“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.