KNIGHT, AUSTIN MELVIN.Modern seamanship. 7th ed rev and enl il*$6.50 (2½c) Van Nostrand 656 17-11225
This work by Rear-Admiral Knight, first published in 1901, now appears in a seventh edition. A note says, “The present edition is designed to bring the work up to date as completely as possible. To this end, a large amount of new material has been added, muchthat was obsolete has been cut out, and about one-third of the remainder has been extensively revised or entirely rewritten.” The new edition is illustrated with 159 plates.
KNIPE, EMILIE (BENSON) (MRS ALDEN ARTHUR KNIPE), and KNIPE, ALDEN ARTHUR.Lost little lady. il*$1.35 (2c) Century 17-25247
The scene of this story for young people is laid in New York at the time of the draft riots In 1863. Nora O’Neil rescues a strange little girl, somewhat younger than herself, from the mob. Nora is warm hearted and impetuous, and the great wealth which has come to her father and herself quite suddenly has not spoiled her. The opportunity to mother this little stranger is a golden one to lonely Nora and she hopes fervently that the child’s people will never be found. Her wish seems in a fair way to be gratified, for Bébée refuses to disclose anything about herself. The two girls become devotedly fond of one another, and, happily, the final solution of the mystery surrounding Bébée does not separate them.
“An entertaining tale.”
“Dr and Mrs Knipe have a literary style which places their books far above the range of average juvenile literature.”
“There is plenty of both plot and incident.”
KNIPE, EMILIE (BENSON) (MRS ALDEN ARTHUR KNIPE), and KNIPE, ALDEN ARTHUR.Maid of old Manhattan. il*$1.25 (1½c) Macmillan 17-24856
A story of New Amsterdam under the rule of Peter Stuyvesant. Annetje, the maid of old Manhattan, had spent her early childhood with the Indians. She knows that they had loved and treasured her highly, for even after they have sent her to live with the white people, their protective watch over her continues. Of her parentage she knows nothing, but she has sometimes been made to feel that she is not Dutch like her companions. Twice it is given Annetje to warn the governor of impending danger. The first time, when an Indian attack threatens, she intercedes with her red friends and the town is saved. The second time her warning is not heeded. The English ships come and New Amsterdam becomes New York. But the ships bring to Annetje the secret of her birth, and Peter Stuyvesant, no longer the governor, sanctions his son Balthazar’s choice of a wife.
“This is a novel whose simplicity and direct methods are its greatest charm. There is enough excitement to hold the reader’s attention, and enough of historical setting to give the simple story dignity. It is a wholesome and pleasing story.”
“I think children from ten on will like it better than I do, because I tried it on them, and they voted it ‘great.’ And they will get a glimpse of old Manhattan at the time the British took it over, learn what they ate and what they wore, and some Dutch words, interesting because quite mysterious.” Maud Thompson
“A story with history, action, and interesting characters, well adapted as a gift for girls.”
KOBBÉ, GUSTAV.All-of-a-sudden Carmen. il*$1.35 (3½c) Putnam 17-13315
The Metropolitan opera house is the scene of this story, and a little waif, left at the stage door, is the heroine. It is Yudels, the doorkeeper who, having picked her up, becomes her official father; but all of the company, from the prima donna down, help to mother her. She grows up amid the stage scenery. Stage properties are her playthings and she picks up the music of the operas as readily as she does the four languages spoken by the singers. Her favorite is always Carmen, the opera that was sung on the night of her arrival, and it is in Carmen that she makes her own first appearance on the stage.
“It is a pretty little story, light and improbable, but interesting.”
“The very slight plot is merely a thread on which to hang a detailed description of the world behind the scenes at the Metropolitan opera house, and of much of the mechanical ingenuity which goes to the production of grand opera. Singers whom all New York once flocked to hear are easily recognizable through the very thin disguises with which the author has cloaked them.”
“Famous opera stars of a generation ago cross the background of ‘All-of-a-sudden Carmen.’ ... It is a light story with a pleasant strain of sentimentality.”
KOBER, GEORGE MARTIN, and HANSON, WILLIAM CLINTON, eds. Diseases of occupation and vocational hygiene. il*$8 Blakiston 613.6 16-16701
“A collection of studies each by an expert in the particular subject. ... The essays are in three main groups. Part one discusses specific and systemic diseases of occupation; part two discusses first the cause and means of preventing occupational diseases, then the various occupations in which exposure to injurious conditions is involved. In part three there is a description of the unique Milan clinic for occupational diseases; then a discussion of statistics, their uses and their fallacies; and last, chapters that contain the latest study of legislation for the prevention of occupational disease; on the ‘rationale’ of making such diseases notifiable and including them in the records of vital statistics; on women’s and children’s work; and on administrative power and methods.”—Survey
“Although the respective articles have been written by a large number of men, it is exceedingly gratifying to note the general tone of conservatism displayed throughout, especially in the medical discussions.” P. N: Leech
“It is a storehouse of knowledge and will be immensely useful to the teacher of economics and sociology, to the business man, and to insurance officials, as well as to those in charge of public health work or the care of the sick. It deserves a place in every college or public library.” Carl Kelsey
“Intelligent citizens who may wish to obtain light upon the subject will find in this book a great abundance of information.”
“With editors and contributors of such caliber, the treatise produced is necessarily almost complete and authoritative. ... I believe one of the most important articles in the book is that written by Frederick S. Lee, professor of physiology at Columbia university. It is entitled ‘Fatigue and occupation,’ and in a scientific and dispassionate way endeavors to prove the close relationship of fatigue to occupation ... and specifically of the effect of the length of the working day upon the health of the workers.” G: M. Price, M.D.
“The book is a valuable asset to industrial medical literature. The eminence of its collaborators ... is an indication of its authoritativeness and its classic character. Its rangeof subjects and the exhaustive references to the original sources at the end of each chapter make it invaluable as a reference work. While not the first American treatise upon the subject, it is the most comprehensive.” T. G. Miller
“A valuable asset to industrial medical literature. ... While not the first American treatise upon the subject it is the most comprehensive.”
“The numerous bibliographies are valuable”
“Dr T. M. Legge’s section on arsenic poisoning is the best brief treatment of this subject known to the reviewer. ... The most serious problems of industrial life are accidents and tuberculosis, the industrial poisonings (except plumbism) being by comparison relatively unimportant. Accidents presumably fall outside the scope of this work but certainly industrial tuberculosis does not; yet dust removal and factory ventilation are scantily treated, while pages are devoted to rare intoxications, of interest only as medical curiosities. ... ‘Diseases of occupation and vocational hygiene’ contains much material which will make it a valuable reference book for the specialist, but it is not likely to supplant either of the two earlier works [W. Gilman Thompson, ‘Occupational diseases,’ G. M. Price, ‘Modern factory’] each of which so well fills its special field.” C. E. A. Winslow
“Basic data are presented with a simplicity, clearness, fulness and interest that at first conceal the magnitude of the completed task. The editors have appreciated the value of mechanical aids, such as heavy-faced type for headings, numbered divisions, paragraphs of moderate length and a good index.” G. S.
KOCH, THEODORE WESLEY.Book of Carnegie libraries. il*$3.50 (4c) Wilson, H. W. 022 17-27889
In 1907 Mr Koch, of the Library of Congress, issued a portfolio of pictures and plans of typical or notable Carnegie library buildings. This collection of plates is now reissued, together with an explanatory text, which the original work lacked. The book has an introduction by R. R. Bowker of the Publishers’ Weekly. In addition, there is a character sketch of Andrew Carnegie by Hamilton W. Mabie, reprinted from the Century, and a paper on Carnegie libraries and good reading, by Arthur E. Bostwick, of the St Louis public library. Mr Koch’s text consists of chapters on: Method of giving; Documents relating to the establishment of the New York city branches; The architecture of the Manhattan branches; Reaching the people; The Brooklyn branches; Eastern libraries; The public library of the District of Columbia; The South; Pittsburg; Ohio and Michigan; Wisconsin and the Middle West; Iowa and the farther West; The southwest and the Rocky mountain region; California; Library planning. Index to text, Index to plates, and List of plates follow.
KOEBEL, WILLIAM HENRY.British exploits in South America; a history of British activities in exploration, military adventure, diplomacy, science, and trade, in Latin-America. il*$4 (2½c) Century 980 17-14549
Mr Koebel, who has acted as special commissioner for South America for the London Sphere and Standard and has served as editor-in-chief of the “Encyclopedia of South America,” has written a number of books on the various South American states. “His ‘British exploits in South America’ covers a period of more than three hundred years. It opens with a picturesque account of the old English navigators and buccaneers who sailed the Spanish Main, and goes on to describe successively the work of the English and Irish Jesuits in the Spanish colonies, the British voyages of exploration in the eighteenth century, the development of British Guiana and the Falkland Islands, the exploits of the British in Brazil, the part taken by Englishmen in the wars of independence, the early relations of the English with the new republics, and the deeds of innumerable adventurous British travellers, traders, naturalists, and soldiers of fortune.” (Dial) Three aspects of British operations are emphasized: the large part played by capital, the exceptional ease with which the Englishmen took root in South America, and the fact that “almost all of the British achievements in South America have been the work of free lances.” The final chapter, “Today and tomorrow in South America,” is devoted mainly to a discussion of the commercial situation and outlook. Appended is a fifteen-page “Bibliography of modern works from 1870.”
“For the most part the present work is a compilation of extracts culled from contemporary accounts by British writers and pieced together into a somewhat disjointed narrative. The book is provided with illustrations more or less apt in reference and plan of insertion. The bibliography of works issued [since 1870] is not characterized by either accuracy or exhaustiveness, and lacks any sort of evaluation. That the works by Dawson and Scruggs should be mentioned twice, that Bourne’s treatise, along with numerous others of merit, is ignored, that the authorship of Helps’s volumes is ascribed to Oppenheim, and that a reprint of Humboldt’s account should be put down as a recent contribution, are defects not remedied by the inclusion of substantially all of Mr Koebel’s own books. Were Mr Koebel as familiar with the Spanish language and records as he is with those he actually uses, he would not have allowed so many errors and omissions to mar his pages.” W: R. Shepherd
“This is the book of an author full of his subject and evidently forms the result of many years of note-taking and much general and special reading. It is a permanent contribution not only to South American literature, but is also a noteworthy addition to the shelves of general romance and adventure.” T: Walsh
“A series of portrait sketches drawn with such surety and finesse that in the brief space allotted to each, the personalities of the most famous of the British soldiers of fortune stand out with extraordinary vividness. ... In the concluding chapter, after having studied the ‘bright side’ of British trade in South America, the author, with an equal candor, examines the reasons for its decline, during the past few years. And they are those we of the United States should also heed.” F. B.
“Mr W. H. Koebel—who, notwithstanding his German-sounding name, is a thoroughgoing Englishman ... speaks with authority on all matters pertaining to the contact of Europeans with Latin American resources, governments, and peoples. ... He gives evidence of an easy command of rich resources of memoirs, diaries, correspondence, and old books of travel and history: he has a keen sense of character, and his chapters make interesting reading.” F: A. Ogg
“Since the author perforce must introduce ‘true blue’ British sea-dogs and buccaneers, one feels he has achieved a triumph in divesting them of the slightest suspicion of rum, and never exploding on his pages an improper swear word.”
“The author has an irritating habit of peppering his page with irrelevant marks of exclamation. He lapses at times into rank journalese.But all deductions made, Mr Koebel has brought together a great deal of widely scattered information on South America and presented it in a popular and readable fashion.”
“While much of the matter in Mr Koebel’s book will not be new to those who have been sufficiently interested in South America to read its history, there is a freshness in the author’s literary style that makes a relation of an old, or even threadbare, fact peculiarly his own. He is a born story-teller.”
“The recent, somewhat unsatisfactory position of British commerce in those countries as contrasted with the rapid advance made by Germany before the war is frankly discussed in this volume.”
KOEBEL, WILLIAM HENRY.Paraguay. (South American ser.) il*$3.50 Scribner 918.9 (Eng ed 17-26318)
In addition to other books on individual South American countries, Mr Koebel has written a work on “South America,” published in 1913, and one on “The South Americans,” published in 1915. “He tells something of the romantic history of this smallest and least accessible of the South American republics. ... He describes the physical characteristics, the cities, the country in general, the people and their life, and devotes much attention to the resources and to the trade in cattle, timber, fruits, cereals.” (N Y Times)
“A verbose account of the land it describes in which one looks in vain for any real interpretation of the country. The book is largely a presentation of facts, more or less interesting. About two-thirds of the whole is history; the remaining third consists of chapters on various topics.” G. B. Roorbach
“Especially valuable and interesting for its detailed account of present-day conditions, a work for which the author is well fitted, as he has shown by several previous volumes in this series. ... The book is, indeed, a storehouse of all those up-to-date data desired by intending tourist or business man, or by the stay-at-home seeker after information.”
“Mr Koebel gives a really admirable description of the early history of the colony. ... One of the best chapters is the eighth, on ‘The Jesuit mission establishments.’ Mr Koebel treats the subject fairly and impartially. ... A highly prosperous future, if internal stability be maintained, almost certainly lies before this inland republic, but it is a prosperity of promise. Mr Koebel, drawing his information from official sources, undoubtedly paints a picture too roseate.”
KOHLER, MAX JAMES, and WOLF, SIMON.Jewish disabilities in the Balkan states. $1.50 Am. Jewish hist. soc. 17-7956
“This paper, amplified from the form of its original reading before the society and fortified by voluminous foot-notes, is valuable chiefly because of its compact summary of the legislation now existing in Rumania to the detriment of the Jewish population of that country; and, in consequence, thus formulating the terms of the problem which will arise when the present war in Europe is ended. ... The contributions of the United States to this problem have been almost continuous, beginning a full half-century ago with Mr Seward’s note to Turkey. ... All of these efforts, however, as Mr Kohler shows, were instigated by one or another of the organizations designed to further the political and other progress of the Jewish race; but it is none the less to the credit of American statesmen that the spirit of our diplomacy so readily and generously responded to the appeal.”—Am Hist R
“Mr Kohler has marshalled a line of impressive precedents which point the way for American influence to make itself felt beneficently.” G: H. Moses
“This volume constitutes one of the most important and valuable issues in the series of ‘Publications’ of this active society. ... Mr Kohler, the one author, is a prominent attorney and writer on historical and sociological topics of this city, Mr Wolf, the other collaborator, is the venerable champion of Jewish rights at Washington; for more than fifty years he has acted in support of the civil and religious rights of his brethren-in-faith at the national capital. ... The book is well printed, furnished with a comprehensive index, and conveniently bound.”
“Though primarily intended as a contribution to the literature on Jewish history and not written in a form which will attract the general reader, the present volume is likely to help in formulating the policy of this country concerning European reconstruction after the present war. Its scholarship and authority give it unusual weight as a brief for American intervention on behalf of the oppressed Jews in Rumania and other Balkan states.” Bruno Lasker
KORNILOV, ALEKSANDER.Modern Russian history; being an authoritative and detailed history of Russia from the age of Catherine the Great to the present. 2v maps*$5 Knopf 947 17-8743
“The material chiefly employed in this book by a Russian professor was originally used in his lecture courses at the Politecnicum of Peter the Great in Petrograd within the past two years. It embraces a sketch of Russia’s development as state and people down to the year 1866. The author does not attempt to trace the development of the various Russian nationalities, but aims to expand the history of the Russian people. It is not with Russia’s external history that he deals, but with its social, cultural and inner history. ... The study closes with the year 1890. But in a supplementary section, Mr Alexander S. Kaun, the translator, writes some complementary chapters, although he disclaims all thought of directly continuing M. Kornilov’s work.”—Boston Transcript
“Here is an excellent book on a subject about which there is little good literature in English, and it is made almost unreadable for us by the incompetence of the translator. The title is misleading. It promises a general history of Russia, but the work is almost confined to Russian institutions and political development in the last century and a half. Foreign relations and wars and expansion of territory are touched upon only in a casual and rather slipshod manner, and there are several errors in statement. Economic development comes out a little better, but not much, and there is nothing about such things as the progress of science, literature, or art. On its real topic the book is valuable. Being composed for Russians, it presupposes a certain knowledge of Russian history on the part of its readers. In short, Professor Kornilov’s work is a scholarly, judicious compendium of an important subject, but it is not likely to prove attractive to many American readers. The transliteration of Russian words is in the main good.” A. C. Coolidge
“It is likely to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of Russia more than any other single work which has appeared in English in late years.” Abraham Yarmolinsky
“Mr Kaun’s addition is pertinent and readable. He does not enter into a discussion of the causes of the present war, but he aims to show the prevailing attitude of the Russian intelligentzia towards it.” H. S. K.
“Admirably written and reliable. The print of the two volumes is too fine for the comfort of the reader.”
“An outstanding work. Taking as its basis the best studies of Russian social and political development,—Kluchevsky’s ‘Survey of Russian history,’ and Miliukov’s ‘History of Russian culture,’—it is a lucid, dispassionate, discreetly documented and thoroughly reliable survey of the history of Russia in the nineteenth century.” L: S. Friedland
“It is a book for the student, not heavy, but with no particular attempt to attract the casual reader. The full index makes it excellent for reference.”
“The author is radical-liberal in his attitude. Nowhere in English, so far as we know, can one find so clear, simple, and yet somewhat philosophic an account of the growth of liberalism and democracy in the great Slav empire. Professor Kornilov is one of the first to interpret adequately the influence of the Russian publicists and the Russian newspaper press in the formation of parties and policies. He has also a fairly good ethnological account of the various tribes and nationalities which make up the Russian state and which have become more or less Russified. Unfortunately the extreme gaucherie of the translator has filled the pages with hideous Teutonisms and some almost unintelligible phrases.”
“It is a relief to feel that one is at last in the presence of a socially-minded and conscientious historian, who is gifted with the ability to assemble and organize complex data, and endowed with the power to see events, institutions and human relations in perspective. ... I wish especially to call attention to our author’s lucid treatment of the peasant problem.” D: Rosenstein
“The many tangled threads of Russian life and development are handled in a masterly way, making clear the growth of Russian liberalism through all its varied stages and manifestations. ... Professor Kornilov has the reputation of being a liberal, and therefore it is the more surprising to find his point of view entirely calm, cool, and detached. The hot heart of indignation does not beat in his literary breast, however much it may in his human frame. In that one respect his work seems somewhat defective, since it fails to give the reader an adequate idea in their true colors of Russian affairs and Russian life.”
“Naturally of a special interest to us to-day are the concluding chapters, which are packed with interesting information in regard to the various dumas, the zemstvos, the workmen’s movement, and the conduct of the war with Germany.”
Reviewed by R. Staughton
“For the first time, we now have an authoritative history of Russia, from the time of Catherine the Great to the third year of the great war.”
“Professor Kornilov’s ‘Modern Russian history’ is an excellent book, and it ought to have an enormous circulation in America. Based on lectures to students, it is written in a clear, luminous style. This history, more than any other book I have read, enables one to understand the Russian revolution of the year 1917, and its prodigious importance. The concluding pages of the book, written by Mr Kaun, intentionally forsake the calm historical manner of Professor Kornilov.” W: L. Phelps
KREHBIEL, HENRY EDWARD.Second book of operas; their histories, their plots and their music.il*$2 (3½c) Macmillan 782 17-7943
This book, devoted to some of the more recent developments in operatic music, supplements the author’s earlier “Book of operas.” Contents: Biblical operas; Bible stories in opera and oratorio; Rubinstein and his “Geistliche oper”; “Samson et Dalila”; “Die königin von Saba”; “Hérodiade”; “Lakmé”; “Pagliacci”; “Cavalleria rusticana”; The career of Mascagni; “Iris”: “Madama Butterfly”; “Der rosenkavalier”; “Königskinder”; “Boris Godounoff”; “Madame Sans-Gêne” and other operas by Giordano; Two operas by Wolf-Ferrari.
“Well written, authoritative, and has critical value.”
“For the musician and student of music rather than for the average opera-goer.”
“As in his earlier work, the free expression of his own preferences and aversions contributes to the enjoyment of the book. Portraits of composers and performers abound, and there are a few facsimiles of autograph scores.”
“Mr Krehbiel writes with learning and authority, but without pedantry, and in an easy and pleasant style. It must be added that at times his prejudices sit heavy upon him.”
“One of the most refreshing things in this book is the enthusiasm for Humperdinck’s ‘Koenigskinder.’ Of particular interest also are the pages on Puccini’s ‘Madama Butterfly,’ in which the Japanese factors that enter into the texture of the score are made evident.” H: T. Finck
KROEGER, ALICE BERTHA.Guide to the study and use of reference books; 3d ed., rev. throughout and much enl. by Isadore Gilbert Mudge. $2.50 A. L. A. 028.7 17-23822
“The third edition of the guide is based, in the main, upon the second edition, 1908, and the two supplements for 1909-10 and 1911-13, but the many changes in reference books and developments in reference work and teaching since 1908 have necessitated many changes from the earlier edition. The general plan and arrangement of the second edition have been followed and Miss Kroeger’s introduction has been kept intact except that one section, ‘How to study reference books,’ has been made slightly more detailed. The lists of reference books, however, have been changed very materially and the annotations have been rewritten and much extended, so that this latter feature of the guide is practically new throughout, only a few annotations having been carried over from the second edition, although somewhat more have been retained from the two supplements. Aside from the new annotation, the revision of the lists of reference books has consisted principally of (1) excision of older titles and editions now superseded by more recent material, (2) addition of new titles including not only the recent books listed in the two supplements and later titles through 1916, but also a very considerable number of earlier titles, principally foreign or more special works not hitherto included in the guide, and (3) the addition of some entirely new lists, such as those on Constitutions, International law, Romances, Historical source books, English public documents, etc. ... In general, information included goes through 1916, and does not coverchanges, additions, etc., for 1917.” (Preface) Miss Mudge is reference librarian of Columbia university.
“A new edition of the guide, which is everywhere recognized as the foremost ‘guide to reference books,’ has been demanded by librarians in all parts of the country for the past five years, and the A. L. A. publishing board have been fortunate in securing for this important work the services of Miss Mudge, than whom there is no better judgment on the subject of reference books anywhere in the country. ... Absolutely necessary for all libraries making any pretensions at doing reference work, and recommended for purchase for all libraries having 5,000 volumes or more.”
“The new guide lists over one and a half times as many titles as the old edition and the notes are much more critical and minutely descriptive.” M. E. H.
KROPOTKIN, PETR ALEKSIEEVICH, kniaz.Mutual aid: a factor in evolution.*$1.25 Knopf 301 A17-1635
A reprint of a work published in 1902. “At the beginning of the war in 1914, Prince Kropotkin determined to prepare a reprint of his ‘Mutual aid.’ He put it forth as evidence of his belief that the constructive forces of men are at work in spite of the destructive influences of the war, and that these will lead to a better understanding between men and eventually among the nations. In his discussion of the subject of mutual aid, he begins with the evidence of it to be found in animals, and he then proceeds by evolutionary stages through its aspects as found in the social lives of savages and barbarians, in the mediæval city, to its culmination in the modern state and community.” (Boston Transcript)
“As we read these pages it seems impossible that a man capable of such argument and discussion should have been imprisoned behind stone walls as a danger to his country. It was, however, not his country, but its autocrats that feared him and kept him in an exile that is now ended. Prince Kropotkin is at last free to return to Russia and to take part in the government that by his voice and his work he has succeeded in establishing.” E. P. E.
“Those who are old enough to read, and to think seriously, should read this book. Those who are old enough to have read it already, should read it again.” B: C. Gruenberg
“This sociological study of Prince Kropotkin’s, so full of the generosity and humaneness of the Russian temperament at its best, is in many ways valuable for its instruction, and will be found not lacking in inspiring qualities even by those who think it unduly neglectful of the egoistic instincts and who regard its conception of progress as one-sided; though, of course, the author might reply that individual achievement, such as Plimsoll represented, or Lord Shaftesbury, may be gained by the dedication of exceptional powers to the common good.”
KRYSHANOVSKAYA, V. I.Torch-bearers of Bohemia; tr. from the Russian by Juliet M. Soskice.*$1.40 (1½c) McBride 17-11467
This book by a modern Russian woman tells a story of medieval Bohemia. The time of the story spans the last years of John Hus, from 1401 to 1415. John Hus and Jerome of Prague are two dominant figures in the story, altho its plot is built about the figure of Rugena, a young girl betrothed from childhood to Count Vok of Waldstein. This betrothal is brought about by Bishop Brancaccio, in whom the corruption of the church of the time is exposed at its lowest depths. By lying and forgery he represents the marriage as the will of the girl’s father, whom he has murdered. The two reformers, Hus and Jerome, both play a part in the girl’s later history.
“The novel certainly deserves recognition, if only for the fact that it is perhaps the only work of fiction dealing with the period of John Hus. It has the romantic fascination of the past, and the English reader will find a familiar atmosphere in the book, owing to the excellent translation which has preserved the peculiarities of the epoch through a masterly use of old English and of the traditional methods of Scott and Reade. The author has been true to historical facts.”
“‘The torchbearers of Bohemia’ differs from the novels of Henryk Sienkiewicz only by greater condensation, a kinship that may be a distinction, but which fails to satisfy those whom modern Russian literature has trained to expect less of a surface treatment. ... Considered solely as a conventional historical novel, the book is vivid enough.”
“The author has made the theme of this book a round denunciation of everything German in the great days of Hus. ... Miss (or Mme) Kryshanovskaya has done a tremendous amount of historical reading for the artistic and historical touches that lend an air of verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative.” W. M. F.
“In the light of the present situation in Russia, it is peculiarly interesting to note the fire and sympathy with which the struggle for national and religious liberty in Bohemia is depicted by a Russian writer. The splendid personality of John Hus dominates the volume, and gives us an illuminating portrait of that great martyr.”
KUELLER, JO VAN AMMERS.Young lion of Flanders; a tale of the terror of war; tr. by C. Thieme. il $1.50 Stokes (Eng ed 17-10166)
“The book tells what happened to a peaceful, well-to-do Belgian family, one of the daughters of which had married a German. The principal character, the ‘Young lion of Flanders’ himself, is sixteen-year-old Léon Casimir. An expert motor cyclist, he becomes a dispatch rider in the Belgian army, and distinguishes himself at Marbeke, winning the approbation of the hero-king, Albert of Belgium. He has more than one narrow escape from death, and is very nearly shot with a number of other prisoners.”—N Y Times
“It is told as much by suggestion as by direct description. For appalling as is its revelation of German ‘frightfulness’ and perfidy, it is remarkably restrained.”
“It is not exclusively juvenile readers who will be held by this stirring story, of which the translation is exceptionally fluent and satisfactory.”
“Léon’s adventures will thrill young readers, but the sad and bitter tone of the book puts it into the adult class.”
“The story, the author tells us, was written that her own children might learn thru reading it the horror and futility of war. It seems more probable that the prowess of the boy Leon, and his thrilling adventures would appeal to the heart of youth as glorious.”
“It is all quite dreadful enough—unbelievably dreadful, we would have thought it a few years ago. But in the light of our present knowledgewe are inclined to feel that in his evident effort not to overstate the author has rather understated his case.”
“The four pictures by Raemaekers with which it is illustrated are even more illuminating than the text.”
KUENZLI, FREDERICK ARNOLD.Right and duty; or, Citizen and soldier; Switzerland prepared and at peace a model for the United States. il $1 (2c) National defense inst., Tribune bldg., N.Y.; for sale by Stechert 355.7 16-25197
The author, a native of Switzerland now living in the United States and acting as assistant appraiser at the port of New York, describes the Swiss system of military training and urges its adoption in America. The text of the military constitution of the Swiss federation is given at the close of the book. There is neither table of contents nor index.
“The preparedness discussion has brought out a number of articles and books expository of the Swiss military system, but this interesting volume is perhaps the most comprehensive and most illuminating of them all.”
K’UNG YUAN KU’SUH.Judgment of the Orient.*60c (6c) Dutton 940.91 17-10431
“Some reflections on the great war made by a Chinese student and traveller, edited and rendered into colloquial English by Ambrose Pratt.” (Title-page) Brief observations as to the characteristics of the different peoples of Europe as they impressed him in his travels, are followed by the author’s discussion of the sex of nations. A nation, like a human being, has a soul, and the soul of the nation like that of the human being has sex. Germany has a female soul. He says, “The psychological genesis of the war between Germany and Europe is sexual. It is a war between the femininity of Germany and the masculinity of her neighbors—especially the masculinity of England.”
“Here is food for thought for the wisest.”
“The opinions recorded have a rapier-like penetration and cannot fail to be a source of satisfaction to those who have the cause of the Allies at heart.”
“It is certainly an ungallant theory as regards woman. ... It is nevertheless an exceedingly curious and interesting speculation, and from the Chinese point of view, certainly does not lack arguments to support it.” J. W.
“If, in the flood of foolish writing about the war, more nonsense has anywhere else been packed within the narrow limits of seventy-two small pages, it has not been the reviewer’s ill fortune to see the work.” H. R. M.
KUNZ, GEORGE FREDERICK.Rings for the finger. il*$6.50 (6½c) Lippincott 391 17-7933
Dr Kunz, author of “The curious lore of precious stones,” has prepared another valuable book drawing on his wide knowledge of jewels and ornaments. In this book he has treated of “Rings for the finger, from the earliest known times to the present, with full descriptions of the origin, early making, materials, the archæology, history, for affection, for love, for engagement, for wedding, commemorative, mourning, etc.” (Title-page) The titles of the chapters are: The origin, purposes and methods of ring wearing; Forms of rings and materials of which they are made; Signet rings; Some interesting rings of history; Betrothal (engagement) rings, wedding (nuptial) rings, and love tokens; The religious use of rings; Magic and talismanic rings; Rings of healing; Ring making. There are 290 illustrations, some in color.
“In his registry of pretty ‘posies’ he revives delightfully a bit of seventeenth century sentimentality.”
“No review could indicate all the information in this exhaustive study of rings.”
“The illustrations to the book are, from the point of view of reproduction, of exceptionally high quality, but they appear to have been selected a little at random.”
“Will have permanent value as a reference book.”
“Contains bibliographical foot-notes.”
“A veritable encyclopedia of fascinating lore. Reproductions of paintings of persons wearing rings are included in the 220 illustrations in color, double-tone, and line.”
“The student and the collector will find the clear and well-arranged plates of great value, while other readers will look with interest at the reproductions of portraits showing the rings as they were actually worn by their owners.”
“Dr Kunz has the vantage point of the Metropolitan museum of New York, with which he is connected, as an initial source for his studies and his rank as an authority on this and kindred subjects is now established.”
“Dr Kunz has drawn on the most diverse sources for his materials, and has brought together an extraordinary amount of curious learning. He has not, however, the gift of lucid order. ... If the reader tries to find a connected answer to any question that suggests itself, such as the development of the ring forms, he finds himself baffled by wealth of matter and insufficient method.”
KUPRIN, ALEXANDER IVANOVICH.Bracelet of garnets, and other stories; with an introd. by W: Lyon Phelps. il*$1.35 (2c) Scribner 17-13619
In his selection of stories for this volume, Leo Pasvolsky has had the advice of the author. In a letter from Mr Kuprin, eight of the stories here translated were named as among those he considered “most successful.” “There is wholeness about Kuprin as a writer, which breathes of the strength and power of Russia herself,” writes Mr Pasvolsky. This quality, he says, is brought out best in the longer stories, of which “The bracelet of garnets,” is one. Another side of Kuprin’s art is shown in the very short story, also represented in the volume. In addition to the title story the book contains: The horse-thieves; The Jewess; Anathema; The Læstrygonians; An insult; The park of kings; An evening guest; A legend; Demir-Kayá; The garden of the Holy Virgin. The translator is editor of the Russian Review.
“The book as a whole, however, while no less searching in its psychology and no less unsparing in its truth, than ‘The party’ and ‘The eternal husband,’ has an atmosphere of normality and restraint which make a stronger appeal to Anglo-Saxon minds.”
“This cheerful note rings through all Kuprin’s works, and places him quite apart from his pessimistic contemporaries—Andreyev, Sologub,and Artsibashev. But he falls far behind them as an artist; he lacks their intensity and reserve. The excellent translation of Mr Pasvolsky does not redeem the platitudinousness of the allegories placed in the end of the book.”
“Brilliant little studies in character or atmosphere, some compressed into half a dozen pages.”
“Two volumes of collections of the short tales of one of the most eminent of living Russian novelists, Alexander Kuprin, have recently been translated, ‘A Slav soul’ and ‘The bracelet of garnets.’ Scarcely any duplication appears, although the biting satire, ‘Anathema,’ is seen in each volume. ‘The garden of the Holy Virgin,’ is a noble illustration of the poetic beauty of Kuprin’s style, when he deals with an exalted theme.” W: L. Phelps