“The whole work is frankly realistic, softening no oaths and tempering no vices. Yet withal, it is a refreshing bit of reading, for despite the bitterness and ugliness floating like scum on the waters of that ghetto life, one never quite loses consciousness of the great deep cleanness beneath it all. In that Kobrin proves himself a master: his realism is suggestive and translucent, not blunt and opaque.” L: Brown
+ New Repub 24:25 S 1 ’20 920w
“Leon Kobrin has lived the life he writes about. His bitter realism is no creation of fancy; the atmospherical color is without blemish.” Alvin Winston
+ N Y Call p11 Ap 25 ’20 420w
“Once in a while, a race produces an author capable of presenting its message in language of so great simplicity and force that his writings can be appreciated anywhere in an adequate translation. The Jewish race possesses such a writer in Leon Kobrin.”
+ Springf’d Republican p10 My 7 ’20 240w
KOEBEL, WILLIAM HENRY. Great south land. *$4.50 (5c) Dodd 918
A20–884
The book treats of the republics of Rio de la Plata, and southern Brazil of today. These countries the author, in his introduction compares to the ugly duckling which turned out a swan. Already before the war they had steadily risen in importance and “there is no doubt that the shifting sands of international politics and the racing centres of power have left these South American states in an economic position stronger than any which they have previously enjoyed.” Part 1 contains: Buenos Aires of yesterday and today; The Argentine capital in war time; Cosmopolitan influences; Some topical episodes; The work of the British in Argentina; Argentina’s political prospects; Internal and external affairs; Rio and its surroundings; British and Americans in South America; The press of the eastern republics. Part 2 is devoted to the industrial points of the various states and there is an index.