+ Outlook. 82: 274. F. 17, ’06. 170w. R. of Rs. 33: 383. Mr. ’06. 70w.
“Perhaps the secret of the unsatisfactory and somewhat mystifying effect of the work is due to the fact that she writes not like one but as two distinct persons.”
– Sat. R. 101: 696. Je. 2, ’06. 1130w.
Steffens, Joseph Lincoln. Struggle for self-government: being an attempt to trace American political corruption to its sources in six states of the United States, with a dedication to the czar. **$1.20. McClure.
In this volume the author of “The shame of the cities,” “describes the government in six of our states in the direction of a return to the political cleanliness of former times. It is the general movement against bossism, of which the elections of 1905 gave many cheering indications. Mr. Steffens’ account of what has been accomplished in Ohio, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Missouri is full of encouragement to friends of popular government in other states.” (R. of Rs.)
“It is unfortunate, however, that Mr. Steffens, with so commendable a purpose, should adopt in his writing a tone of arrogance and a disinclination to restraint in his use of the picturesque. It is difficult at times to overlook this fault, and to keep in mind that the author’s object is truth rather than sensationalism.”
+ – Dial. 41: 93. Ag. 16, ’06. 230w.
“If there is any serious fault to be found with this book it is a fault of style rather than of substance.”
+ – Nation. 83: 19. Jl. 5, ’06. 600w.