“Whether the generalizations he makes, based upon conditions as he observed them two decades ago, still hold true in full or not, they are interesting as reflecting the reaction of a foreigner, well equipped by his training in educational and philosophical work, to an alien and intricate civilization.”
+ N Y Evening Post p7 Mr 6 ’20 300w R of Rs 61:221 F ’20 100w
LAIDLER, HARRY WELLINGTON. Socialism in thought and action. *$2.50 (2c) Macmillan 335
20–3555
The author is secretary of the Intercollegiate socialist society and editor of the Socialist Review. The important service of his book is that it gives an up-to-date treatment of the new developments in socialism and relates them to the movements of the past. It covers “the socialist criticism of present day society, the socialist theory of economic development, the socialist conception of a future social state and the activities, achievements, and present status of the organized socialist movement in various countries of the world.” (Preface) It is divided into two almost equal parts: Socialist thought, and The socialist movement. The work is intended to serve as a textbook for college classes and study groups, and “as a ready reference book for the thinkers and doers who have come to realize that an intelligent understanding of this greatest mass movement of the twentieth century is absolutely essential to enlighten citizenship.” There is a select bibliography on socialism and allied subjects, and an index.
“Of especial interest is the discussion of the Russian revolution, and recent developments in European and American socialism, concerning which the data are the latest available.” G. S. Watkins
+ Am Econ R 10:633 S ’20 480w
“Throughout the entire work differences of opinion are given; arguments are sound and the proof offered scientific. In fact it is a splendid presentation of this movement. Not only does the book deserve serious attention but it would make an excellent text.” G. S. Dow
+ Am J Soc 26:374 N ’20 630w