Bookm 51:192 Ap ’20 950w
“Despite the friendly humor and gentleness of the essayist there is the iron of sharp experience and the steel of strong convictions to give point and edge to his critical depictions of men and manners.” H. A.
+ New Repub 24:51 S 8 ’20 820w + N Y Times 25:213 Ap 25 ’20 50w
“Despite a certain crabbedness and inflexibility of literary form, the book is a notable one. It is thought through, and has flights of grave eloquence. As a survey and estimate of modern society, as offering a tenacious criticism which is ever tinged with human sympathy, the book is a true landmark.”
+ Review 2:157 F 14 ’20 580w
GASTON, HERBERT E. Nonpartisan league. *$1.75 (2c) Harcourt, Brace & Howe 329
20–6358
The author of the present volume is thoroughly acquainted with the history of the Nonpartisan league from the inside, and tells the story of its foundation and growth sympathetically but dispassionately, leaving the reader to make his own estimate of its importance as a political and social movement. In his final survey the author says: “Any cult or propaganda becomes dangerous if it comes close to the truth. ‘Menaces’ to the existing order of society are born of the evils of existing society in conflict with human needs and natural human desires. To brand a group, a cult, a society, a religion, as disloyal or disreputable is one way of fighting it, but it need not forever damn it.” Contents: The Nonpartisan league—what it is; North Dakota; Seeds of rebellion; Breaking ground; Terminal elevators; The leader for the occasion; Applied psychology; “Six-dollar suckers”; Publicity; The enemy opens fire; Choosing the candidates; The first campaign; Leaguers in power; The League becomes “national”; War issues; Producers and consumers; “Patrioteering”; Growth and power; The second big battle; League democracy at work; “The new day in North Dakota”; Another crisis passed; Organization changes; Survey and forecast.
“Three years’ employment on the publication controlled by the league has given Mr Gaston an intimate knowledge of the organization, and, although the reader is assured of a ‘conscientious effort to make a faithful report of facts of essential interest,’ favorable conclusions are the rule. This point should be kept in view in judging the matter presented.” G: M. Janes