a typical Victorian household and of her musical life in Germany, more particularly in Leipsig where she went as a student in 1877. The story of her friendship with Elisabeth von Herzogenberg adds a dramatic element to the book.
“Relentlessly truthful about herself, she refuses to say anything that could hurt others who still live. Her autobiography ends almost before her artistic career began; but even so it is a wonderfully fascinating record of a fierce, passionate and courageous life, told from the point of view of a woman who has reached a plane of rare serenity and detachment.” E: J. Dent
+ Ath p1294 D 5 ’19 1900w
“This book is a rich and irresistibly vivid panorama. The reader has the pleasure of it that he has of a portrait gallery whose subjects, interesting in themselves, are delineated with comprehension and an unerring instinct of reproduction.” Pitts Sanborn
+ Dial 68:637 My ’20 3300w
“No one can fail to be drawn by the record of that vanished Germany. The psychologist will study these fascinating pages for data of the artistic temperament, its force, its egotism, its limitations, of which it is not itself aware. But no one who begins the book can lay it aside until he reaches the end.”
+ Review 2:182 F 21 ’20 950w
“Of the earlier part we can say little. Despite the fact that the author has a nice turn for observation, an easy style, and a good memory, we feel that much of the material is of too private a nature. It is when the author goes to Germany that the chief interest in the book begins.”
+ − Sat R 128:sup14 N 29 ’19 900w
“She writes of herself for the most part as if she were writing of another person, with a detachment that is almost uncanny. And although music naturally plays a large part in the narrative, these memoirs can be read with the keenest interest by those to whom music is a sealed book.”
+ Spec 124:247 Ja 10 ’20 2000w + Springf’d Republican p15a Ja 4 ’20 1600w (Reprinted from Ath and Observer [London])
“This is one of the most remarkable books of memoirs that has appeared in recent times. The intensity of the private life which she discloses, with something of Rousseau’s sensitiveness yet with a mixture of lively humour quite beyond his capacity, carries the reader away from the very outset. Without the descent into the abyss of the second volume there would have been matter enough for admiration in these witty pages; but it is that descent which gives the book a power of appeal which raises it far above the merely amusing and interesting.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p587 O 23 ’19 2350w
SMYTHE, J. A.[[2]] Lead, including lead pigments and the desilverisation of lead. il $1 Pitman 669.4
The author of this booklet in the Pitman’s common commodities and industries series assumes very little knowledge of chemistry and physics on the part of the reader and tells the story of lead from the time the ore is dug from the earth to its finished products. Contents: History of lead; Lead ores: their method of occurrence and mineral associates; The finding and mining of lead ore and the preparation of the ore for smelting; The chemical changes involved in smelting; Smelting in the ore-hearth; Smelting in the reverberatory furnace; Smelting in the blast furnace; Condensation of lead fume; Softening and desilverisation of work lead; Cupellation of alloys of silver and lead; Properties and uses of lead and its alloys; Compounds of lead—litharge and red lead; White lead and other lead pigments; Lead in medicine and lead poisoning; Index, map and illustrations.
+ Nature 106:241 O 21 ’20 70w
SNAITH, JOHN COLLIS. Adventurous lady. *$2 (2c) Appleton
20–15066
Lady Elfreda Catkin was something of an imperious young lady. Her parents, owing to Lord Carabbas’, the father’s, impecuniosity, had decided on a wealthy marriage for her with the newly rich, new nobility. Lady Elfreda had decided on frustrating their plans. On the spur of a moment opportunity offers for an exchange of rôles between her and a poor shy little nursery governess. After a true comedy of errors the hoax comes to light with the result that little Miss Cass marries Lord Duckingfield and the now thoroughly emancipated Elfreda marries George Norris, grandson of the former butler of her ladyship’s grandfather and of a former ladies’ maid.
“The adventures are very little adventures and dreadfully dull.” K. M.
− Ath p616 N 5 ’20 240w
“Gay, crisp comedy shot through with a thread of genial satire.”
+ Booklist 17:119 D ’20
“The adventures of Girlie Cass may not be morally significant to a universe in the throes of parturition, but they surely are jolly good fun, as Elfreda would say.”
+ Boston Transcript p11 D 1 ’20 520w Lit D p95 O 23 ’20 1400w
“‘The adventurous lady’ is perhaps more nearly akin to the history of the delectable Araminta than to any other of Mr Snaith’s books—a social comedy, witty and amusing, light and sparkling as sunflecked foam. All this it is, and yet more—an admirable illustration of what a really good writer can do with a well-worn and somewhat trite plot.”
+ N Y Times p18 S 19 ’20 850w
“The tale is mildly amusing, but it is a pity that the author of ‘The sailor’ should think it worth while to write such a trifling farce.”
− + Outlook 126:201 S 29 ’20 50w
Reviewed by Katharine Perry
Pub W 98:659 S 18 ’20 290w Spec 126:24 Ja 1 ’21 40w
“The story is obviously at variance with the class of work Mr Snaith has done heretofore. It is a sprightly tale, written to amuse.”
+ Springf’d Republican p9a O 24 ’20 400w + − The Times [London] Lit Sup p705 O 28 ’20 140w
SNOWDEN, JAMES HENRY. Truth about Christian science; the founder and the faith. $2.40 Presbyterian bd. 289.5
21–397
It is the object of the book to ascertain and state, as accurately and impartially and fairly as possible, the facts as to the founder and the faith of Christian science and to discriminate between the truth and error of the system. That it contains both is the author’s conviction. Contents: The subsoil of Christian science; Life of Mrs Mary Baker G. Eddy; Where did Mrs Eddy get her system of healing? “Science and health”: (1) the making of the book; (2) the contents of the book; Christian science teaching; The Christian science church; Mind healing and Christian science cures; The appeal of Christian science; Old truths newly emphasized; Index.
“‘The truth about Christian science’ is for the layman. It may be heartily recommended.”
+ Boston Transcript p7 N 20 ’20 340w
“He has put together a very readable and useful account of the movement, together with a lucid examination of its doctrines, from the standpoint of an orthodox Christian theologist.”
+ N Y Evening Post p12 D 31 ’20 300w
SNOWDEN, JAMES HENRY. Wonderful night. *$1.25 Macmillan 232
19–18544
“Egyptian history, old Greek and Roman, Persian, Phœnician, early Jewish, historic and prehistoric; all were preparation for the coming of Christ. Then came the first Christmas, the wonderful night. The writer of this version has undertaken to reconcile religion and science, to show that all thinking men could but have expected the thing which came to pass. It is an attempt to correlate the Christian story with ancient and modern history.”—Boston Transcript
Boston Transcript p6 Ja 17 ’20 600w
“If it must be done it could not be done in a more finished manner, with more attractive illustrations and illuminations.”
+ − Boston Transcript p4 My 12 ’20 220w
SODDY, FREDERICK. Science and life. *$4 Dutton 504
(Eng ed 20–12133)
“Among the investigators of radioactive substances Professor Frederick Soddy shares with possibly half a dozen men a position of preeminence. To the general public he is best known through his readable little book on ‘Matter and energy’ in the Home university library.” (Freeman) ‘Science, and life’ is the outcome of Professor Soddy’s five years’ tenure of the chair of chemistry at Aberdeen; and the addresses, together with articles here collected with them, are devoted to two main themes—the vast significance and importance of radioactivity, and the need of more and better science teaching in school and university. The Evolution of matter is the subject of one of the chapters reprinted from the Aberdeen University Review. In appendices Professor Soddy criticizes the financial operations of the Carnegie trust for the universities of Scotland.” (The Times [London] Lit Sup)
“It is surely a great merit in Mr Soddy’s book that it awakens in us once more the feeling of adventure.... Being brought back to realities, and finding that they are purely ‘material,’ we can discover hope of essential change only in a profound alteration in the material basis of life. Mr Soddy’s book is exciting because this is exactly what he promises.” J. W. N. S.
+ Ath p301 Mr 5 ’20 900w
“The book is of special interest to men of science, because it brings out their immense burden of responsibility. The chapters on radioactivity are beautifully written, and, coming from Prof. Soddy, are authoritative.” Ellwood Hendrick
+ Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering 23:545 S 15 ’20 680w
“Given his lack of metaphysical subtlety, Professor Soddy can not be expected to say anything particularly new or enlightening on the relation of religion and science. Indeed, the essay devoted to that theme is singularly pointless. On the other hand, Dr Soddy is refreshingly clear and sound in his discussions of the relation of science and democracy.” R. H. Lowie
+ − Freeman 2:20 S 15 ’20 1000w Int J Ethics 31:114 O ’20 260w
“The whole story [of research in radio-activity] is told in a condensed form in several of the essays in this volume, and it could not be told better. Those who are interested in such subjects should obtain the book and read it.” W. A. T.
+ Nature 105:1 Mr 4 ’20 1550w + N Y P L New Tech Bks p65 Jl ’20 150w Review 3:391 O 27 ’20 290w
“Professor Soddy, in urging the claims of the present and the future, seems unduly contemptuous of the past. He should leave it to undergraduates to make a bonfire of the ancient humanities, and should remember that the study of the past serves to guide the present and interpret the future.”
+ − Sat R 129:500 My 29 ’20 1150w
“Specially interesting to those who wish to know what light has been thrown upon the inmost secrets of matter in the last few years are the three papers entitled ‘Science and life,’ ‘The evolution of matter,’ and ‘The conception of the chemical element as enlarged by the study of radioactive change.’”
+ Spec 124:84 Jl 17 ’20 1050w The Times [London] Lit Sup p91 F 5 ’20 90w
SOME British ballads.[[2]] il *$5 Dodd 821.08
(Eng ed 20–8033)
“Although this charming collection is entitled ‘British ballads,’ most of them are Scotch, but are none the worse for that. Indeed, we suppose it may be truly said that the best ballads are those of Scotland. There are here such old favourites as The lass of Lochroyan, Young Bekie, Chevy Chase, The twa corbies, Binnorie, and Get up and bar the door. There are eleven illustrations in colour by Arthur Rackham.”—Sat R
“Everybody knows the drawings in color with which Mr Rackham is wont to embellish the classics. This new volume is, if possible, more exquisite than those preceding. It is all that heart could wish.” Margaret Ashmun
+ Bookm 52:342 D ’20 160w
“It may be that when parents see Rackham’s dramatic picturing of the ballad of ‘The twa corbies,’ they will have some misgivings as to its suitability for young folks. For boys and girls of fourteen there is much to be missed, if ‘Chevy Chase,’ and ‘The duke of Gordon’s daughter,’ and ‘Sir Patrick Spens’ are passed by because of nerves or the difficulties of dialect. Rackham is always decorative, delicate, and dramatic.”
+ − Lit D p94 D 4 ’20 190w
“It is hard to decide which is the more attractive feature of this book—Mr Rackham’s paintings or the ballads themselves.”
+ N Y Times p8 D 26 ’20 500w Sat R 128:615 D 27 ’19 70w
SOMERVILLE, EDITH ANNA ŒNONE, and MARTIN, VIOLET FLORENCE (MARTIN ROSS, pseud.). Mount Music. *$2 (*7s 6d) Longmans
20–2644
“‘Mount Music’ is a tale of Ireland in transition, beginning in the late ‘eighties’ and ending early in this century. The years in which the action takes place mark the passing of the old régime, incarnate in the person of Major Richard Talbot-Lowry, a genial, improvident, dashing, and artless sportsman. And the situation is complicated for him by the fact that his estate marches with that of a young kinsman, a Roman Catholic and a home ruler, the playmate, and in time the lover, of Dick’s daughter Christian. Larry Coppinger, the young home ruler, was ‘in tune with all the world’; and if Christian yielded to the wishes of her father when he was broken in health, she had personally no fear of a mixed marriage. They are both attractive and generous young people, but the finest portrait is that of Francis Mangan, the ‘big doctor like an elephant in his hugeness and suppleness, his dangerousness and his gentleness.’ His relations to his father confessor and his family, his social ambitions and real benevolence, make a wonderful amalgam.”—Spec
“An Irish story, charming and wise and hard to classify because it is such a real book.” R. M. Underhill
+ Bookm 51:444 Je ’20 20w
“Her Irish characters are every whit as entertaining, and presumably as truthful as those of Mr Birmingham himself. There are none of the stereotyped good and evil persons of modern fiction here. Everyone is taken as he or she is, and Miss Somerville wastes no valuable time in moralizing over the foibles of her characters. A good story, excellently told.” G. M. H.
+ Boston Transcript p4 Ap 21 ’20 500w
“It is hard—nay, it is impossible—for an alien to write sympathetically or truthfully of things Catholic, especially if there be question of Catholic Ireland.”
− Cath World 111:410 Je ’20 150w + Cleveland p71 Ag ’20 30w + Outlook 124:657 Ap 14 ’20 60w
“Alike in description, characterization, and dialogue preserves that unerring felicity of phrase, wide range of sympathy, and intrepid humour which were first exhibited in ‘An Irish cousin.’”
+ Spec 123:898 D 27 ’19 700w
“The authors have written many pleasanter books and many that will be more popular, but their genius has never been more unmistakable than in this picture of the ‘big doctor,’ so sordid and vulgar and crafty and with something so big in him.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p766 D 18 ’19 1100w
SONNICHSEN, ALBERT. Consumers’ coöperation. *$1.75 Macmillan 334
19–16460
“John Graham Brooks gives a brief introduction to this volume. The author gives a brief review of the history and explanation of the cooperative movement, developed extensively throughout Europe during the war and now being adopted to some extent in the United States, especially in the middle western and western sections. He asserts it to be the alternative, not an antidote, to bolshevism. The growing importance of the procedure is illustrated by statistics. Its object, the author shows, is to reorganize industry on a collective basis from the point of view of the consumer; to create a consumers’ industrial democracy. He points out that it proceeds by action, rather than by talk.”—Springf’d Republican
“The value of the book consists in its giving the most adequate exposition of consumers’ coöperation yet given in this country,—a comprehensive story of the movement, the fullest in later years, and interesting suggestions as to future achievement.” E. P. Harris
+ Am Econ R 10:169 Mr ’20 450w
“The book is well written and is a clear exposition of consumer’s co-operation.” L. E. Hagerty
+ Am J Soc 26:371 N ’20 360w
“Students of the coöperative movement will find some useful information, lucidly set forth.”
+ Am Pol Sci R 14:363 My ’20 70w + Booklist 16:224 Ap ’20
“Informing and of general interest.”
+ Springf’d Republican p10 Ja 30 ’20 450w
“Of singular interest in this book is the full description which it gives of the history of cooperation in the United States and its present status. We cannot, however, agree with the author in his interpretation of success and failure even though we take his statements of fact as accurate.” B. L.
+ − Survey 43:622 F 21 ’20 700w The Times [London] Lit Sup p241 Ap 15 ’20 80w
SORLEY, CHARLES HAMILTON. Letters; with a chapter of biography. *$5 Macmillan
(Eng ed 20–13569)
“It has been said that the death, in action, of Charles Hamilton Sorley constituted the greatest loss of the war to English literature. There may be some, perhaps, who will hardly commit themselves to this; but none will be so foolish as to deny that more than sufficient interest in his personality was kindled by the publication, in 1916, of his ‘Marlborough and other poems’ to justify the present appearance of this volume. These letters, edited by his parents with admirable restraint, form an invaluable commentary on the poems themselves. The letters really divide themselves into three groups: those written while at school at Marlborough; those while staying (and studying) in Germany, first at Shwerin in Mecklenburg and then at the University of Jena; and, lastly, those while in the army at home and in France.”—Sat R
“We do not receive many such gifts as this wonderful book; the authentic voice of those lost legions is seldom heard.” J. M. M.
+ Ath p136 Ja 30 ’20 2500w
“His published book of poems is not alone evidence of his literary ability. His letters reveal exceptional powers and proclaim the man that might have been.” E. F. E.
+ Boston Transcript p10 Mr 27 ’20 1300w
“One approaches them prepared to find little beyond promise—a hint of something fine cut down before fulfillment; they turn out to be very much more than mere promise; they are in themselves achievement, the expression of a rarely independent mind, humorous, rich and wise far beyond its years.” R. L.
+ New Repub 23:231 Jl 21 ’20 1250w
“Charles Sorley was a born letter-writer. As we read we feel ourselves to be wandering pleasantly among the green places of earth, with a brilliantly discursive boy at our side.”
+ Sat R 129:281 Mr 20 ’20 1000w
“They necessarily lose something of freshness and vividness when they are put together in a book, but they are full of amusing phrases and interesting comments.”
+ Spec 124:351 Mr 13 ’20 1400w
“Quite apart from any sentimental associations, it is a more entertaining book than the average, and it has been edited by Professor and Mrs Sorley with a perfect restraint which has been sadly lacking in certain other books of this kind.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p726 D 11 ’19 1050w
SOTHERN, JOHN WILLIAM MAJOR.[[2]] Oil fuel burning in marine practice. il *$7.50 Van Nostrand 621.12
“A manual of practical instruction in oil fuel burning: contains full and copiously illustrated descriptions of all modern oil fuel burning systems, together with exhaustive practical information relating to same; intended for the use of naval and mercantile marine engineer officers, etc.” (Sub-title) The book is in six sections; The properties and combustion of fuel oil; Fuel oil tests; Description of oil fuel fittings; Pressure systems of oil fuel burning; Faults in oil fuel burning; General notes on oil fuel burning. There are 102 diagrams and other illustrations. The author is principal of Sothern’s Marine engineering college, Glasgow, and member of the Institute of marine engineers, London, and of other engineering societies.
SOUTHARD, ELMER ERNEST. Shell-shock and other neuropsychiatric problems. (Case history ser. Boston State hospital, Psychopathic dept.) il $10 Leonard 616.8
20–2508
“A comprehensive volume setting forth the conclusions of medical experts in a field which has recently undergone remarkable development is Dr E. E. Southard’s ‘Shell-shock and other neuropsychiatric problems.’ The data are presented in 589 case histories from the war literature—largely French and German—of the years 1914–1918, from these data Dr Southard draws about 70 pages of conclusions. The book has a bibliography by Dr Norman Fenton and an introduction by Prof. Charles K. Mills of the University of Pennsylvania.”—Springf’d Republican
Ind 104:68 O 9 ’20 130w
“Primarily of value to physicians and army surgeons, the book is interesting even to the layman in its dramatic accounts of the soldiers who were victims of shell-shock.”
+ Outlook 124:479 Mr 17 ’20 110w
“Dr Southard presents his ideas not only with the thoroughness of the medical expert and scholar but with a certain humor and pungency, general literary culture and full appreciation of the relations of the subject to military service, and, incidentally, to everyday life.”
+ Springf’d Republican p8a Ap 4 ’20 350w
“The book will stand as a monument to a man of many talents. Southard the scholar would not object to the statement that his book is as much a part of history as of medicine.” A. Myerson, M. D.
+ Survey 44:252 My 15 ’20 190w
SPADONI, ADRIANA. Swing of the pendulum. *$1.90 (1c) Boni & Liveright
20–774
Opening in San Francisco and ending in New York, this long novel tells the story of a woman’s life from youth to the beginning of middle age. The swing of the pendulum carries her from an unfortunate early marriage thru a passionate love affair with a man who is already bound by wife and child, to a safe and settled union based on mutual regard and need. Jean Norris graduates from the University of California, turns her back on teaching as a profession, enters library work, marries Franklin Herrick, follows Journalism, discovers the settlement movement, comes to New York as a social worker, plunges into civic reform, loves and loses Gregory Allen, forsakes her work to return to San Francisco, comes back and takes it up again, and after many emotional reactions marries her co-worker, Jerome Stuart.
“There is a good deal of fine characterization in this book; the dialogue is extraordinarily natural. But the prevailing atmosphere is sultry with sex; the middle-aged reader, at least, may find the performance as a whole both strained and wearisome.” H. W. Boynton
+ − Bookm 51:343 My ’20 240w
“This novel cannot be commended as a work of art. The story does not grip, several of its chapters are so episodic that they might be suppressed without loss, and the male characters are not men, but marionettes.”
− Cath World 111:700 Ag ’20 190w
“To hold the serious attention of serious readers through nearly five hundred pages argues at once a kinship with the wealthy mind of the true novelist. And such a kinship Miss Spadoni undoubtedly possesses.”
+ − Nation 110:208 F 14 ’20 300w
“Miss Spadoni’s imagination sends forth into a real, three-dimensioned world a troop of pale characters cursed with congenital indistinctness doomed from birth to wander unrecognisably in the fog of a common origin.” R. L.
− New Repub 23:209 Jl 14 ’20 500w
“It is sincerely conceived and written, it shows grasp of character and its development, and it unfolds its story interestingly. It has also its distinct crudities, technically and ethically. Like others of its numerous kind, its prolonged emphasis upon sex will condemn it for a large body of readers who will feel that it gives a distorted and unhealthy view of life.”
+ − N Y Evening Post p2 F 14 ’20 600w
“Any sincere study of ‘the woman alone’—to use Brieux’s phrase—is bound to be interesting, bound, indeed, to have a certain amount of value. In ‘The swing of the pendulum’ there is much that is crude, but there is real thought, real study and some vividness.”
+ − N Y Times 25:134 Mr 21 ’20 750w
“Miss Spadoni has done some notable work in the past. Some of her short stories were of men and women, futile, and sordid, but she cut down beneath the events of their lives to the poetry of life. She has not, in ‘The swing of the pendulum’ kept the pace which she set herself in those tales.” Lucy Huffaker
+ − Pub W 97:175 Ja 17 ’20 700w
“There are evidences of cuts which in places make for uncertainty of delineation—the only blemish of an otherwise almost perfect work of its kind.”
+ − Survey 44:385 Je 12 ’20 150w
SPARGO, JOHN. “Greatest failure in all history.” *$2.50 (2c) Harper 947
20–14005
In this “critical examination of the actual workings of bolshevism in Russia” (Sub-title) the author claims to have assembled evidence which “must compel every honest believer in freedom and democracy to condemn bolshevism as a vicious and dangerous form of reaction, subversive of every form of progress and every agency of civilization and enlightenment,” and to show it up as “the curse which during less than thirty months has afflicted unhappy Russia with greater ills than fifty years of czarism.” (Preface) Contents: Why have the bolsheviki retained power? The soviets; The soviets under the bolsheviki; The undemocratic soviet state; The peasants and the land; The bolsheviki and the peasants; The red terror; Industry under soviet control; The nationalization of industry (I-II); Freedom of press and assembly: “The dictatorship of the proletariat”; State communism and labor conscription; Let the verdict be rendered; Documents; Index.
“Although most of the evidence carries its own weight the disinterested reader will wish in many cases for some critical evaluation of authorities cited.”
+ − Booklist 17:55 N ’20
“Mr Spargo is a Socialist, and it is because he considers the doctrines of Lenin and his followers a ‘grotesque travesty of Marx’s teachings,’ and a blow to socialism, and the arch enemy of all democracy, political, and industrial, that he exposes it as it is. This is the great merit of the book. It compels the reader to look at bolshevism as it is.” F. W. C.
+ Boston Transcript p4 Ag 28 ’20 680w
“His latest volume attains a level of even greater detachment and cool judgment than its predecessors. The first uprush of hot revulsion of feeling against a false and violent philosophy, masked in the forms of the author’s own cause, has passed. Attacks upon the personal characters of bolshevist leaders are practically absent. The argument gains greatly in strength from this avoidance of personal invective.” M. W. Davis
+ N Y Evening Post p4 S 25 ’20 780w
“Mr Spargo’s book is a stern book, but a just one. It was much needed, and it is especially timely now.” W: C. Redfield
+ N Y Times p6 Ag 8 ’20 2650w Springf’d Republican p8 N 16 ’20 180w + The Times [London] Lit Sup p655 O 7 ’20 30w Wis Lib Bul 16:235 D ’20 80w
SPARGO, JOHN. Russia as an American problem. *$2.25 (2c) Harper 947
20–3715
The author is a sworn enemy of Bolshevist rule and thinks that Russia is not ready for anything like a socialist state, lacking industrial development as she does. “At present she needs capital and capitalist enterprise.” This makes Russia an American problem and “there should be a very clear recognition, alike by the government and the people of the United States, of the great and far-reaching importance of securing for this country a very large share in the immense volume of trade which Russia’s recovery and economic reconstruction must inevitably produce.” Contents: Russia as an American problem; Russia and western civilization: Russia’s subjection to Germany; Japan as Germany’s successor; Japan and Siberia; Russia’s needs and resources; Postscriptum; extensive appendices and an index.
+ Booklist 16:276 My ’20 Lit D p95 My 1 ’20 1400w
“The ultimate political advantage for the world of a Russia free from economic vassalage to militaristic neighbors is obvious, but Mr Spargo’s case would be equally strong if he did not magnify the danger of Russia’s position; for whatever may be the reality of Japan’s menace in Siberia the threat from Germany to European Russia or of a German-Japanese alliance belongs for the present in the realm of imagination.” Jacob Zeitlin
+ − Nation 110:730 My 29 ’20 2000w + N Y Evening Post p3 Ap 10 ’20 1250w
“Mr Spargo’s study is vitally interesting and illuminating, and it contains a wealth of precise information which will be priceless to business men in many lines when the time comes for meeting German commercial rivalry in her new Mitteleuropa.” J: Corbin
+ N Y Times 25:127 Mr 21 ’20 1600w
“Vital and patriotic book.”
+ N Y Times 25:196 Ap 18 ’20 100w Springf’d Republican p10 Ap 9 ’20 620w
Reviewed by Reed Lewis
Survey 44:51 Ap 3 ’20 200w
SPEARS, RAYMOND SMILEY. River prophet. il *$1.50 (1c) Doubleday
20–10310
A story of the “Old Mississip” and of the vagrant population—shanty boaters, pot hunters, river pirates—that lives upon its broad waters. Parson Elijah Rasba, from the mountains, floats down the Tug river to the Big Sandy, down the Big Sandy to the Ohio, down the Ohio and out onto the great river, where he exclaims “If this is the Mississippi what must the Jordan be!” Parson Elijah is seeking a lost soul, Jock Drones, whose mammy wants him back in the mountains, and so he joins the motley throng that goes “dropping down” the lower river. Among the other characters are Nelia Carline, who has left her husband, Gus Carline, the husband in pursuit of her, Lester Terabon, a newspaper man in search of copy, Mame Coape of the many divorces, Buck the river gambler, and Jock Drones, the lost soul who turns back to his mammy.
+ |Booklist 17:160 Ja ’21
SPENCE, LEWIS. Legends and romances of Spain. il *$6.50 Stokes 863
20–26986
The literature of the romantic period in Spain treated by a folk-lorist, who says, “Since the days of Southey the romantic literature of Spain has not received from English writers and critics the amount of study and attention it undoubtedly deserves.... I have made an earnest endeavour to provide English readers with a conspectus of Spanish romantic literature as expressed in its cantares de gesta, its chivalric novels, its romanceros or ballads, and some of its lighter aspects. The reader will find full accounts and summaries of all the more important works under each of these heads, many of which have never before been described in English.” (Preface) Among the chapters are: The sources of Spanish romance; “Amadis de Gaul”; Catalonian romances; Moorish romances of Spain; Tales of Spanish magic and sorcery; Humorous romances of Spain. There are illustrations and a brief bibliography.
“It is an honest attempt to interest the general reader in a delightful department of literature. A book of this sort is in special need of an index, especially as there are no detailed ‘Contents,’ only general chapter-headings. But though there is a useful short bibliography, there is no index at all.” G: Saintsbury
+ − Ath p516 O 15 ’20 900w + Booklist 17:107 D ’20 Outlook 127:32 Ja 5 ’21 60w
“Extremely readable.”
+ Spec 125:784 D 11 ’20 60w
“The attractive page, the good print, the popular treatment, the fine coloured illustrations, render it exactly suitable for a present to an intelligent youth of either sex, while the accounts and summaries of all the important works under the various headings provide a real fund of instructive information.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p586 S 9 ’20 100w
“‘Legends and romances of Spain’ is not only a story book. There is a great deal of information in it and some real research. It is not quite up to date, perhaps.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p833 D 9 ’20 660w
SPENCE, THOMAS, and others. Pioneers of land reform. *$1.50 Knopf 333
This book is one of the series of economic reprints of the famous Bohn libraries. It contains an introduction by M. Beer, characterizing and comparing the three essays. The essays are: The real rights of man, by Thomas Spence; The right of property in land, by William Ogilive; and Agrarian justice, by Thomas Paine.
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p195 Mr 25 ’20 1200w
SPENDER, HAROLD. Prime minister. il *$4 Doran
20–22843
In writing this biography the author has drawn upon “the memories of twenty-seven years of unbroken friendship” and in summing up the characteristics of his friend he says: “It is this combination of the slow qualities, with the swift—of judgment with daring, of mercy with rigour, of slow reflection with swift attack, of the zeal of the Cambrian with the shrewdness of the Fleming—that marks him off from so many of his race.” The first thirteen chapters are devoted to Lloyd George’s childhood and youth and earlier career up to the beginning of the war and the rest of the contents is: A war man (1914–1915); East or west? (1915); Serbia (1915): Munitions (1915): The new ministry of munitions; Premiership (1916); The saving of Italy; The Versailles council; Victory; The peace conference; The new world; The man; Highways and byways; Through foreign eyes. There are illustrations, appendices and an index.
“This record has the force of an autobiography rather than of a detached appraisal.”
+ Booklist 17:29 O ’20
Reviewed by D: J. Hill
+ Bookm 52:163 O ’20 1800w Boston Transcript p6 Je 23 ’20 1800w
“The book is pitched in a high dithyrambic key which is too laboriously sustained to be convincing and at last becomes exasperating. The literary frills are, moreover, a trifle cheap and shabby. Either the whole thing is the most flagrant and therefore self-defeating sort of pamphleteering or Mr Spender’s once robust literary sense is suffering a sad decline.” R: Roberts
− Freeman 1:571 Ag 25 ’20 1650w
“Mr Spender’s portrait of the Prime Minister can claim in one respect only to be a faithful one. It is Mr Lloyd George as he appears to himself—not to his Maker. Not merely by false interpretation of events but by false attribution of qualities and acquirements Mr Spender fabricates his hero.” J. A. Hobson
− Nation 111:sup415 O 13 ’20 1400w
“It has none of the detached judgment of a historical appraisal of a completed career. Instead it has the militant interest of a brief presented in behalf of one of the most brilliant statesmen of modern times. It is not biography in the highest form of that art nor is it great literature. But Mr Spender’s work is not cheapened or vitiated by unseeing eulogy of his subject.” W: L. Chenery
+ N Y Times 25:3 Je 27 ’20 3550w
“Mr Spender knows no discrimination in his eulogy: whatever his hero has done is not only right but so conspicuously right that it needs neither apology nor explanation. The best we can honestly say of ‘The prime minister’ is that it will serve as a quarry from which some future biographer may draw useful materials.”
− + Spec 124:427 Mr 27 ’20 750w Springf’d Republican p9a Jl 4 ’20 800w
“Much the most satisfactory part of the book is that which describes Mr Lloyd George’s birth and upbringing, his early political activities, his entry into Parliament, and the brilliant fighting years in which he marked himself out as a certain minister of the crown. The history of his career as a minister down to the outbreak of war is vague and scrappy and generally inadequate.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p189 Mr 18 ’20 350w
SPOFFORD, HARRIET ELIZABETH (PRESCOTT) (MRS RICHARD S. SPOFFORD). Elder’s people. il *$1.75 (2c) Houghton
20–5405
Through these stories of old New England we look into the hearts of the country people, hear their gossip, learn to know their homely religion, their superstitions, see the struggles they have with their baser selves and glimpse their higher natures. We also learn to love the sturdy souls that recur in all the stories and embody the best that is in them all—Elder Perry, Old Steve, Miss Mahala, and others. The stories are: The deacon’s whistle; A change of heart; A rural telephone; The step-father; John-a-dreams; Miss Mahala’s miracle; An old fiddler; The blessing called peace; Father James; The impossible choice; A village dressmaker; Miss Mahala’s will; A life in a night; Miss Mahala and Johnny.
“Undramatic, but interesting.”
+ Booklist 16:314 Je ’20 + Lit D p102 O 23 ’20 1200w
“Mrs Spofford is not by any means a great craftsman, her limitations are quite evident, but within her power—and she is never unduly anxious to achieve what is beyond her—she provides some interesting and entertaining bits of fiction.”
+ − N Y Evening Post p2 Ap 10 ’20 480w
“The series of short stories which makes up this chronicle contains nothing particularly new or striking, but the tales have quite a good deal of verisimilitude, and some of the characters are likable.”
+ N Y Times 25:198 Ap 18 ’20 280w Outlook 124:657 Ap 14 ’20 20w
“Mrs Spofford has finely and strongly delineated a number of choice spirits here whom one will not easily forget. She has also incorporated much of the quiet humor of this type of people, and, all in all, has presented here not an especially great book but a very interesting one.”
+ Springf’d Republican p11a My 9 ’20 250w
SPRING RICE, SIR CECIL ARTHUR. Poems. *$3 Longmans 821
20–17907
“Mr Bernard Holland reminds us in his preface that the late ambassador to the United States published two books in his lifetime, a book of verse with interludes in poetic prose ‘adapted from the Persian’ and a prose version of a Persian love tale with a veiled mystical meaning. Besides the Persian sonnets this volume contains ‘In memoriam, A. C. M. L.,’ and a number of miscellaneous poems.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
“His poems are like his personality and please us by some charm which is not quite analysable. They are strangely different from the work of most men of action. There are only a few poems in this book which are absolutely bad, but, on the other hand, there is probably none which is not marked by some flaw.”
+ − Spec 125:782 D 11 ’20 850w + Springf’d Republican p7a N 28 ’20 720w (Reprinted from The Times [London] Lit Sup O 14 ’20) The Times [London] Lit Sup p654 O 7 ’20 90w
“They are true poetry. The volume may not add one to the list of great English sonnets; but the beauty and the sincerity of these claim attention.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p664 O 14 ’20 720w
SPYRI, FRAU JOHANNA (HEUSSER). Cornelli; tr. by Elisabeth P. Stork. (Stories all children love ser.) il *$1.50 (3½c) Lippincott
20–17408
In his introduction to this story for children Charles Wharton Stork regrets that its author should be known for one of her books only, altho that one is the justly popular “Heidi.” In the present story, he thinks “we find a deeper treatment of character, combined with equal spirit and humor of a different kind.” It is the story of a happy-hearted little Swiss girl who is changed into a sullen, morose and unattractive child through the misunderstanding of two women in whose care her father leaves her. A woman of different type, the mother of a family of four, finds the secret of Cornelli’s unhappiness and brings back the old sunny disposition.
“There is a breath of the mountain freshness which suggests ‘Heidi.’ The translation of the children’s speeches into formal English gives them sometimes a rather stilted effect.”
+ − Booklist 17:163 Ja ’21
SPYRI, FRAU JOHANNA (HEUSSER). Toni, the little wood-carver; tr. by Helen B. Dole. il *$1 (9c) Crowell
20–15071
From earliest childhood Toni had carved animals out of wood and his dearest ambition is to be a wood-carver. But the cost of instruction is beyond his mother’s means and he is sent up into the mountains to herd the farmer’s cows. Here, overcome by the loneliness, he breaks down and falls into a lethargy from which nothing arouses him. He is taken to a great sanitarium where he finally recovers and finds a good friend who provides the money for the desired training.
Wis Lib Bul 16:199 N ’20 90w
SQUIRE, JOHN COLLINGS (SOLOMON EAGLE, pseud.). Birds, and other poems. *$1.25 Doran 821
(Eng ed A20–244)
Birds, the first poem of this collection is based on the thought that the birds are older than man and that in the days of his infancy they built their nests in the self-same way and with the same perfection they do today. The other poems are: Processes of thought, Airship over suburb, Harlequin, Winter nightfall, Two songs, and A far place.
“‘The birds’ is an interesting poem full of felicitous things. But it seems somehow to lack intensity. The three poems called ‘Processes of thought’ are naturally more personal, more intimately felt; for they are a record of introspection. In these we seem to be getting nearer our ideal of what the lyric inspired by science or philosophy should be like.” A. L. H.
+ − Ath p783 Ag 22 ’19 1000w
“His nature minutæ, his tenderness, his color are Wordsworthian, with a drama, a music, a diamond-cut-diamond quality, as well as a quality of the noblest oratory, that the old bard never knew.”
+ Bookm 52:367 D ’20 280w
“The poem after which the collection takes its name has a common idea but one which Mr Squire expresses with uncommon vigor and suggestion. The advantage of Mr Squire over the average American poet of similar gifts is his ability to express sentiment without sentimentalizing the mood.” W: S. Braithwaite
+ − Boston Transcript p9 D 1 ’20 1500w
“The difficulty with his poetry, for there is a difficulty—lies in the unfortunate fact, that despite the obvious care he lavishes upon it, it is too lax, too impersonal. Like everyone else who has something new to say, Mr Squire has discovered that a new idea depends on a new form of utterance being found to fit it. It is only a pity that he has so few new ideas, and that he is content instead with writing poems in which neither the idea—nor the utterance—is of the slightest importance.” J: G. Fletcher
− + Freeman 2:284 D 1 ’20 900w
“His head is clearer than his poetry is fine; he is sober, and he has a vein of reflection not wholly resembling other men’s, but the strength that he has displayed rather than implied, and his metaphors, of which he apparently is proud, are painfully overdeveloped.”
− + Nation 112:86 Ja 19 ’21 80w
“The writing of verse is only one of Mr Squire’s innumerable activities, and yet he is a poet of no small talent. Unlike most of his brother Georgians, he is at his best when he is most metaphysical. At his best he is fantastically powerful; at his worst he is florid and bombastic. The present volume shows him more in the latter mood.”
+ − N Y Evening Post p11 N 6 ’20 180w
“Mr Squire in his present volume has lost none of that quiet controlled distinction which was always his; but he seems to have got rid of the rather hard, metallic note which was noticeable in some of his former work. The most remarkable poem of the book is called ‘A far place.’ To us it seems one of the most original and absolutely successful and complete poems that Mr Squire has ever written.”
+ Spec 123:376 S 20 ’19 620w
“This little book is not merely a joy in itself and additional to what is now a considerable body of work, but extremely rich in promise.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p409 Jl 31 ’19 980w
SQUIRE, JOHN COLLINGS (SOLOMON EAGLE, pseud.). Books in general. (2nd ser.) *$2.50 (3½c) Knopf 824
20–16289
This is the second series of short essays, reviews and squibs on books and writers, collected from weekly contributions to the New Statesman. They are brilliant, witty and full of originality. Some of the topics are: The descendants of Shakespeare; Scientific management for Pegasus; The inferior poems of Keats; One’s favourite author defined; Shelley’s letters; The essay in America; The humours of hymnology; Dialect in literature; Verhaeren; On submitting manuscripts; Rupert Brooke in retrospect.
Booklist 17:107 D ’20
“Even more interesting than technical success, in this sort of thing, is the quality of mind we see at work. Mr Squire has an admirable sanity.” K. F. Gerould
+ Bookm 52:263 N ’20 780w
“Mr Squire’s style is distinctly conversational. The fluent grace of such table-talk, however, neatly disposes of the adage that all men talk in prose.”
+ Dial 69:665 D ’20 70w
“Somehow the sense of leisure in ‘Books in general’ is not richly filled; the notations are too fluent, the writing lacks spring, and more often than not it lacks the effect of enjoyment. Scarcely one of his papers can be read without expectancy. But the promise is seldom fulfilled.” C. M. R.
− Freeman 2:382 D 29 ’20 210w
“The comments on books, politics and things in general are thoughtful, amusing and suggestive, worth reading and thinking about.”
+ Ind 104:68 O 9 ’20 320w
“They are informative, witty, often merely playful. Critical acumen is shown at times, but more often the evident purpose of the papers is to amuse.”
+ N Y Times p10 O 8 ’20 550w
“Mr Squire mentions books and publications from this country only for the purpose of jeering at them; it is gently done, but still a jeer. ‘Books in general,’ however, includes such pleasing essays ... that most of us will forgive ‘Solomon Eagle’ for tweaking a feather or two of the American eagle’s tail.” E. L. Pearson
+ − Review 3:229 S 15 ’20 180w
Reviewed by P. U. Kellogg
+ Survey 45:27 O 2 ’20 680w
STARLING, ERNEST HENRY. Feeding of nations. *$1.90 (*5s) Longmans 338.1
20–666
“This small book of one hundred forty-five pages contains a vast store of information concerning the principles of human nutrition and the application of these principles to the problem of feeding the community in times of peace and war.” (N Y Evening Post) “Dr Starling was chairman of the Food committee of the Royal society which took up the study of the problem of feeding the nation before the government realized that there was a problem, and afterwards scientific adviser to the ministry of food.” (Survey)
“An extremely able and attractive presentation of a difficult subject.”
+ N Y Evening Post p5 Mr 20 ’20 500w + Survey 43:656 F 28 ’20 1050w
STEARNS, HAROLD EDMUND. Liberalism in America: its origin, its temporary collapse, its future. *$1.75 (2½c) Boni & Liveright 321.8
20–1878
“The core of liberal philosophy” writes the author, “is respect for the individual and his freedom of conscience and opinion.” To trace the foundations of this philosophy in America and to account for its complete break-down during the war is the main purpose of this book. The ten chapter titles are: What liberalism is; The English heritage and the American development; American liberalism to the eve of the war; The emotional breakdown before warhysteria; Timidity and the seductions of office or career; President Wilson, the technique of liberal failure; Political symbolism and the mob; Débâcle of pragmatism; Leadership; The future. A bibliography of two pages follows. The author was formerly associate editor of the Dial.
“His plea for tolerance is marked by intolerance, for good-nature with ungenerosity in weighing the motives of others, for nonpartisanship and detachment with evident animus and one-sided advocacy rather than fairness and breadth of vision. Hence the value of the work as a critique of American liberalism is very seriously impaired for the general reader and the serious student.” C. E. Merriam
− Am Pol Sci R 14:511 Ag ’20 520w
“While one cannot altogether agree with the conclusions of the author of this extremely readable exposition of liberalism, the arguments are in most cases clear, and fairly presented.”
+ − Bookm 52:173 O ’20 200w
“But for all the flat contradictions with which the book seems to abound, it is interesting for the variety of subjects of current interest it touches notwithstanding the author does not seem to have completely assimilated these—as, indeed, who has? One thing that can be said about the book in general is that it is liberal.” W. A. M.
− + Boston Transcript p6 F 25 ’20 800w
“Herein lies the fundamental weakness of the discussion. One gathers no clearly defined impression of what liberalism is or expects to do, and who are the liberals. Mr Stearns writes impassionately and with a refreshing verve that carries the reader headlong with him.”
+ − Cath World 111:254 My ’20 340w Ind 102:234 My 8 ’20 170w
“One inclines to a wish that the writer had brought to his task a little more sympathy, a little more humility, and a great deal more information, and the wish becomes very strong when one reaches his discussion of Mr Wilson. In a considered estimate by a liberal thinker one looks for a fair and balanced examination of causes and results. Mr Stearns simplifies the president’s problems so that any departmental clerk might have overcome them. He imputes low motives without the least apparent justification.” Jacob Zeitlin
− Nation 110:238 F 21 ’20 850w
“The book is of great value. Its analysis of American tendencies is more balanced and inclusive than any contemporary work upon the subject.” C. W.
+ N Y Call p6 Ja 9 ’21 230w
Reviewed by W. J. Ghent
− Review 2:229 Mr 6 ’20 1150w R of Rs 61:336 Mr ’20 50w
“It is no engaging picture of our American war mind that Mr Stearns paints, and twenty months ago it would have been hotly resented by the great majority of our people. That the average man of intelligence is likely to find himself mainly in agreement with it now (although he may hesitate to admit the fact, even to himself) is the best evidence that the picture is essentially true.” F: A. Ogg
+ Survey 44:308 My 29 ’20 350w
“As a volume of broad discussions, enriched by much reflection on books and events, and by brilliant insight into motives, this book is a success. Yet as an ordered analysis of the basic problem of liberty the book fails, and its chief value will be lost unless it becomes the starting point of a much needed discussion.” G: Soule
+ − Yale R n s 10:197 O ’20 500w
STEBBING, EDWARD PERCY. Diary of a sportsman naturalist in India. il *$5 Lane 799
20–22627
This diary is published with a purpose. The author says: “The sporting anecdotes and material selected from my note-books, which form the greater part of the book, are designed to lead up to and emphasize the necessity which exists of affording an adequate protection to the game and other animals of India.” (Preface) The book is in two parts: Sport in the big game jungles of India; and Game protection and the provision of sanctuaries for the preservation of the Indian fauna. There are illustrations from photographs and sketches by the author and others.
“He describes his experiences fairly graphically, although, after a few pages, we have too much confidence in his shooting to be seriously alarmed for him.”
+ − Ath p473 O 8 ’20 260w
“There is a chapter on ‘Jungle lore,’ and several real tiger stories that outdo most of those common to fiction. All the photographs are very good, and the little pen and ink drawings, which are the productions of five different persons, while not equal to Mr Seton’s, carry their own individuality, and give new life to the already entertaining text.”
+ Boston Transcript p2 D 11 ’20 210w
“A most interesting collection of reminiscences. His tiger stories are capital.”
+ Spec 124:245 Ag 21 ’20 250w
“As a faithful account of conditions as they have been during the last quarter of a century, Mr Stebbing’s book is likely to have a definite and permanent value; and he knows well how to entertain as well as to instruct.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p497 Ag 5 ’20 750w
STEELE, DAVID MCCONNELL. Papers and essays for churchmen; being a series of studies on topics made timely by current events. *$1.50 (2½c) Jacobs 204
20–1134
The only unity that the author claims for this collection of papers is that “they were all written to be read either to or by churchmen.” (Foreword) The author’s mental tenor is conservative and his thinking along the lines of his convictions is vigorous. He holds that the war has dispelled the mist of immoral emotionalism that had begun to envelop the churches, a form of this emotionalism being the literal interpretation of “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” He repudiates woman’s suffrage as wholly bad, hurls anathema against labor organisations and socialism and advises that the poor, as the “economically sick,” are properly the charges, not of the church, but of the state. The contents are: Effect of the war on religion; Wanted, an American Sunday; Woman suffrage and religion; Men’s clubs and the churches; The poor, with you always; The church and labor agitation; Socialism—Christian and pagan; Revelation—final or progressive; The Episcopal church; Change of name of the church; Proportionate representation.
STEELE, HARWOOD ELMES ROBERT.[[2]] Canadians in France, 1915–1918: with 8 sketch maps. il *$8 Dutton 940.371
(Eng ed 20–10382)
“A detailed history of the operations of the Canadian Army corps, consisting of four divisions and ‘corps troops.’ In writing this account Captain Steele is describing in the main events that occurred under his own observation in 1915 to the close of the war in 1918.”—R of Rs
“Captain Steele has the gift of clear, straightforward description; and there is little to be desired in the succinctness and clarity with which he etches in a number of Homeric incidents.”
+ Ath p816 Je 18 ’20 80w + Boston Transcript p8 D 1 ’20 420w R of Rs 62:671 D ’20 60w
“Captain Steele’s book is admirably written and full of vivid detail.”
+ Spec 124:49 Jl 10 ’20 200w
STEINER, RUDOLF. Four mystery plays. 2v *$3 Putnam 832
20–6848
H. Collison, one of the translators of these plays, describes them as representing “the psychic development of man up to the moment when he is able to pierce the veil and see into the beyond.” (Introd.) They embody the author’s occult philosophy and form one continuous series. The characters are represented on their physical as well as on their spiritual plane and include many types—the occult leader, the seeress, the artist, scientist, philosopher, historian, mystic, and man of the world, also the forces of evil in Lucifer and Ahriman. Collaborators with the translator are S. M. K. Gandell and R. T. Gladstone. The plays are: The portal of initiation; The soul’s probation; The guardian of the threshold; The soul’s awakening.
“‘Four mystery plays’ will doubtless command the attention of the author’s disciples, but they are too formidable to win the interest of the average outsider. The blank verse translation is adequate, but hardly inspired.”
+ − Dial 69:321 S ’20 70w
“The only advantage gained by the play form is, perhaps, a little simplicity in the treatment of very abstract subjects.”
− + Springf’d Republican p7a N 28 ’20 180w The Times [London] Lit Sup p780 N 25 ’20 110w
STEPHENS, JAMES.[[2]] Irish fairy tales. il *$5 (6½) Macmillan
20–21207
The first of these ancient folk-tales tells of the subduing of Tuan mac Cairill, the powerful heathen, by Finnian, the Abbott of Moville. Finnian lays siege to Tuan’s stronghold by seating himself before its gates and fasting. Heathen etiquette forbade the attack of a defenceless man and heathen hospitality a man’s starving before the gates. So Finnian is admitted and at once proceeds to convert Tuan. Thereupon Tuan, the grandson of Noah, tells his story which dates back to the beginning of time in Ireland and is wonderful indeed. The other tales are: The boyhood of Fionn; The birth of Bran; Oisin’s mother; The wooing of Becfola; The little brawl at Allen; The Carl of the drab coat; The enchanted cave of Cesh Corran; Becuma of the white skin; Mongan’s frenzy. The full page illustrations in color and the chapter vignettes are by Arthur Rackham.
“This book is written by a man who has a touch a little beyond talent.” R. E. Roberts
+ Ath sup p783 D 3 ’20 180w + Booklist 17:164 Ja ’21
“It is unfortunate that in the arrangement of his book he does not give greater heed to the various cycles in which nearly all Irish stories belong. But lack of unity is almost the only adverse criticism that can be brought against the book. Mr Stephens has re-told Irish legends in a volume that should take a permanent place in literature.” N. J. O’Conor
+ − Boston Transcript p3 D 18 ’20 1350w
“James Stephens’ writing has the gift of everlasting youth. Arthur Rackham’s drawings have inherent magic. Wherefore the two are fortunately met in a new book, primarily for children, but also full of appeal to grown-ups with a sense of humor.”
+ Ind 103:442 D 25 ’20 90w
“Though some of the stories as told by Mr Stephens appear to be more in the nature of historic legends rather than fairy tales, the collection provides good reading in which humour of a subtle kind abounds.”
+ Int Studio 72:206 Ja ’21 60w
“There is enough of the hard line of beauty in his work to make one rejoice in its amplitude.” F. H.
+ New Repub 25:111 D 22 ’20 1700w
“Humor shines, here, riots in wild fancy, extravagance rides by the side of beauty.” Hildegarde Hawthorne
+ N Y Times p8 D 19 ’20 60w
“Stephens has put a lot of himself into the telling of these tales; they are moulded by his story-telling instinct, given finish by his English and burnished by his humor.” D. W. Webster
+ Pub W 98:1200 O 16 ’20 200w
“Children may enjoy it, but, like Arthur Rackham’s exquisite illustrations, it will be fully appreciated only by more sophisticated readers.” E. L. Pearson
+ Review 3:619 D 22 ’20 170w + Spec 125:784 D 11 ’20 60w
“There is much good narrative, much humour, and, usually, unstrained simplicity in the book, but above all there are passages of enchanting beauty.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p830 D 9 ’20 310w
STERRETT, FRANCES ROBERTA. Nancy goes to town. *$2 (5c) Appleton
20–18766
Nancy goes to town to take nurses’ training, telling all her friends in Mifflin that she intends to marry a rich patient. She meets two rich patients, one an old woman, the other an old man. The two are business rivals and they become rivals also for Nancy’s favor. One has a nephew, the other a grandson, both put forward as candidates for Nancy’s hand. So the rich husband is within her reach, but Nancy chooses, after some faltering, to marry Dr Rolf Jensen, the poor young doctor.
“The description of hospital life from the point of view of a lively girl, with quick wit and a keen sense of humor, is capital.”
+ N Y Times p24 Ja 16 ’21 420w
STEVENS, WILLIAM OLIVER, and WESTCOTT, ALLAN FERGUSON. History of sea power. il *$6 Doran 359
20–18945
This volume covers the evolution and influence of sea power from the beginnings to the present time and treats naval history not from the point of view of a sequence of battles but as a vital force in the rise and fall of nations and in the evolution of civilization. It traces its beginnings from the Island of Crete in the Mediterranean long before the dawn of history to its present significance. The book is indexed, has a list of references at the end of each chapter and ninety-six maps, diagrams and illustrations. Contents: The beginnings of navies; Athens as a sea power; The sea power of Rome; The navies of the middle ages (two chapters); Opening the ocean routes; Sea power in the North; England and the Armada; Rise of English sea power (two chapters); Napoleonic wars (three chapters); Revolution in naval warfare; Rivalry for world power; The world war (three chapters); Conclusion.
“Though surprisingly condensed, an informative and authoritative work.”
+ Booklist 17:143 Ja ’21
“It is a more objective and less theoretical study [than Mahan’s ‘Influence of sea power on history,’] with more interest for the general reader; in addition to which it is a convenient reference book.”
+ Springf’d Republican p8a D 5 ’20 620w
STEVENSON, GEORGE. Benjy. *$1.75 (*7s) (2c) Lane
20–5234
The book recounts the fortunes of the Ainsworth family from the time when young Dr Ainsworth drives his bride Priscilla home in the gig, to the coming of the children—up to the number of thirteen—with its resultant poverty; and the varied careers and fortunes of all these in turn. Benjy, the youngest, his mother’s favorite, follows his father into the medical profession. Outwardly his life is drab, all its important happenings being of the nature of disappointments. The more brilliantly endowed brother, Basil, wins and weds Benjy’s own beloved Clara who dies in childbirth through Basil’s light-hearted want of foresight. When Uncle Benjy adopts little Clara to save her from a bad step-mother, death robs him of her also. Then comes the war and offers him a welcome escape from himself.
“It is only when the children grow older and come into touch with the world that Mr Stevenson fails lamentably. The quaint, old-fashioned children are replaced by plain, strange young men and women, and the author in his effort to convince us of Benjy’s purity of heart pours over him such a great pale flood of sentimentality that he is drowned before our eyes.” K. M.
+ − Ath p1371 D 19 ’19 420w
Reviewed by R. M. Underhill
+ Bookm 51:443 Je ’20 130w
“An almost masterly understanding of human (and English) limitations pervades the story. It is told always with a sure judgment and reticence.”
+ Boston Transcript p4 My 19 ’20 130w
“A calm tale; interesting incident and fairly interesting characters, but no particular point.”
+ − Ind 103:323 S 11 ’20 20w
“Such is the charm of Mr Stevenson’s insouciant style that we lose consciousness of the fact that we are listening to an ‘author.’ The author’s powers of characterization are, in fact, responsible for a minor fault in ‘Benjy’—the diffusing of interest in too many characters.”
+ − N Y Times p25 Ag 1 ’20 550w Outlook 124:657 Ap 14 ’20 20w
“It is well conceived and full of appreciation of individual character.”
+ Sat R 129:234 Mr 6 ’20 60w
“Though the reader may become rather bewildered in trying to follow each particular thread, the book is illuminated with many of the author’s quiet touches of humour and is written with his usual distinction of style.”
+ − Spec 124:53 Ja 10 ’20 60w The Times [London] Lit Sup p633 N 6 ’19 80w
STEVENSON, ROBERT LOUIS BALFOUR. Learning to write; ed. by J: W: Rogers, jr. *$1.35 Scribner 808
20–6692
“This book is a compilation of everything R. L. S. has said on writing, both in his essays on literary art and in the casual observations made in his letters.”—Booklist
+ Booklist 16:306 Je ’20 + Freeman 2:94 O 6 ’20 380w
“You cannot learn much about electricity by watching the lightning in the thunder cloud. Even if Stevenson did teach himself to write as he says he did, which is nothing more than an improbable hypothesis, reading his extremely characteristic and technically complex descriptions of his methods will not help a single youngster out of the toils and troubles of the early days of his probation.” W: McFee
− N Y Evening Post p9 My 8 ’20 1300w
“It is to be feared that Stevenson’s confidences in regard to his own literary processes have done all too much to foster hope in the bosom of ‘would-be’ authors.... One is inclined to take it with several grains of salt.” R: Le Gallienne
+ − N Y Times 25:8 Je 27 ’20 2250w + School R 28:628 O ’20 110w
“Likely to prove a gold mine of interesting information not only to aspiring writers, but to people who are interested in books as well.”
+ Springf’d Republican p8 Jl 24 ’20 240w
STEWART, BASIL. Japanese color prints and the subjects they illustrate. il *$20 Dodd 761
“Mr Stewart knows just what collectors of Japanese prints want and do not want. But they want a handbook of 300–odd pages, with reproductions of signatures, lists of important sets, chronological tables, brief biographical information; of handy format and popular style. And such is the book before us. There are a glossary, a chapter on ‘Forgeries and imitations,’ another on ‘Actor prints’ in general, and an excursus on the ‘Forty-seven rōnins’ in history and on the stage.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
“It is no serious condemnation to say that ‘Japanese colour prints’ is not the book on Japanese colour prints for which we are all looking.”
+ − Int Studio 72:33 N ’20 200w
“The ground covered is so vast that the treatment in certain cases inevitably seems somewhat cursory. One or two inaccuracies may be noted.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p464 Jl 22 ’20 640w
STEWART, WENTWORTH. Making of a nation. $1.50 (3c) Stratford co. 325.7
20–3491
In this discussion of Americanism and Americanization the author holds that we cannot make American citizens of aliens by formal educational programs, that we must take into consideration the psychology of Americanization and treat Americanism as a thing of the spirit rather than of naturalization papers. Certain undesirable features in our alien population—such as foreign language newspapers, religious worship in a foreign tongue—should be treated by a process of elimination rather than coercion, while “all anarchistic agitators,” and unamerican labor agitators should be summarily dealt with. As one of the educational factors for Americanization a modified form of the open forum is recommended. Contents: The nation’s awakening; The nation’s task of unification; Eliminating the handicaps to Americanism; Constructive government and nation building; Providing conditions for Americanism—or the application of constructive government; The neighborhood and the nation; International sentiment and nationalism.
STILL, JOHN. Poems in captivity. *$2 Lane 821
20–5612
The author discovered the poet in himself during his three years of captivity in Turkey, “where each one of us was driven to seek inside himself some alleviation of the daily dullness, many of us there found things we had not suspected to exist.... I found these verses, all of which were written there, and their discovery made more happy many of the eleven hundred and seventy-nine days I spent as a prisoner of war.” (Foreword) The poems are in five groups: Prison verses; Woodcraft and forest lore; Tales from the Mahawansa; Various songs and sketches. The frontispiece is a facsimile of a part of the ms. which was concealed in a hollow walking-stick, and some explanatory notes are appended.
“Mr Still’s work is undeniably interesting, and his chosen vehicle seems to be the right one.”
+ Ath p1018 O 10 ’19 100w Boston Transcript p4 Ap 21 ’20 280w
“He writes fluently and the Ceylonese legends that he relates are interesting in themselves, but his medium hardly ever touches the authentic heights of poetry.”
+ − N Y Times 25:16 Je 27 ’20 100w
“The merit of Mr Still’s work is that it gives aptly and agreeably a full, warm picture of scenes picturesque and historic.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p534 O 2 ’19 160w
STOCKBRIDGE, MRS BERTHA EDSON (LAY). What to drink; the blue book of beverages. il *$1.50 Appleton 641.8
20–2272
In these days of prohibition this book solves the hostess’ problem of what to serve to drink. All she needs is a stock of syrups, shrubs and vinegars, says the author. “If, however, she is inclined to think it an arduous task, let her turn to these recipes, and she will be convinced that the labor and the time expended bring their own reward in ... a delicious drink delightfully made.” (Foreword) The contents present an exhaustive array of recipes for fruitades and punches and drinks hot and cold—non-alcoholic cocktails, syrups, grape juice, root beer and cider, hot drinks such as coffee, chocolate, etc., drinks for invalids and children, sundaes and sauces, ice-creams, sherbets, etc. There is an index.
Booklist 17:18 O ’20 Springf’d Republican p13a Ap 18 ’20 250w The Times [London] Lit Sup p241 Ap 15 ’20 50w
STOCKBRIDGE, FRANK PARKER. Yankee ingenuity in the war. il *$2.50 Harper 623
20–8261
It was as a reaction of the author’s patriotic pride to the slanderous disparagements of America’s participation in the war that the book was written and for that reason it is limited to the consideration of distinctly American enterprise. It has, however, not been written for the scientist or the technologist, but for the average American, neither skilled nor interested in technical details. A partial list of the contents is: The mobilization of science and industry; The Liberty motor; American military airplanes; The chemical conquest of the air; Potash, sulphuric acid, and dyestuffs; Poison gas; Some extraordinary ship-building feats; Some Yankee tricks in undersea warfare; The wonders of war wireless; Medical and surgical achievements. The book is profusely illustrated from official photographs.
“Interesting and informative.”
+ Booklist 17:67 N ’20 Wis Lib Bul 16:234 D ’20 70w
STOCKLEY, CYNTHIA. Pink gods and blue demons. *$1.50 (9c) Doran
20–10303
A story of South Africa. The pink gods and blue demons are the lightning flashes of temptation from the facets of diamonds. Loree Temple, a young and much indulged wife, falls under their spell. Her husband has gone north on business leaving her alone in Kimberley. She falls under the spell of the diamonds and so into the power of the man who can give them to her. She is extricated through the loyalty and generosity of another woman, and, her lesson learned, goes to join her husband.
“The tale is interesting and moves swiftly forward to a sufficiently dramatic climax.”
+ N Y Times 25:320 Je 20 ’20 450w
“The story holds one’s attention closely.”
+ Outlook 125:507 Jl 14 ’20 50w
STOCKTON, JAMES LEROY. Project work in education. *$1.20 (3c) Houghton 371.3
20–14397
The book is one of the “Riverside educational monographs” edited by Henry Suzzallo. Its object is to show what can be done to replace the traditional teaching by isolated subjects by a more vital method built on a practical psychological basis. The project method in brief implies “learning to do by doing,” or “self-education through activities,” and is the result of the working-out of the most fundamental of modern educational principles. The book falls into two parts, considering project work both as a method and as a subject. Part I contains: The evolution of the principles underlying the project method; The transfer of the principles to America; Modern American principles of education; The project method in the modern public school; Project work in trade education. Part II contains: The evolution of the project subject; The broader conception of the content of the project subject; The necessity of more direct teaching of the project subject; Summary; Outline.
STODDARD, THEODORE LOTHROP. Rising tide of color against white world-supremacy; with an introd. by Madison Grant. *$3 Scribner 327
20–7502
“Mr Stoddard has written an analysis of the present-day relations of the white and colored races throughout the world. What he describes as the rising tide of the yellow, brown, black and red races is graphically described in a series of tersely written chapters. This is followed by an historical account of The ebbing tide of white, and the book concludes with brief chapters on The outer dikes, The inner dikes, and The crisis of the ages. Mr Stoddard’s immediate program, involving what he regards as ‘the irreducible minimum,’ calls for a thorough revision of the Versailles treaty and a provisional understanding by which the white races will give up their tacit assumption of domination over Asia, while the Asiatics forego their dreams of migration to the lands of white and other races. Without some such understanding Mr Stoddard looks forward to a race war on a world scale.”—R of Rs
“On the resurgence of Asia Mr Stoddard writes wisely, yielding neither to panic nor to ignorant optimism. His views on the future of his own North American continent display less sanity.”
+ − Ath p441 O 1 ’20 200w
“Interesting to read in connection with Du Bois’ ‘Darkwater.’”
+ Booklist 16:301 Je ’20
Reviewed by M. E. Bailey
Bookm 52:301 Ja ’21 780w Boston Transcript p4 My 19 ’20 850w
“Mr Stoddard’s book is one of the long series of publications devoted to the self-admiration of the white race. The books must be characterized as vicious propaganda, and deserve an attention not warranted by any intrinsic merit in their learning or their logic. The fundamental weakness of all books of this type, and eminently so of Mr Stoddard’s book, is a complete lack of understanding of the hereditary characteristics of a race as against the hereditary characteristics of a particular strain or line of descent.” Franz Boas
− Nation 111:sup656 D 8 ’20 980w
“A brilliant and highly suggestive survey.”
+ R of Rs 61:669 Je ’20 160w
“Many people will regard this book as highly dangerous and provocative. This verdict, though it might at first sight seem just, would be, we are convinced, short-sighted and unfair. When we say this we do not mean that we agree with every word of the premises put forward by Mr Stoddard or with all his conclusions; for we do not. What we do feel, however, is that it is a book which gives with vigour, and yet with essential moderation, most important and often most necessary warnings.”
+ − Spec 125:336 S 11 ’20 1550w + − Spec 125:367 S 18 ’20 2150w
“Because of its profound knowledge and eloquence this is a book that must be reckoned with. Had he been more moderate in his diagnosis and prognosis of the impending racial conflict, his book may have found fewer readers, but it would have been more convincing to the student of history and of public affairs.”
− + Survey 4:450 Je 26 ’20 450w The Times [London] Lit Sup p622 S 23 ’20 130w
“Mr Stoddard’s work is more convincing and useful when he deals with subsidiary questions, such as the real peril of Asiatic industrial competition or the serious pressure of overpopulation brought about in ‘coloured’ lands by the humanitarian hygiene of the whites. But his vision of the ‘rising tide of colour’ fails to carry conviction.”
− + The Times [London] Lit Sup p692 O 28 ’20 1450w Wis Lib Bul 16:107 Je ’20 130w
“Mr Stoddard’s book is the work of a pseudoscientist with a considerable skill in writing who, sincerely enough no doubt, jumbles assumptions and facts in a plausible and dangerous combination.” N. T.
− World Tomorrow 3:287 S ’20 680w
Reviewed by W. R. Wheeler
+ Yale R n s 10:431 Ja ’21 340w
STODDART, JANE T. Case against spiritualism. *$1.50 Doran 134
(Eng ed 20–4476)
“This book assembles articles from various writers, culling even from believers every clause usable as antagonistic comment. It is not backed by personal experience.”—Booklist
“Perhaps the best Protestant manual opposing the cult.”
+ Booklist 17:7 O ’20 + Brooklyn 12:122 My ’20 30w (Reprinted from The Times [London] Lit Sup p635 N 6 ’19)
“It will require mightier counter-thrusts than the slight rebuff of Miss Stoddart to make any headway against the encroachments of the insidious brand of personalism sponsored by psychical research.” Joseph Jastrow
− + Dial 69:209 Ag ’20 100w
“A short but effective and well-considered statement of the case.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p635 N 6 ’19 40w
STOLL, ELMER EDGAR. Hamlet; an historical and comparative study. (Studies in language and literature) pa $1 Univ. of Minn. 822.3
20–2038
“A close analytical study; reaching the conclusion that Hamlet is meant for an heroic, not a pathetic, figure, and not for one who falters or who deceives himself.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
“His results afford a wholesome check to introspective and romantic criticism, and may be accepted as the starting-point for a reasoned consideration of Shakespeare’s intentions.” G: F. Whicher
+ − Nation 110:433 Ap 3 ’20 800w New Repub 25:326 F 9 ’21 360w The Times [London] Lit Sup p242 Ap 15 ’20 30w
STONE, GENE. Cousin Nancy and the Lees of Clifford. il *$1.75 Crowell
20–15505
The Lees are a jolly western family living in a mountain valley in Nevada. Nancy is a cousin from New York who comes to spend a year with them. Nancy has been used to every luxury and there are many things about her cousins’ way of life that surprise her. She is not used, for one thing, to being introduced to delivery boys and she doesn’t see Ralph Mariner’s outstretched hand. But Nancy is a “real girl” after all. She easily adapts herself and enjoys the hearty fun and the impromptu good times her cousins offer her, and comes to appreciate Ralph’s worth, at the same time that he comes to see that she isn’t a snob. Nancy changes her mind about finishing schools too and decides to go to college and a great discovery, made on one of their expeditions, makes it possible for the others to go too.
STONE, GENE. Jane and the owl. (Sage brush stories) il *$1.50 (5c) Crowell
A series of fairy tale adventures for young readers. The initial setting is unusual. Jane lives in the sage brush country and her playground is a rocky canyon. Climbing its steep slopes one day, she sits down on a broad flat rock to rest and falls asleep and then begin her adventures in company with Oskar the owl. The stories are: Jane and the owl; The wobbly wudgets; The tremendous terwollipers; The moon sprites; The strike of the stylish young ladies of Fairtowers; The land o’ nod; The joyful mermaids; Break o’ day country.
STOREY, MOORFIELD. Problems of today. *$1.50 Houghton 304
20–18501
A volume containing the Godkin lectures for 1920. These annual lectures, delivered at Harvard, must deal in some manner with “the essentials of free government and the duties of the citizen.” Mr Storey chose five unrelated subjects of vital present interest. These are: The use of parties; Lawlessness; Race prejudice; The labor question; Our foreign relations. The author is a lawyer and member of the American bar association. He has been president of the Massachusetts civil service reform association, the Anti-imperialist league, and of the National association for the advancement of colored people.
+ Booklist 17:92 D ’20
“Mr Storey is at his best when he is considering conditions that are not complex, where rightmindedness and neighborly feeling and a willingness to do one’s share are enough to remedy human ills. When we turn to discussion of the distribution of wealth and the relations between employer and employed we find Mr Storey less adequate.”
+ − Nation 111:568 N 17 ’20 450w
STORM, MARION. Minstrel weather. il *$1.50 (8c) Harper 814
20–20910
A volume of nature essays, one for each month of the year, with such titles as: Faces of Janus; A woodland valentine; Ways of the March hare; The April moment; The crest of spring; Hay harvest time. The author has a keen eye for the delicate shadings of the seasons’ changes, and the book will appeal to those of similar tastes. In addition to the twelve essays for the months, she writes of Landscapes seen in dreams; Hiding places; The play of leaves; The brown frontier; Far altars.
“The style is full of color and highly charged with meaning. It is not a smooth papershelled almond, but a shagbark hickory nut. If you want the full sweetness of the kernel, you must pick it out carefully. It well rewards the trouble. I am glad she has chosen to send out her first book, not in some strange form of free verse, but in clear, spicy, juicy prose. It is alluring and refreshing, a cupful of cordial.” H: Van Dyke
+ N Y Evening Post p4 D 4 ’20 700w
STORY, A. M. SOMMERVILLE (FRANKFORT SOMMERVILLE, pseud.). Present day Paris and the battlefields. *$1.50 (3½c) Appleton 914.4
20–15940
“The visitor’s handbook with the chief excursions to the battlefields.” (Sub-title) All but one of the fifteen chapters are devoted to Paris. There are chapters on Paris of today; Fashionable Paris; Intellectual Paris; The origins of Paris; Paris of the middle ages; The art, gayety and genius of Paris; Aristocratic and pious Paris; etc. The excursions to the battlefields are outlined in the final chapter. The style is intimate and many of the conventional guide book features are omitted. There is no index.
“It is well written, interesting, accurate as far as it goes, but it is not a handbook. It has no index, no maps. A more important omission, however, is its failure to live up to its title. The book has little concern with ‘present-day’ Paris.”
+ − Springf’d Republican p10 N 5 ’20 540w
STRATON, JOHN ROACH. Menace of immorality in church and state; messages of wrath and judgment. il *$1.75 (2½c) Doran 176
20–6996
A series of sermons preached in Calvary Baptist church, New York city, all dealing with “the rank paganism and ever widening indecencies of the modern age.” The author says, “After every war, there is a wave of immorality. We have just passed through the greatest war of all time, and we are now witnessing the widest wave of immorality in the history of the human race.” Among the subjects of the sixteen chapters are: Slaves of fashion: the connection between women’s dress and social vice; The awful corruption of the modern theater: should Christians attend? The scarlet stain of sexual impurity: will America go the way of the great empires of the past? The great American gambling craze; God or Mammon? a message to the millionaires of New York; Sabbath observance as social sanity.
“The book is all emphasis. Ring the bell for church a few times and it has an effect; toll the bell and the stridence of its tone wearies.”
− + Boston Transcript p6 Je 16 ’20 400w N Y Times 25:224 My 2 ’20 700w
“The value and importance of his appeal, which might have been great, are largely lost by lack of perspective, grotesque exaggeration, superficial reasoning, and inaccurate statements of important facts. To those abreast of the times in the field of social hygiene effort and accomplishment, the book offers an object lesson in unscientific method and presentation.” B. J.
− + Social Hygiene 6:580 O ’20 240w Springf’d Republican p8 My 28 ’20 450w
Reviewed by F: H. Whitin
Survey 44:308 My 29 ’20 500w
STRATTON, CLARENCE. Public speaking. *$1.48 Holt 808.5
20–12400
“This book on public speaking attempts to provide fundamental rules and enough exercises to train members of a class to become effective speakers before audiences. It aims to be practical. The idea underlying the treatment is that the student will be continually doing much more speaking than studying.” (Prefatory note) The chapters take up: Speech; The voice; Words and sentences; Beginning the speech; Concluding the speech; Getting material; Planning the speech; Making the outline or brief; Explaining; Proving and persuading; Refuting; Debating; Speaking upon special occasions; Dramatics. Additional exercises are given in the two appendixes and there is an index. The author is a member of the English department of Central high school, St Louis, and of the Division of university extension, Washington university.
“The chief value of the book is its excellent organization of the large variety of activities which make up a worthy course in public speaking.”
+ School R 28:635 O ’20 180w
STRAUS, RALPH. Pengard awake. *$2 Appleton
20–17317
Pengard was first discovered by some English tourists, as a bookdealer in Chicago. According to the testimony of his friends, he had been queer for some time and was getting queerer, disappearing from time to time for increasingly long intervals. As he also appeared to be suffering, Sir Robert Graeme sets himself to fathoming the mystery. A famous English physician is requisitioned for the probe. That Pengard is a victim of amnesia, is coming more and more under the influence of another personality and is living in dread of complete surrender, is certain from the start. And this is what gradually reveals itself: John Pengard and Hartley Sylvester are one and the same person, and the latter, author of a book that has made him famous, is gaining in sinister influence. By the aid of psychoanalysis, hypnotism and shrewd guesses, Dr Arne achieves the unexpected result that Pengard fades away as a dream person and Sylvester comes to stay. After more patient experimenting, more startling disclosures, Sylvester transforms himself into John Mathieson, one-time pal and brother-in-arms to Sir Robert’s dead brother.
“We must admit that even an inveterate novel reader will scarcely be able to forecast the various developments which arise, and in particular the utterly unlooked-for conclusion.”
+ Ath p555 O 22 ’20 130w
“The story becomes more and more baffling as we proceed. The mystery is well worked out and the unraveling is exciting up to the very close.”
+ Boston Transcript p4 D 24 ’20 190w
“An uncommonly good story of this kind. Based upon actual psychological fact.”
+ Cleveland p107 D ’20 50w + Grinnell R 16:355 F ’21 200w
“While the plot is clever enough to carry the book, the pleasant literary style it is that will attract the average reader.”
+ N Y Times p29 Ja 2 ’21 470w
“Anybody who wants to be entertained will thoroughly enjoy this story, but most readers will probably agree that Lucius Arne is the least convincing part of it.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p651 O 7 ’20 640w
STRAUS, SIMON WILLIAM. History of the thrift movement in America. il *$1.50 (2c) Lippincott 331.84
20–7771
The book is one of Lippincott’s thrift text series edited by Arthur H. Chamberlain. In his introduction Mr Chamberlain says of the author: “He clearly saw the wasteful tendencies of our people, and deplored the results, bound, he well knew, to come from them. He saw the problem in its totality. He appreciated thoroughly the distinction between proper spending and useless wasting; between common-sense saving and narrow parsimony.... He alone could write the history, indicate the need and significance and point the way of the thrift movement, of which he is the apostle.” The book falls into two parts. Some of the chapters in part 1 are: Characterization of thrift; America’s record of thriftlessness; The organization of the American society for thrift; The international congress for thrift; Resolutions recommending the teachings of thrift in the public schools of America. Among the contents of part 2 are: Little talks on thrift; Money-making and money-saving; How thrift shapes the character; The need of personal account keeping; Waste in the kitchen; Personal standards of thrift; Thriftlessness among the poor. There is an index and five symbolic cartoons by Rollin Kirby.
Booklist 17:7 O ’20
“Certainly, the gospel of thrift which Mr Straus expounds needs to be spread far and wide. The little talks on thrift contained in part II will be helpful to teachers as illustrations of the thrift idea.” G: F. Zook
+ Survey 44:310 My 29 ’20 330w The Times [London] Lit Sup p385 Je 17 ’20 100w
STRAYER, GEORGE DRAYTON, and ENGELHARDT, NICKOLAUS LOUIS. Classroom teacher at work in American school. il *$1.48 Am. bk. 371.2
20–7789
“This volume is one of the American education series, of which Prof. Strayer is the general editor. It treats exhaustively of the organization and administration of public education, as well as of the technique employed by the teacher in his daily work. Chapters are included dealing with records and reports, the organization of public education, the classification and progress of children, the measurement of the achievements of children, the health of school children, as well as extra-curricula activities that make possible an intelligent and sympathetic cooperation with the plans of the administrator.”—Springf’d Republican
+ Cath World 112:271 N ’20 80w
“Contains little that is new, but is a restatement of material which is already familiar to all except elementary students of education. It will doubtless be used in many introductory courses.”
+ − El School J 21:152 O ’20 500w + Springf’d Republican p11a S 26 ’20 160w
STREET, JULIAN LEONARD. Sunbeams, Inc. il *$1.25 Doubleday
20–16499
Henry Bell Brown is introduced to us first as he is leaving the staff of the New York Evening Dispatch, and is given a farewell banquet. He is leaving to join a firm of “advertising engineers,” and subsequently becomes H. Bell Brown. It is only when he goes into business for himself that he rises to the glory of “Belwyn Brown.” It is his big idea of “merchandising” (one of his favorite verbs) sunshine that brings him success. He becomes a sort of a commercial Pollyanna spreading Gloomer Chasers broadcast on boiler-plate pages—something on this order: “No business is busted when there’s a smile left in the bank.” The war threatens the business of Sunbeams, Inc., but he enlarges its scope, goes to France and helps “win the war with sunshine.” Upon his return he is more convinced than ever that his name and fame shall be a household word and spares no effort to accomplish this result. At the end of a successful banquet given in his honor by the Pundits he is able to “indulge himself in a brief self-gratulatory yet philosophical reflection. ‘One thing is sure,’ he said to himself; ‘In this world a fellow gets just about what’s coming to him.’”
“Not only is the story so thin that it will hardly hold together, but it is impossible to feel any sympathy with the leading character—a state of things which often is fatal in a work of this kind. That it is not so in this instance is immeasurably to the credit of the author. It affords whimsical entertainment of unique quality.”
+ − N Y Times p22 S 19 ’20 350w
Reviewed by E. L. Pearson
+ Review 3:269 S 29 ’20 200w
“Short story with a lot of humor and various amusing exhibitions of psychology.”
+ Springf’d Republican p9a O 24 ’20 120w
STREETER, BURNETT HILLMAN, ed. Spirit; the relation of God and man, considered from the standpoint of recent philosophy and science. *$2.50 Macmillan 231
19–19611
“The movement toward a scientific and philosophical conception of God is materially aided by the publication of a book called ‘The spirit,’ edited by Canon B. H. Streeter of the Church of England. ‘This volume,’ says the editor, ‘puts forward a conception of spirit—considered as God in action—which is definite but not scholastic, and which is capable of affording a basis both for a coherent philosophy and for a religion passionate and ethical, mystical and practical.’ The chapter on Immanence and transcendance is by Prof. A. Pringle-Pattison. Miss Lily Dougall writes on God in action. The psychology of power is treated by Capt. J. A. Hadfield of the Ashhurst neurological war hospital at Oxford. A. Clutton-Brock’s customary distinction of mind and style is apparent in two chapters on Spiritual experience and Spirit and matter. Other chapters are What happened at Pentecost by Rev. C. A. Anderson Scott, The psychology of grace, by Rev. C. W. Emmet, The language of the soul, by Miss Dougall and Christ, the revolutionary by Canon Streeter.”—Springf’d Republican
Bib World 54:428 Jl ’20 320w
“Its temper is frank, its thought, for the most part, keen and clear, and its language, though frequently employing the terms of traditional theology, simple and eloquent.”
+ Springf’d Republican p6 Ja 19 ’20 680w
“Alike in its fearlessness, in its refusal to make terms with narrow types of orthodoxy, and in its strong Christocentric theology it is a characteristic product of modern English religious thought. Its main defect is that it only implicitly recognizes the affirmation of modern research that Christianity is a synthesis.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p279 My 6 ’20 2300w
STREIT, CLARENCE K. “Where iron is, there is the fatherland!” il *$1; pa *50c Huebsch 940.318
20–19447
The booklet comes under the “Freeman pamphlets” series and is “a note on the relation of privilege and monopoly to war.” (Subtitle) It is an exposé of the stock and bond morality of big business and shows “that the interests of a nation and the interests of private property are two separate and distinct things. Whether the money and mineral international did or did not prepare and start the war ... it is certain that the fifty-one months during which millions of men were killed was a most profitable era for these interests.” Some of the topics discussed are: The basin of Briey; Interlocking directorates; Nickel not contraband; The French trust favors Krupps; Patrioteers; When is a fort not a fort? The agreement for a Lorraine offensive; The flag of big business; Bloody profits.
“Mr Streit tells the story simply, straightforwardly, with ample citation of authority, but almost too unjournalistically. The booklet is marred by awkward translations and by careless proof-reading of place names.”
+ − Nation 111:276 S 4 ’20 300w
STRINGER, ARTHUR JOHN ARBUTHNOTT. Prairie mother. il *$2 Bobbs
20–11073
“Those who met ‘Chaddie’ McKail in ‘The prairie wife’ will be glad that Arthur Stringer has embodied her later experiences in ‘The prairie mother.’ Many of the characters of the earlier story of the Canadian prairie appear here. The story is in the form of a diary in which she sets down the details leading up to, and during, her greatest trial. The McKails have passed the first material difficulties of home-making in the new land, and their condition borders on opulence. But unfortunate speculation sweeps away their broad acres and solid home, and they are faced with the necessity of starting all over again. The ‘prairie mother’ gladly surrenders her charming home to the husband’s titled English cousin, and moves her household and three small tots to an unbroken half section which is in her name. The new owner of the old home is a woman who had entrusted funds to McKail. The former speedily proves the fly in the ointment, for she seems to fascinate ‘Dinky-Dunk’ and ere long there is a virtual separation. With deep sympathy, Mr Stringer details Chaddie’s efforts to mend her broken life.”—Springf’d Republican
Booklist 17:36 O ’20
“Mr Stringer’s public is accustomed to expect good work from his pen and we venture the opinion that in ‘The prairie mother’ he has surpassed himself.”
+ N Y Times 25:26 Jl 25 ’20 600w + Springf’d Republican p11a S 12 ’20 390w
STRONG, EDWARD KELLOGG, jr. Introductory psychology for teachers. il $1.80 Warwick & York 370.1
A series of lessons in psychology arranged to form a classroom course. The author has planned the course on the well-known principles of proceeding from the known to the unknown, of learning by doing, etc. He describes his method in the preface: “Instead of beginning with the most uninteresting phases of psychology and those most unknown to students, the course takes up concrete experiences of everyday life, relates them to the problems of learning and individual differences, and so develops these two topics. Each general principle is discovered by the student out of his own experience in solving specially organized problems. Only after he has done his best is he expected to refer to the text and by then the text is no longer basic but only supplementary.” The sections of the book following the introduction are devoted to: The learning process; Individual differences; Some physiological aspects of psychology. There is a brief general review at the close. Charts and diagrams illustrate the book, references follow most of the chapters, and there is an index. The text is also printed in the form of seventeen booklets. The author is professor of vocational education, Carnegie institute of technology.
“There is growing up a pronounced distinction between two schools of educational psychologists. The one is interested in dealing with the relatively tangible outcomes of learning activities and is satisfied to put all explanations in the form of Professor Thorndike’s easy, but quite meaningless, formula of bonds. The other is interested in finding out in detail the steps by which a pupil acquires his mental results. Professor Strong may be described as belonging to the first type. For that school he has rendered the service of getting together a large body of interesting examples, and he has put these examples in a more teachable form than any writers of that group who have preceded him.”
+ − El School J 20:793 Je ’20 300w
STUART, SIR CAMPBELL.[[2]] Secrets of Crewe house. il *$2 (*7s 6d) (4½c) Doran 940.342
20–22069
Crewe house was the headquarters of the department of propaganda in enemy countries under the directorship of Viscount Northcliffe. The story of its activities and successes during 1918 are revealed in this book. According to a quotation from the Tägliche Rundschau on page 127, “It cannot be doubted that Lord Northcliffe very substantially contributed to England’s victory in the world war. His conduct of English propaganda during the war will some day find its place in history as a performance hardly to be surpassed.” The book is indexed and contains besides the portraits of the various members of the committee on propaganda and other illustrations several maps and facsimiles of the leaflets distributed by means of balloons. The contents are: Propaganda: its uses and abuses; Crewe house: its organization and personnel; Operations against Austria-Hungary: propaganda’s most striking success; Operations against Germany; Tributes from the enemy; Operations against Bulgaria and other activities; Inter-allied cooperation; From war propaganda to peace propaganda; Vale!
Ath p333 S 10 ’20 260w
“Although there is much that is eulogistic of his chief, Sir Campbell does not overdraw the picture. He uses none of the arts of the professional writer, preferring at all times to tell the story without attempting the dramatic.” H. D. C.
+ Boston Transcript p11 D 8 ’20 780w
“This complacent book is ludicrous, not because it takes for granted that all it aimed to achieve was achieved; nor because it omits due credit to French propaganda (more extensive than British) and Russian (not even mentioned); but because it tries to get glory out of war.” Heber Blankenhorn
− Nation 111:594 N 24 ’20 1600w
“Sir Campbell’s lively style and his keen enjoyment of what he has to tell engross the reader.”
+ − N Y Times p10 N 21 ’20 1750w
“‘Secrets of Crewe house’ is rather hastily put together, and is too much a eulogy of Lord Northcliffe by his chief assistant. But it contains a good deal of interesting description of the sundry ingenious devices by which Lord Northcliffe spread his propaganda.” H: W. Bunn
+ − Review 3:649 D 29 ’20 900w R of Rs 62:671 D ’20 60w
“In Lord Northcliffe’s mentality we have always been struck with a strong vein of simplicity, which the charitable call naïveté, and the uncharitable call knavery, or stupidity. There are two signs of this quality in this book. Again and again it is explicitly stated that the propaganda told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This is childish. No propaganda could succeed which told the truth.”
− Sat R 130:239 S 18 ’20 1100w + Spec 125:311 S 4 ’20 300w
“A very lively and exciting story, which the many illustrations in the volume help to diversify. Yet the book is more than a piece of good reading about the war, and more than a historical record. It will have a permanent value as a handbook to the principles of propaganda in enemy countries.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p558 S 2 ’20 450w
STUCK, HUDSON. Winter circuit of our Arctic coast. il *$6 (5c) Scribner 979.8
20–9131
This is the author’s fourth book of Alaskan travel and describes a journey with dog-sled around the entire Arctic coast of Alaska in the winter of 1917–18. It is not a record of discoveries of exploration and does not describe an already “scientifically known” people anthropologically but rather socially during their “normal life” which is their winter life. “My purpose was an enquiry into their present state, physical, mental, moral and religious, industrial and domestic, into their prospects, into what the government and the religious organizations have done and are doing for them, and what should yet be done.” (Preface) Besides many illustrations, two maps and an index the book contains: From Fort Yukon to Kotzebue Sound; Kotzebue Sound to Point Hope; Point Hope; Point Hope to Point Barrow; Point Barrow; The northern extreme; Point Barrow to Flaxman Island; Flaxman Island and the journey to Herschel Island; Herschel Island and the journey to Fort Yukon.
+ Booklist 16:343 Jl ’20
“There is a quiet and peculiar charm, distinctly of the North, in this narrative.” F: O’Brien
+ Nation 111:537 N 10 ’20 680w
“This book is readable from cover to cover—entertaining, thoughtful, wise in its recommendations concerning our great territory, and attractive in its illustration.”
+ Outlook 125:281 Je 9 ’20 80w
“Mr Stuck is a man of many interests, and his narrative is the more absorbing for being discursive.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p576 S 9 ’20 900w
STUDENSKY, PAUL. Teachers’ pension systems in the United States. *$3 Appleton 371.17
20–2739
The book is published under the auspices of the Institute for government research, in the series Studies in administration, and is both a critical and descriptive study of the subject. It “should be not only a substantial contribution to the science of administration, but an immediate and practical aid to teachers, school authorities, legislators and all other persons interested in solving the problem of reorganizing their own systems or establishing systems ... upon bases that have been tested by experience and are in accordance with sound social, economic, and financial principles.” (Editorial introd.) Part 1: The problem of teachers’ pensions, contains: The evolution of teachers’ pensions in the United States; The teachers’ pension problem outlined; Superannuation benefits; Disability benefits; Death and withdrawal benefits; Determining the cost of benefits; The division of cost between government and teachers; The government’s contribution; The teacher’s contribution; Compulsory participation and the right to management. In Part 2 an account is given of the movement in the United States and an examination made of the history and present condition of the more important systems now in existence. There is also an appendix, actuarial tables and a bibliography.
Booklist 16:224 Ap ’20
“In his efforts to inculcate the sound principles, Mr Studensky errs rather on the side of overloading his discussion with too much detail, which for the readers most concerned will probably lead to confusion rather than clarification. While general agreement will be found with the principles of a sound pension system discussed in the volume, Mr Studensky’s acceptance of the salary scale as the basis of the pension considerably diminishes the value of his work.”
+ − Nation 111:622 D 1 ’20 350w
“The book covers the subject critically and thoroughly.”
+ Springf’d Republican p13a Ap 18 ’20 80w
“The volume will serve the purpose of a work of reference and will be of value to committees of teachers considering the establishment of a pension system. The average teacher, however, will perhaps be a little more confused by the problem after reading the book than before, mainly because it is over-loaded by too much detail and because the discussions of theory and practice are too widely separated.” I. L. Kandel
+ − Survey 44:494 Jl 3 ’20 390w
STURGEON, MARY C. Studies of contemporary poets, rev. and enl. *$2.50 Dodd 821.09
“These short studies, warmly presenting the merits of a number of contemporary poets with much illustrative quotation, first appeared in 1916. The additional chapters are on John Drinkwater, ‘Michael Field,’ (Katharine H. Bradley and Edith E. Cooper), Thomas Hardy, J. C. Squire, Contemporary women poets (Anna Wickham, Helen Parry Eden, Anna Bunston, Olive Custance, Eva Gore Booth, Margaret Radford), and W. B. Yeats.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup
“The best one can say about Miss Sturgeon’s work is that it is the outcome of a wide knowledge of the poets and versifiers of her time. But she fails to do justice to whatever understanding of them that knowledge might have given to her.”
− + Ath p50 Jl 9 ’20 240w
“One does not receive in these pages the keen analysis, the subtle interpretation of contemporaries such as Arthur Symons gave to his public in ‘Studies in two literatures,’ but they do give an honest, workable survey of the figures and qualities among the contemporaneous poets of England that is serviceable and informative.” W. S. B.
+ Boston Transcript p6 O 13 ’20 840w
“The fact is that Miss Sturgeon’s criticism leans toward sentimentalism, and not only because she tends always to stress the good, the true, the perennially sad. Her writing clings too close to its matter even when she is at her best, which is in interpretation of the thought and melody in giving passages; and her exquisiteness of appreciation tends in one way or another to impede the flow of critical thought. One poet seems in retrospect very much like another.” C. M. Rourke
+ − Freeman 2:331 D 15 ’20 780w
“Miss Sturgeon’s book, taken with the necessary ‘grano salis,’ has much to recommend it. Its value as criticism would have been higher if Miss Sturgeon had not been so uniformly enthusiastic.” R: Le Gallienne
+ − N Y Times p8 O 17 ’20 1700w + The Times [London] Lit Sup p242 Ap 15 ’20 60w
STURGIS, ESTHER MARY (OGDEN) (MRS RICHARD CLIPSTON STURGIS). Personal prejudices. *$1.65 (4c) Houghton 814
20–16519
In these chatty essays the author gives her opinions on many subjects, as the table of contents reveals, with much wit and humor. Her husband in his preface to the book says of it that it is not immoral and therefore not really modern, but commends it for its patriotic enthusiasm. Contents: Gardens; Husbands and housekeeping; Autres temps, autres mœurs; The lost art of letterwriting; My Bolshevist; Old friends; New acquaintances; House and home; Quality versus equality; Differences and distinctions; Epilogue by the favourite nephew.
“Sweet, homely essays with the humor which pleased readers of ‘Random reflections of a grandmother.’”
+ Booklist 17:107 D ’20
“The odd thing is that this book of informal essays will probably please readers of sharply different types, though perhaps not always in the way in which the writer would choose. She has the real gift of the familiar essayist, the gift for self-revelation.”
+ N Y Evening Post p8 O 23 ’20 300w
“Her originality is as clearly reflected in her refreshing style as in her prejudices. Her commentaries sparkle with the same charming wit, compounded of shrewd common sense and abundant humor that made such delightful reading of her ‘Random reflections of a grandmother.’”
+ N Y Times p8 D 5 ’20 600w + Outlook 126:378 O 27 ’20 30w Wis Lib Bul 16:235 D ’20 30w
SULLIVAN, ALAN. Rapids. *$1.75 (2) Appleton
20–11223
The story is a fairy tale of what the genius of one man can achieve in developing the powers of nature. Robert Fisher Clark was a man of vision, of action, of unusual concentration, and of hypnotic personality. At a glance he takes in the possibilities of the Rapids of St Mary’s and the surrounding wilderness. Immediately he is at work developing plans and attracting the necessary money and good-will by his personal magnetism. But the test of his greatness comes when human covetousness and stupidity wrests the fruits of his labor from him after the end of seven years and he is ready to acknowledge that he has worked in the service of humanity not for his own gain. He abandons everything, even the woman he loves, to the equally wholehearted love of his engineer and seeks new fields for his activity.
“Men will like it.”
+ Booklist 17:36 O ’20
“It is an interesting and well-told story, with vivid presentation of its scenes. In its purpose and manner and spirit the author has made a successful venture in turning aside a little from the usual lines of fiction.”
+ N Y Times p25 Ag 1 ’20 460w Review 3:214 S 8 ’20 620w
“A fine romance of industrial enterprise from the western world.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p781 N 25 ’20 40w
SULLY, JAMES, My life and friends. *$5 Dutton
(Eng ed 19–4187)
“James Sully’s latest book, ‘My life and friends: a psychologist’s memories,’ is the record of a man devoted to music and literature as well as to his technical subject. The book is not burdened with formal information about himself. It does not tell us the date of his birth, or the name of his wife, or the number of his children. It begins the narrative of his life by a description of the sleepy Somersetshire town of Bridgwater, where he was born, and ends with a chance remark on Sicilian painted carts. It touches upon the circumstances of his childhood in a Nonconformist family and of his early education in Baptist schools; upon his student days in Germany under Ewald and Lotze; upon his literary and professional work in London, where he became professor of philosophy in University college. But it dwells most affectionately upon his vacations and upon the men and women whose intimacy or acquaintance he enjoyed.”—Nation
“An inspiring reminiscent volume.” E. F. E.
+ Boston Transcript p10 Je 7 ’19 1400w
“A very readable contribution to biographical literature and to the intellectual history of an important period is offered in Professor James Sully’s volume of reminiscences.” R. H. Lowie
+ Freeman 2:524 F 9 ’21 760w + Nation 109:446 S 27 ’19 250w
“His memoirs are not great in themselves: it is rather the friendships they chronicle that add lustre to them.”
+ N Y Evening Post p9 N 27 ’20 160w R of Rs 62:670 D ’20 70w
“By those who wish to enjoy the society of the superior Hampsteadians of the last quarter of the last century, Dr Sully’s autobiography should be read, and will certainly be relished.”
+ Sat R 126:sup10 N 23 ’18 1050w
“Dr Sully’s new volume belongs to that class of books, unhappily rare, which are much more pleasant to read than to criticise. Its merits, like those of a well-baked cake, are diffused imperceptibly throughout the whole mass; it does not lend itself to quotation; there are many plums, but to savour their true excellence they have to be taken in their original environment.”
+ Spec 121:460 O 26 ’18 940w
“Dr Sully contributes to literature a book of value as well as interest in ‘My life and my friends.’”
+ Springf’d Republican p8 Ja 25 ’21 1100w
SUMMERS, A. LEONARD. Asbestos and the asbestos industry. (Pitman’s common commodities and industries ser.) il $1 Pitman 553.6
20–9018
“Until the completion of this work, there existed no comprehensive book on the absorbing study of asbestos.... The uses and scope of asbestos having now become universal, it has long been felt that a book thereon was much needed, so few people really understanding the subject; and the author (for many years closely associated with the industry), while avoiding as far as possible too dry and tiresome technicalities, has dealt with everything of real interest and utility in a concise and popular style to appeal to every class of reader.” (Foreword) There are illustrations by the author and from photographs and the book is indexed.
“The volume on ‘Asbestos’ decidedly suffers by comparison with its companion volume [on ‘Zinc’ by T. E. Lones] as the author does not take care to avoid a number of errors, which, though common enough in the trade, ought not to find their way into a book of this description.”
+ − Nature 105:194 Ap 15 ’20 300w
“As a catalogue of finished products the volume will find use; as a text-book covering the technical preparation of asbestos it hardly merits consideration.”
+ − N Y P L New Tech Bks p35 Ap ’20 80w
SUMMERS, WALTER COVENTRY. Silver age of Latin literature. *$3 Stokes 870
The period covered is from Tiberius to Trajan. The preface says: “The term ‘Silver Latin’ is often applied loosely to all the post-Augustan literature of Rome: in this book it has been reserved for that earlier part of it which, in spite of a definite decline in taste and freshness, deserves nevertheless to be sharply distinguished from the baser metals of the imitative or poverty-stricken periods which followed.” (Preface) A chronological table is followed by discussions on: The declamations and the pointed style; The epic; Drama; Verse satire; Light and miscellaneous verse; Oratory; History, biography and memoirs; Philosophy; Prose-satire and romance; Correspondence; Grammar, criticism and rhetoric; Scientific and technical prose. There are notes on translations and an index.
“The book contains some smooth translations, of which, as might be expected, the renderings from the satirists are probably the most successful. Without stating any particularly fresh theory, Mr Summers covers the old ground very thoroughly.”
+ Ath p435 O 1 ’20 640w
“In ‘The silver age of Latin literature,’ we are given a text-book, admirably written and closely digested, that is an open door to a literature that often amazes us by its evident modernity.”
+ N Y Times p14 Ja 16 ’21 1500w
“Rather dull. But Prof. Summers is full of learning on the period which is not commonly mastered by classical students; and his record is so thorough that it should not be neglected.”
+ − Sat R 130:485 D 11 ’20 70w + The Times [London] Lit Sup p586 S 9 ’20 400w
SUMNER, WILLIAM GRAHAM. What social classes owe to each other. 2d ed *$1.50 (4c) Harper 171
20–8048
This is a republication of Prof. Sumner’s book on ‘Social classes’ with an introduction by his successor to the chair of social science at Yale university, Albert Galloway Keller. Prof. Keller thinks that our age, more than any other, needs an unflinching statement of the individualistic position, of laissez-faire. “At a time when the world is menaced with the curtailment of civil liberty and the paralysis of individual initiative through weird and grotesque developments of socialism ... the man who takes to heart the truths of this little book cannot be led by the nose even into that pseudo-open-mindedness that toys with bolshevism and anarchism.” (Foreword)
“The book is a brilliant piece of writing, an impassioned vindication of individualism, a resolute arraignment of the social meddling and social doctors that were popular in 1883, are now, and perhaps always will be.”
+ Boston Transcript p6 Jl 24 ’20 240w Ind 103:320 S 11 ’20 100w
“Plausible as all this may have sounded in 1883, it seems unfair to the memory of an eminent scholar to resurrect a study in which such manifestly outgrown sentiments are predominant.” Ordway Tead
− New Repub 25:210 Ja 12 ’21 220w
“Whatever we may think of such old-fashioned individualism, it is wholesome to have a dash of it now and then, and the reading of such a book as this, like a cold bath after a warm day, is both refreshing and stimulating.” J. E. Le Rossignol
+ Review 3:504 N 24 ’20 270w
SWEETSER, ARTHUR.[[2]] League of nations at work. *$1.75 Macmillan 341.1
20–17503
“A series of articles contributed to the New York Evening Post by Arthur Sweetser, a member of the American peace commission, is published in book form. Mr Sweetser writes to clear away misconceptions and to make the purposes and the actual machinery of the league as clear as possible. Mr Sweetser’s study covers in detail the permanent court, the secretariat, the questions of disarmament, minorities and mandates, international labor and health organizations, freedom of transit, economic co-operation and open diplomacy.”—Springf’d Republican
+ Ind 103:442 D 25 ’20 90w
“He shows a very clear understanding of essentials and he presents his well-digested knowledge in clear language, with simple figures to drive home his points. As a popular elucidation of the league, Mr Sweetser’s book is from every point of view commendable.”
+ Springf’d Republican p6 N 1 ’20 310w
SWEETSER, ARTHUR, and LAMONT, GORDON. Opportunities in aviation. il *$1 (3½c) Harper 629.1
20–2110
The authors of this volume, one a captain in the American air service, the other a lieutenant in the Royal air force of Canada, claim that it is the training, not the individual, that makes the pilot and that “any ordinary, active man, provided he has reasonably good eyesight and nerve, can fly, and fly well. If he has nerve enough to drive an automobile through the streets of a large city ... he can take himself off the ground in an airplane, and also land—a thing vastly more difficult and dangerous.” (Introd.) The authors also claim that aeronautics in the future must cease to be a highly specialized business, that the airplane will become a conveyance of everyday civilian use and that what they have written is based on actual accomplishments to date. Contents: War’s conquest of the air; The transition to peace; Training an airplane pilot; Safety in flying; Qualifications of an airplane mechanic; The first crossing of the Atlantic; Landing-fields—the immediate need; The airplane’s brother; The call of the skies; Addendum.
+ Booklist 17:18 O ’20
SWINBURNE, ALGERNON CHARLES. Selections; ed. by Edmund Gosse and Thomas James Wise. *$2 Doran 821
(Eng ed 20–9019)
Mr Gosse and Mr Wise, who edited Swinburne’s letters and a collection of “Posthumous poems,” have prepared the first selection from his works since the one compiled by Watts-Dunton in 1887. This early volume, the present editors say, “was not broadly characteristic of Swinburne’s many moods and variety of subjects.” The aim has been to make the new selection more representative.
“Without having at hand the older volume of selections made by Swinburne himself it may yet be said that the present selection is a good one. It would have been more ‘representative’ if it had included one or two of the ‘Songs before sunrise,’ and the omission of ‘Laus veneris’ and especially ‘The leper’ is regrettable. What one would like to have would be a volume of selections including these poems and omitting the two choruses from ‘Atalanta,’ and another volume containing the whole of ‘Atalanta.’” T. S. E.
+ − Ath p72 Ja 16 ’20 1400w Booklist 17:107 D ’20
“The present selection is, in almost every way, admirable, and represents adequately the poetical genius of the author.”
+ − Cath World 112:696 F ’21 140w Ind 104:248 N 13 ’20 40w + − N Y Evening Post p22 D 4 ’20 160w
Reviewed by E. L. Pearson
Review 3:345 O 20 ’20 100w
“Lovers of Swinburne will be grateful to Mr Gosse and Mr Wise.”
+ Spec 124:463 Ap 3 ’20 50w
“So long as a selection contains the ‘Triumph of time,’ the ‘Garden of Proserpine,’ ‘Hertha,’ the Atalanta choruses, and a few others, it will content us; these we need, and beyond these whatever else is included the editor may be at peace—we shall take it and be satisfied.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup p732 D 11 ’19 1000w
SWINDLER, ROBERT EARL. Causes of war. *$1.75 Badger, R. G. 902
20–1549
“This publication is based on the idea that it is idle to talk of world peace without an intelligent world understanding. ‘The causes of war’ is designed to meet the need of a systematic organization of the great mass of material concerning the war. It gives all the essential points, and is equally suited to the busy student, teacher, or general reader. The work includes not only an outline and study of the world war together with the official peace negotiations, but also a survey of all the wars that preceded with particular emphasis upon those since 1870.”—School R
“This volume is pertinent and timely. It is one of the most convenient reference books on a subject of universal interest that has so far been published, and is well-nigh indispensable for writers and speakers.”
+ Boston Transcript p6 Mr 31 ’20 160w
“The work is so clearly and logically written that it is particularly valuable for use in current history classes.”
+ School R 28:237 Mr ’20 200w
SWINNERTON, FRANK ARTHUR. September, *$1.90 (2c) Doran
19–18833
Mr Swinnerton’s new novel is a story of the coming and passing of love in the late summer of a woman’s life. As in his memorable “Nocturne,” the characters are four: Marian Forster; her husband, Howard; Cherry Mant; and Nigel Sinclair. In the beginning, Howard, who is eleven years older than his wife, and far past his youth, is carrying on a love affair with Cherry, a girl of twenty and daughter of one of Marian’s friends. Marian is shocked, not at Howard’s faithlessness, which is an old story to her, but at Cherry’s bright callousness, for irresistibly she feels herself drawn to the girl. Then comes Nigel, young, charming and adoring, to offer her his boyish adulation and surprise her into love. But youth responds to youth and Nigel is won over by Cherry. The interplay of emotions is delicately complex, involving on Marian’s side love for Nigel, sympathy for Howard, and genuine friendship for Cherry.
“Mr Swinnerton’s analysis of the women’s characters is singularly penetrating. He makes the conflict and its solution arise inevitably out of the two opposed natures; the plot and the characterization are not two distinct things, but the same.”
+ Ath p962 S 26 ’19 140w Ath p1002 O 10 ’19 1150w + Booklist 16:173 F ’20
Reviewed by H. W. Boynton
+ Bookm 51:81 Mr ’20 750w + Boston Transcript p6 Mr 3 ’20 600w
“Granted his acceptance of the established romantic values of fiction, he has concocted a good story, serious and sensitive along its own lines.” F. H.
+ − New Repub 22:63 Mr 10 ’20 1650w
“‘Nocturne’ established Frank Swinnerton as one of the highly promising novelists in the young English group that is building an age of novels in England commensurate with the two great periods of the past. ‘September,’ to our mind, is an even greater and more penetrating study of the human mind and heart.” Clement Wood
+ N Y Call p10 Mr 21 ’20 420w
“The novel lacks something of the intensity, vividness and variety of ‘Nocturne’ which still remains Mr Swinnerton’s best book, but it is a very great improvement on the rather disappointing ‘Shops and houses.’”
+ N Y Times 25:53 F 1 ’20 1000w
“The beautiful artistic quality of the author’s wonderful ‘Nocturne’ appears again in this new book, one of the most notable productions of the season.”
+ N Y Times 25:190 Ap 18 ’20 150w
Reviewed by F: T. Cooper
+ Pub W 97:174 Ja 17 ’20 500w
“Mr Swinnerton’s sensitivism, if the term may properly be applied to him, is on the side of the angels. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he does not throw decency overboard because hypocrites exist, or exalt impulse over principle.” H. W. Boynton
+ Review 2:85 Ja 24 ’20 450w
“The book is one that almost any English novelist might have been proud to write.”
+ Sat R 129:70 Ja 17 ’20 80w + − Spec 123:773 D 6 ’19 440w
“The relationship between the two women is the theme of the book; and as Mr Swinnerton has been at pains to endow each with character, and to make out from his own insight how such a relation might shape itself, the development is original enough to have an unusual air of truth.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p513 S 25 ’19 850w
SWINNERTON, HELEN (DIRCKS) (MRS FRANK SWINNERTON). Passenger. *$1.50 Doran 821
(Eng ed 20–16192)
In introducing this book of poems Frank Swinnerton refers to originality and candour as their outstanding qualities. Of the author he says, “Whatever technical faults her verses may have they remain altogether unspoilt by literary sophistication.” Some of the titles are: Underground; Withholding; Then and now; Alone; Piccadilly, 1917; America, 1917; London in war; The betrayal; Adjustment; Garden song; Trying to sleep; The traveller; In the dark.
+ Booklist 17:105 D ’20 Boston Transcript p6 N 3 ’20 300w
“Many of these pieces are happy little efforts in lyrical poems of love or regret, and the whiffs of verse in vers libre are felicitous.”
+ The Times [London] Lit Sup Je 3 ’20 110w
SWISHER, WALTER SAMUEL. Religion and the new psychology. *$2 Jones, Marshall 201
20–12542
“A psycho-analytic study of religion,” with chapters devoted to: The nature of the religious problem; The nature of the unconscious and its influence on the religious life; The motivation of human life; Determinism and free-will; Mysticism and neurotic states; The problem of evil; Pathological religious types; The occult in modern religious systems; Conversion and attendant phenomena; The changing basis and objective of religion; Methods of mental and religious healing; The religious problem in education. Two appendices are devoted to: Dreams and dream mechanisms and Birth dreams. There is a brief bibliography and an index. The author goes rather fully into the principles of psycho-analysis and the book may serve as an introduction to those who have not read widely on the subject.
“The most useful part of the book deals with religious education and illustrates the baneful effects of early religious fears. The author is dogmatic in his statements regarding the religious and non-ethical life of primitive people. Most of the readers, familiar with psychoanalytic literature, will turn from the book with the conviction that a satisfactory discussion of religion and the new psychology is hardly to be expected from within the ministerial profession. The book would serve a useful purpose were it not unlikely to be read by those who need it most.” E. R. Groves
+ − Am J Soc 26:376 N ’20 240w + Booklist 17:8 O ’20
“Rarely, perhaps never, has a writer failed so signally to accomplish his aim. The book is a heterogeneous mass of poorly digested, badly assimilated psychology, and worse religion, while from the pedagogical point of view that which he says has been said many times.” Joseph Collins
− Bookm 52:172 O ’20 620w Int J Ethics 31:116 O ’20 80w
“That much is here done to illustrate the indubitable connection between the religious motives of mankind and other motives and faculties, is true; it is also true that the book by swallowing the Freudian system of sex symbols too uncritically makes itself a candidate for laughter in that day, sure to come, when the excesses of Freud will recall the excesses of Max Müller.”
+ − Nation 111:695 D 15 ’20 120w
Reviewed by G. E. Partridge
N Y Times p28 D 26 ’20 570w
“Like many other books on psycho-analysis, this one proves that until expounders of this theory develop greater balance or a keener sense of humor in considering the phenomena of sex, there is small likelihood of their labors resulting in a substantial addition to our scientific understanding of ourselves.”
− Springf’d Republican p6 Ag 30 ’20 190w The Times [London] Lit Sup p863 D 16 ’20 100w