6–32359.
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Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.
Reviewed by Wm. M. Payne.
“She knows her story well, and she knows her people, and draws the vulgar, convention-ridden, lower middle class with their dull and sordid lives, made up so exclusively of raiment and food, with a certain truthful if incisive cruelty.”
Finn, Frank.Ornithological and other oddities. **$5. Lane.
“A collection of thirty-eight short articles, which have appeared in various English publications. All but six deal with birds, and some of the subjects are of unusual interest.” (Nation.) “The author’s aim has been to bring together all the out-of-the-way facts about the creatures he writes about, and his choice of instances has been a very happy one. The chapter on the ‘Toilet of birds’ may serve as a sample. Herein he discusses the uses of the birds’ oil-gland, or as he calls it, ‘pomatum-pot,’ and the still more curious ‘powder-puff’ and ‘comb.’” (Acad.)
“There is not a dull line in the whole volume, while the illustrations are remarkably good.”
“Few of the separate sketches, touching as they do merely the fringe of the subject under discussion, run any risk of exhausting either itor the reader. Being drawn mainly from the aviculturist’s point of view rather than from that of the field naturalist, they should appeal specially to frequenters of zoological gardens and museums.”
“The width of his knowledge gives some of his essays unusual distinction.”
“The most valuable portion is that dealing with the birds of India, a country where Mr. Finn has spent many years.”
“Despite its title, which we cannot regard as other than cheap, Mr. Finn’s book is not to be passed over by anyone interested in observation and fond of birds. Distinguished by a note of individuality in the observations that are recorded and the speculations they give rise to.”
“It is to be wished that Mr. Finn would embody in fuller and more connected form the observations and experience which this book communicates in a series of more or less closely related reminiscences.”
Finnemore, John.Jack Haydon’s quest.†$1.50. Lippincott.
A blood curdling tale “about a mining engineer, an expert on rubies, who, with a magnificent ruby in his pocket, was on his way home from India when he suddenly dropped out of sight in Brindisi. Thereupon his son and two adventurous friends, believing him to have been kidnapped and carried back ... to a remote part of India by a wicked native ... started out to rescue him. And if there is any sort of danger, by wind, or waves, or wild beasts, or wicked men, through which they did not wade up to their chins, it is merely because there was not room in the book’s 300 pages for another incident.”—N. Y. Times.
“Experiences in Burma, which Mr. Finnemore recounts with skill.”
“Barring a marked tendency to verbosity, it is a well-told tale.”
Finot, Jean.Race prejudice, tr. by Florence Wade-Evans. $3. Dutton.
7–13005.
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“M. Finot argues for national peace and fraternity and endeavors to find argument and reason for universal brotherhood in the underlying principles and traits of our common humanity.”—R. of Rs.
“For larger libraries only.”
“The general thesis of the writer is sound. Some of the individual illustrations and bits of evidence are probably overdrawn or not understood. His discussion of the situation of the negro in the United States is scarcely fair.”
“On the whole M. Finot’s work reads smoothly in its English version. His employment of the destructive method to wreck the conclusions of anthropologists must be pronounced more entertaining than convincing.”
“The net impression of the volume is that of an able but somewhat too zealous special pleading for a cause that certainly makes a philanthropic appeal.”
“The book is from first to last uncritical; there is no careful weighing or discrimination of authorities.”
“M. Finot’s volume, while it does not escape the exaggeration natural to an enthusiastic advocate, contains much matter that is of interest to students of international relations and racial history.”
“We observe a few instances of the entire misapprehension of things in this country. The only ground for adverse criticism [of the translation] is in the fact that in some cases French words are retained for which there are fairly adequate equivalents in English. The work is one which urgently demands an index, the absence of which is much to be regretted.”
“Upon some questions of fact, with which the writer of this paragraph is familiar, the author has certainly failed to tell the whole truth with impartiality. While recognizing these drawbacks, we commend this book to the thoughtful consideration of all students of the race problem. It is far from furnishing a solution of that problem, but it throws no inconsiderable amount of light upon it.”
Fischer, George Alexander.This labyrinthine life: a tale of the Arizona desert. $1.50. Dodge, B. W.
7–11590.
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The aim of this book which portrays the struggles of a tuberculosis colony in Arizona is to present camp-life as it is, so that the invalid can judge as to whether he is in a position to undertake it; to show to the humanitarian and the sociologist that really great results in saving life and in relieving suffering can be achieved by a very moderate outlay; to indicate that it is the duty of the United States government to take the subject in hand following private initiative.
“Although any effort to arouse interest in the care of consumption is entitled to respect, when a treatise of this kind masquerades as fiction, it is as fiction that it must be judged. From this point of view ‘This labyrinthine life’ lacks the vitality of the dime novel without greatly surpassing it in probability or workmanship.”
“Mr. Fischer has managed to make out of his material a readable tale that is half novel, half a series of sketches, and wholly a disquisition upon consumption and its treatment in the desert region.”
Fisher, Clarence Stanley.Excavations at Nippur. (Babylonian expedition of the Univ. of Penn.) 6 pts. ea. pt. $2. C. S. Fisher, Rutledge, Delaware co., Pa.
Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.
Fisher, George Park.The reformation. Rev. ed. *$2.50. Scribner.
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“The book has been reset in clearer type; the notes and the excellent bibliography show keen interest in the publications of the past ten years; tho it must be confessed that the literature of the previous twenty find a scantier recognition. The text shows many minor changes, but as the title-page states, it is simply a revision.”—Ind.
“[The opinion of the reader of it] will necessarily be favorable, for it has long held a high place, in spite of a certain timidity in dealing with controverted points, an apologetic tone, which might suggest, though erroneously, that the convictions of the author are wavering and weak.” Franklin Johnson.
Fisher, Gertrude Adams.Woman alone in the heart of Japan. $2.50. Page.
6–39433.
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The author with only her camera for company ventured into the remotest corners of Japan and tells in an entertaining fashion of her experiences in the smaller villages and towns where western civilization has not yet penetrated.
“We can only conclude that the authoress was employed by a yellow editor to paint the boldest of yellow races in her lividest colours. Her pages are lively, graphic, good-tempered—but never beautiful.”
“Her book is more frank and outspoken than the books of most men regarding this much visited land, and impressions may be obtained from it that are hardly to be gained from any other recent work.” Wallace Rice.
Fisher, Irving.Nature of capital and income. *$3. Macmillan.
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“In five divisions Prof. Fisher treats of the fundamental concepts of capital and income, capital and income separately, then together, and, finally, there are summaries of the different divisions in the last two chapters. Like other books on the subject, such topics as wealth, property, utility, earnings, etc., are dealt with.”—N. Y. Times.
“It must be said that while Professor Fisher presents his arguments in defense of his conceptions of capital and income with force as well as with confidence, it is doubtful whether they will carry conviction to any mind not already prejudiced in their favor.” Henry R. Seager.
“Of little interest to the average citizen. We believe this work of Professor Fisher’s will tend only to add to the general confusion in political science.” Robert E. Bisbee.
“In point of thorough workmanship and nice finish, the volume stands in refreshing contrast to much—we had almost said most—of the economic writing in these days of unlimited license to produce undigested and undigestible literature. So workmanlike is his performance that it is with regret that we are unable to rate the work more highly as a contribution to economic theory. Highest praise should be given to the author’s discussion of capital and income accounts and of capital and income summation.”
“The ‘dreary science’ has seldom received a breezier contribution, or one of more original treatment.”
“Has not only a scientific interest for the theoretical student of economics, but also a human and vital interest for the accountant and the business man.”
*Fisk, George Mygatt.International commercial policies, with special reference to the United States: a text book. (Citizen’s lib.) *$1.25. Macmillan.
A thorogoing hand-book which provides in a form available for students of economics and general readers a systematic treatment of the politics of international commerce. The author discusses the development of modern commercial politics, including free trade, protection, customs in all their phases, commercial treaties, public trade promoting institutions and navigation politics.
Fisk, May Isabel.Talking woman. Il. †$1.25. Harper.
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Quite as tho he had in reality met this procession of chatterers and been “talked to death” does the reader lay down Mrs. Fisk’s book of monologues. It isn’t the woman with the forgivable little foible, but the voluble one who parades her own selfish interests to the exclusion of all others. The invalid, At the theatre, The new baby, A woman inquiring about trains, An afternoon call, The boardinghouse keeper and Her first trip abroad are suggestive of humorous as well as true-to-life possibilities for hits.
“Amusing but trivial.”
Fitch, Michael Hendrick.Physical basis of mind and morals. $1. Kerr.
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“A primer of socialism ... which makes an effective appeal to untrained thinkers, and for that reason deserves consideration by every one interested in exerting counter influence.”—Am. J. Soc.
“On the whole, it must be said that, though the book abounds with sensible remarks and just criticisms of present social conditions, it is an example of that pseudo-science which has brought disrepute upon the social sciences among men of scientific training; and that the less of such books with scientific pretensions we have published, the better it will be for the social sciences.” A. W. S.
Reviewed by Franklin H. Giddings.
Fitch, William Clyde.Her own way: a play in four acts. **75c. Macmillan.
7–17031.
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The clever four act comedy which Maxine Elliott made famous is now brought out in book form, dedicated to the actress who created Georgiana Carley and endeared her wilful personality to all who watched her romping with her brother’s children, or successfully directing her own love affairs despite the intervention of fate and family.
Fitch, (William) Clyde.The truth; a play in four acts. **75c. Macmillan.
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Becky Warder, in whom has been born and bred the habit of petty falsehood, learns in the course of these four acts to speak the truth. She fibs to her husband, whom she adores, about hats, about her gambler father’s needs, and finally about her meetings with Jack Lindon, the man from whom her best friend has separated. The net of white lies closes about her, her much enduring husband ceases to believe in her, and in her trouble she comes to realize the truth is essential to happiness.
“A good play to ‘read ’round’ in a literary club.”
*Fitzpatrick, Sir James Percy.Jock of the Bushveld.**$1.60. Longmans.
The story of a brindled bull-terrier’s life and death, in which the development of dog-intelligence goes hand in hand with realistic dogfights and terrifying brutality. Many passages show the distinction between a real love of nature and a mere sportman’s interest in game. “Among the more exciting episodes are the killing of the ‘old crocodile’, the adventure with the leopard and the baboons, and that of the koodoo cow, in which Jock received the kick that nearly killed him, and left him stone-deaf for the rest of his days.” (Ath.)
“The narrative has all the freshness and charm of a transcript of real life. Though it is strong meat for the little ones, boys of a larger growth and adults will find it difficult to lay the book aside till the last page has been reached.”
“To children it can be whole-heartedly recommended. By that select audience of older people who have been long waiting for a South African classic it will be welcomed with surprise and delight.”
“Here is one of the really worth while books, one of the books which have the truth of life and nature in them.”
Fleming, Walter Lynwood.Documentary history of reconstruction, political, military, social, educational, and industrial, 1865 to the present time. 2v. $10. Clark, A. H.
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v. 1.The first of two volumes whose purpose is to make some of the sources relating to the political, military, social, religious, educational, and industrial history of the reconstruction period more easily accessible to the student and the general reader. “The six chapters of this first volume deal with the South after the war, theories of reconstruction, reconstruction by the president, race and labor problems, the Freedman’s bureau and bank, and Congressional reconstruction. It covers the years 1865–1868. Every chapter has a brief historical introduction, a topical bibliography and a collection of extracts grouped in analytical array.” (Ind.)
v. 2.The second volume of this documentary history “gives ample material to illuminate actual conditions under the Reconstruction governments, with special reference to race relations, political morality, and economic, educational, and religious matters during the carpet-bag régime, and the final undoing of Reconstruction.”—Dial.
“The work has the limitations which are inseparable from all source-books of limited size, but it also has what many source books have not, namely, interest.” J. G. de Roulhac Hamilton.
“The material throughout is interesting and valuable.” J. G. de Roulhac Hamilton.
“Little can be said in the way of criticism upon the text of the book.”
“The verdict is that Dr. Fleming has produced a very fair and candid work which will be of great help to all who wish to get a first hand idea of the great and enduring problems arising out of the civil war and subsequent conditions.”
“On the whole, the work is very creditable to both publisher and editor. However, one can regret that there were not a few more editor’s notes. In several cases, these were really necessary to throw light on the documents used.” David Y. Thomas.
“To any one who wishes to make a thorough study of reconstruction, these volumes will be invaluable.”
“Professor Fleming’s collection will be invaluable to him when he comes to write his own great history of reconstruction. It can never be of fundamental value to another scholar.”
“As a massing together of illustrative material for future historical work it is of extreme value.”
“Like so many others, he succeeds better as a delver for historical material than as a writer of history. Not unlikely, his true vocation is to such work as went to the making of these volumes.”
“The most serious defect, as it seems to me, appears in the author’s readiness to accept current popular account of certain important facts without that thorough investigation of them, which he might have given.” Guy Stevens Callendar.
Fletcher, Charles R. L.Introductory history of England, v. 2, From Henry VII. to the restoration. *$2. Dutton.
A history for boys. “With remarkable skill Mr. Fletcher contrives to illustrate with the minimum of dry material those clear and balanced generalizations which form the main value of history as a school study. Problems and situations are summed up with the necessary concentration which the older text-books lacked, yet for the most part with scholarly precision.” (Acad.)
“In spite of these unconventional views, on the whole Mr. Fletcher’s book is a valuable addition to our school literature, it is the outcome of the new historical school and puts the different personages before us in a way not to be found in any other school history.”
“The only blot on his book is the colloquialism, not to say the ‘slang,’ which mars many passages.”
“To Mr. Goldwin Smith alone, in his history of England, can we compare Mr. Fletcher for his gift of luminous succinctness. He has also the invaluable power of keeping the thread—the artist’s eye for what is salient. He gives us the bones that we ask for, but he does not forget to clothe them with life.”
“Mr. Fletcher’s work has but two defects. He hates therefore to waste words, but he must sedulously avoid the temptation to make use of allusive compression. In the next place, there exists a possibility that our author may fail, as most of us do, to see exactly where his own strength lies.”
“The book is full of independent yet well-reasoned and generally reasonable opinion, and is illuminated by many excellent phrases.”
Fletcher, Stevenson W.Soils, how to handle and improve them. (Farm lib.) **$2. Doubleday.
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The author says, “This book is an attempt to set forth the important facts about the soil in a plain and untechnical manner. It is not a contribution to agricultural science, but an interpretation of it.” A popular treatment dealing with the nature and management of soils, soil water, soil builders, benefitsof tillage, objects and methods of plowing, harrowing and cultivating, rolling, planking, hoeing, drainage, irrigation, fertilizers, etc.
“It is to be regretted, however, that the author has in many cases sacrificed accuracy to happiness of statement; that in the avoidance of technical terms and the use of everyday ones, he has not always succeeded in choosing such as were truly synonymous. Had his manuscripts been overhauled at certain points by a chemist, and at others by a biologist, it would have been the better.”
“A simple, direct, and comprehensive statement, serviceable for class use, but offered mainly for the better instruction of the vast American multitude of men, engaged in different branches of farming.”
“It is not altogether with equanimity that we view the recent habit of publishers to push American text-books of agriculture in this country. This preliminary grumble over, we can honestly recommend Professor Fletcher’s book as containing a well-reasoned practical account of the nature and benefit of such operations as ploughing, subsoiling, and cultivating.”
“A book which, by reason of its excellent illustrations as well as its facts is a useful addition to current agricultural literature.”
Fling, Fred Morrow.Source book of Greek history. *$1. Heath.
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The author has aimed “to make a collection of sources that would reflect the life and thought of the Greek people, and, to some degree the evolution of that life and thought.” The extracts from Greek literature and the full page photographs of objects of Greek art chosen will be of use to the teacher as a means of introducing the pupil to Greek literature and art, and will also prove valuable as illustrative material when supplemented by narrative history.
“Altogether, it is a work of a helpful and needed sort, particularly well edited.”
Flint, Robert.Socialism. **$2. Lippincott.
Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.
“It is a keen, scholarly, comprehensive work, and presents arguments which no socialist can afford to pass by unchallenged. It contains however, one rather serious fault as a present-day document: more than half of it was written fifteen years ago, when the conservative socialists were less important in their class than they now are.” Eunice Follansbee.
Fogazzaro, Antonio.Patriot; tr. from the Italian with an introd. by M. Prichard-Agnetti. †$1.50. Putnam.
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“The patriot” is a “vivid portrayal of social life in Italy in 1848, the year of the tidal wave of revolution. This was the period when Italian patriotism burned fiercest, the period when the idea of a united Italy was born in the national consciousness. It is the epoch of his country’s martyrdom which the novelist describes in these throbbing pages—the ten years of ‘deadly, cold, and awful silence stretching from the disastrous field of Novara to the glorious days of Magenta, Solferino, and San Martino (1849–59).’”—Lit. D.
“The translation is excellent.”
“It is the epoch of storm and stress when the iron hand of Austria prest most heavily upon Italian aspirations. It is no figure of speech to say that Fogazzaro’s characters are real. They are reality itself, palpitating with life, and are perfect types of that Italian patriotism which in our time founded a great nation.”
“The translation is admirably vigorous and idiomatic, a true conveyance, one surmises, of a forthright and undecorated original.”
“The movement of the story is uneven, but the foreigner will hardly perceive that this unevenness is due to reality, but will deem it an artistic blemish.”
“As to the English edition of the ‘Antico,’ though the vigorous translation may tally with the dictionary, it does not always preserve the novelist’s originality of expression and atmosphere.”
“The story [is] rather diffuse and ill-balanced, however affecting.”
Fogazzaro, Antonio.The saint(Il santo): authorized tr.; with introd. by W. R. Thayer. †$1.50. Putnam.