Chapter 37

20–18678

“Prof. Drachsler gives us an interpretation of a careful statistical study of the facts of intermarriage in New York city among immigrant groups. In view of our heterogeneous population, he states, the national ideal must be redefined and our life consciously directed toward it. Approaching the problem merely from an economic or cultural point of view is not enough. The fusion of races in America, in short, must be cultural as well as biological, and it must take place under an adequate economic environment if an American ideal is to be achieved. The most specific proposal which Prof. Drachsler makes to accomplish this is to develop in our schools a conscious attempt to study the comparative literature, politics and history of the races represented therein in order that their heritages may continue to be an inspiration and force.”—Springf’d Republican

“Prof. Drachsler’s approach is a stimulating and suggestive appeal to facts.” J: M. Gaus

“Each reader will interpret these facts in accordance with his own point of view. It is a merit of the book that the facts have been divided from interpretation of the facts. The book will no doubt be recognized as one of the few valuable discussions on the problem of assimilation.” J. B. Berkson

DREIER, KATHERINE SOPHIE.[2]Five months in the Argentine from a woman’s point of view, 1918 to 1919. *$3.50 Sherman, F. F. 918.2

20–12791

“Miss Katherine S. Dreier, author of ‘Five months in the Argentine: from a woman’s point of view,’ faced the discomforts of her journey from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires and her sojourn there with an invincible sense of humor. She visited a great estancia (ranch) at Gualeguay and the Museum of natural history at La Plata, and writes about the general strike of January, 1919, but her principal concern was to study the status and training of women, the care of children, the organization of charity, and the control of prostitution.”—Nation

“If one would have a faithful picture of Buenos Aires, going into considerable detail as to living conditions, charities, business and pleasure, Miss Dreier’s book is to be recommended.”

DREISER, THEODORE.Hey-rub-a-dub-dub. *$1.90 Boni & Liveright 814

20–2927

“These essays concern Change, Some aspects of our national character, The American financier, Personality, The toil of the laborer, The reformer, Marriage and divorce, Life, art, and America, Neurotic America and the sex impulse—there are twenty of them, written in the authentic Dreiserian manner. Phantasmagoria splits the book in twain. It is a little cosmic drama in three scenes—The house of birth, The house of life, The house of death. It is the via dolorosa of the ‘Lord of the universe,’ his agglomeration, effulgence in life, and his ingression. The court of progress purports to be the record of the doings of the Federated chairman of the post federated period of world republics (2,760–3,923). This phantasmagoria is a celebration of the triumph of humanity over poets, cigarette fiends, saloon keepers, madams, socialists, Holy rollers, artists, and the like.”—N Y Times

“They are interesting in showing the philosophy which has been back of the vigorous, often shocking fiction of the author.”

“He states so many things that are not so, and he states them so arrogantly and cocksuredly, that the intelligent reader asks himself in amazement: ‘How can such an inane book—poorly written, full of repetitions, blatant in its irreligion, shameless in its immorality—find enough readers to warrant publication?’ Mr Dreiser has no saving sense of humor—hence this awful book.”

“Dreiser sets down his findings with all a greengrocer’s assiduity, and not a little of a greengrocer’s unimaginative painstaking. Here is a surprising absence of the creative instinct in a creative writer.”

“In his novels Mr Dreiser seems very much the thinker. One is astonished, consequently, to find how unsublimated a product he is of the benighted environment he describes in his last essay when he has no characters through whom to express himself. Very simple and almost purely emotional is the reaction upon life cloaked in the scientific verbiage of this book. One asks oneself whether the soul of Jennie Gerhardt is not really the soul of Mr Dreiser himself. One thing is certain; he is far more interesting as the painter of Jennie’s life than as the recorder of Jennie’s views.” Van Wyck Brooks

“Heavy and turgid and monotonous and sensuously obtuse as he seems to be, he makes his discussion interesting. He is himself sincerely interested, and he is writing because he has something to communicate. The truth seems to be that Theodore Dreiser’s mind is formless, chaotic, bewildered. In short, our leading novelist is intellectually in serious confusion, and needs a deeper philosophy than—hey rub-a-dub-dub.” F. H.

“Mr Dreiser’s style always reminds us of a college professor who has been ‘fired’ for trying to make his pupils think. He emits endless common-places with the air of having discovered something new. He is pedantic before the threadbare. In ‘The court of progress’ Mr Dreiser has written one of the most drastic satires ever written in this country. This ought to be printed separately and distributed by the million.”

DRESSER, HORATIO WILLIS.Open vision; a study of psychic phenomena. *$2 (2½c) Crowell 130

20–6883

The author asserts that he is not a spiritualist, that he has never received any communications through a medium, and that he has never investigated spiritism after the manner of psychical researchers. He classes all these investigations with those of other sciences that arrive at conclusions through external sources. What the book emphasizes is the psychical experience by direct impression, the inner vision and certainty that is independent of outward signs. That the spiritual world is, that we are of it and in it now, in life as well as in death, and that we can develop our awareness of it and our participation in it through the cultivation of an open vision seems to be the teaching of the book. A partial list of the contents is: The new awakening; Psychical experience; The awakening of psychical power; Principles of interpretation; The human spirit; Direct impressions; Inner perception; The future life; The book of life; The inward light; Positive values.

“Dr Dresser’s reasoning is systematic, but not powerful, his piety refined but not robust; his style expands discreetly in the calm of a featureless level.”

DREW, MRS MARY (GLADSTONE).Mrs Gladstone. il *$4 (6c) Putnam

20–6736

This loving tribute by her daughter reveals Mrs Gladstone as a personality of distinction in her own right, her happy family life, her sympathy for and her influence on her husband’s work. It has been the author’s privilege to share intimately her parents’ life from her birth to their death. Contents: Childhood and youth; Girlhood and marriage; Diaries in early married life; Letters from her; Letters to her; Characteristics; Good works; Reminiscences; “Via crucis—via lucis”; Genealogical table; Index and numerous illustrations.

“Her book is more a series of impressions and reminiscences than a biography. It is none the less interesting and authoritative on that account, however, and will serve very well in the place of a more extended and formal biographical record.” E. F. E.

“It is a little difficult for the outsider to know why three hundred pages were necessary to paint what must at best be a purely negative picture.” H. J. L.

“This volume should be heralded equally as a new chapter in the social and political history of the Victorian period and as a rare and beautifully filial tribute to a devoted mother, a highly accomplished and perennially charming woman.” F: T. Cooper

“It is trivial and unutterably dull.”

“So far as we can discover from this and other contemporary records, Mrs Gladstone was a good but stupid woman. There are a number of letters to Mrs Gladstone which show what exceedingly dull and commonplace letters are written by very distinguished people.”

DRINKWATER, JOHN.Lincoln: the world emancipator. *$1.50 (10c) Houghton

20–20308

The object of this book, written by an Englishman, is not to retell the life-story of Lincoln to Americans, but to use him as a symbol of the community of spirit and of the differences of national character between the two peoples and to show how he can serve as a reconciler in bringing about an intellectual and spiritual alliance between them. Contents: ‘Liberty’; ‘E pluribus unum’; Anglo-American union; Lincoln as symbol; Anglo-American differences; Lincoln as reconciler; History and art; Lincoln and the artists; An epilogue.

“The whole essay is a work of art. In form it is not in the least polemical, and if it is polemical in intent, then Drinkwater has brought polemics into the region of the fine arts.”

DRINKWATER, JOHN.Pawns; four poetic plays. *$1.50 Houghton 822

20–21989

The book is a collection of four one-act plays and has an introduction by Jack R. Crawford who says the plays are characteristic of the author’s point of view, namely, that peace and quiet are the natural concomitants of a mind loving beauty. “They are dramas expressed in poetry—the utterance of simple truths which we know beforehand, for of such are the materials of poetry and drama.” The plays are: The storm; The god of quiet; X = O; a night of the Trojan war; Cophetua.

“There is justice in the title. But the true figures of the stage—Falstaff or Iago or Œdipus—are not pawns. They are living beings.” J: G. Fletcher

“One quality in these ‘Pawns’ is clear: their artistic sincerity. The best play of the three, the largest in conception, the richest and simplest in emotion, and the soundest in workmanship, is the last in the book. [“X = O” in English edition]”

DRUMMOND, HAMILTON.Maker of saints. *$2.50 Dutton

20–10731

“In this tale of Italy in the days of Dante (who appears in person on the stage) the maker of saints is the sculptor Fieravanti, a peasant risen to fame and power by his wonderful statues of saints which to the simple countrymen are the real persons they represent. It is the visit of Fieravanti at the Court of Arzano to the proud old Count Ascanio of the house of Faldora, who has no son, but a beautiful, proud and unawakened granddaughter, that introduces a romance of the changing fortunes of noble houses amid the turbulence of medieval Italy.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup

“It is by no means easy to infuse much vitality into an imaginative tale of so long ago, but the author has undoubtedly achieved a measure of success in his undertaking.”

“The story is well told, with abundance of incident.”

“A capital romance but at the end the curtain drops too abruptly on the tragic climax of the story and leaves us a little doubtful as to the real issue.”

DU BOIS, JOHN HAROLD.Christian task. (New generation ser.) *90c (4c) Assn. press 261

20–13993

“A discussion of the supreme need of the age: how Christianity can satisfy it.” (Subtitle) In the author’s opinion the supreme need of the age “is the need of something to do, the need of some gigantic undertaking—in a word, the need of a task, or in still simpler Anglo-Saxon, the need of a job.” Contents: The need stated: the need of a task; The need analyzed: the need and the age; The need emphasized: the need and the war; The need satisfied: the need and the Christian task of establishing the kingdom of God on earth; The need summarized: Christianity and other related needs.

DUBOIS, WILLIAM EDWARD BURGHARDT.Darkwater: voices from within the veil. *$2 (3c) Harcourt 326

20–4763

“I have been in the world, but not of it. I have seen the human drama from a veiled corner, where all the outer tragedy and comedy have reproduced themselves in microcosm within. From this inner torment of souls the human scene without has interpreted itself to me in unusual and even illuminating ways.” (Postscript) And it is an unusual collection of essays, stories and parables alternating with “little alightings of what may be poetry.” Beginning with a “credo” and an autobiographical sketch, The shadow of years, the contents are: The souls of white folk; The hands of Ethiopia; Of work and wealth; “The servant in the house”; Of the ruling of men; The damnation of women; The immortal child; Of beauty and death; The comet. The interposed poetry is: A litany at Atlanta; The riddle of the sphinx; The princess of the Hither isles; The second coming; Jesus Christ in Texas; The call; Children of the moon; Almighty death; The prayers of God; A hymn to the peoples. Mr DuBois is author of “The souls of black folk,” “The negro,” etc., and is editor of the Crisis.

“We can admit the whole of Dr DuBois’ plea for the negro, although we cannot admit his argument, and we can do so because his argument is irrelevant. His picture of the majority of mankind, the ‘coloured’ races, being kept in subjugation by the, on the whole, inferior white races is, we feel, rather more poetic than scientific.”

“Written with tense feeling and a clean bitterness.”

“It is a stern indictment and one to which we cannot close our ears. It is a lesson, however, that cannot be driven home by storming, no matter how righteous be the anger. The significance of ‘Darkwater’ thus lies in the spiritual history of the author and in the passages of lyrical poetic beauty where he has expressed the extremity of racial pride.” M. E. Bailey

“Dr DuBois is undoubtedly the foremost spokesman of today for the negro, and as such his utterances command attention. It is doubtful whether Dr DuBois is as powerful or as convincing in his latest work as in its predecessor, ‘The souls of black folk.’” W. E. W.

“Whether in prose or verse, DuBois is always master of the instrument of expression. At times, as in the Litany at Atlanta, reprinted from the Independent, he rises to supreme eloquence. But his thought is not always on the same high level as his style.”

“It is a fact that his own ability to suffer and to feel the wrongs of his race so deeply is at once his strength, the reason for his leadership, and also his chief weakness. For it carries with it a note of bitterness, tinctured with hate, and the teaching of violence which often defeats his own purpose. Doubtless, few of us with sympathies so keen, with nerves so rasped, with wounds as raw, would do better. But still, some suppression of the ego, a lesser self-consciousness, and the omission of personal bitterness at all times would carry Mr DuBois and his cause much further.” O. G. V.

“It is sometimes said that Dr DuBois is bitter. If this new book of his is bitter, I do not know what bitter means. It is to me one of the sweetest books I have ever read. Dr DuBois is an artist, and his book must be reckoned among those that add not only to the wisdom but to the exaltation and glory of man. Because he is an artist, because he tells this story of his own people so simply and so charmingly, he establishes that kinship which is the essence of everything human.” F. H.

“There is a certain weakness in Professor DuBois’s reasoning, which is that his intense concentration on one subject leads him to turn general, universal wrongs into special negro wrongs. The error runs all through his book and disfigures it. If we disagree with much in this beautiful book, it is not possible to withhold the heartiest praise for the power of its statement, the force and passion that inspire it, and the entrancing style in which it is written.”

“Dr DuBois is too close to the struggle to see clearly the problems involved. His work is a creation of passion rather than intelligence. It is, on the whole, a volume which will convince only those already convinced of the justice and soundness of his position.”

“‘Darkwater’ is not merely the story of the negro. The success of Dr DuBois’ writing lies in the fact that it describes something universal. Every other persecuted race quickens with tragic memories at his words. Here is the story of the circumscribed Jew, of the Hindu, of the dark peoples whom imperialism holds in subjection. It is the old story of the undeserved human suffering, doled out by the world’s victors who enjoy the cruel display of their power.” M. W. Ovington

“Very able and pathetic book.”

“I believe that Dr DuBois has overstressed in his book the point of identity, not only of the colored races as such, but of the white and black races especially; yet I am equally sure that white men have overstressed the points of divergence. The signal service of this book is that it quite magnificently points out the white man’s error and makes clear as day the fact that the ‘race question’ is, at least to a great extent, a question of social environment.” R. F. Foerster

“His book affords a remarkable example of that elemental race-hatred which he himself so fiercely denounces. He ignores altogether the paramount importance of the economic basis of the problem, the fact that, given equal opportunity, the negro and the Asiatic would inevitably eat up the white man.”

“If one lays down the book with a sense of disappointment that in spite of its excellence it somehow misses greatness, at least he cannot easily silence in his ears ‘the voices from within the veil’ who speak through its pages. And if bitterness seems to be the quality which mars the power of Dr DuBois’ appeal, the white man has lost his right to complain.” N. T.

DUCLAUX, EMILE.Pasteur: the history of a mind; tr. and ed. by Erwin F. Smith and Florence Hedges. il *$5 Saunders

20–6556

“This is an American translation of a French book published in 1896. The pupil, friend and successor of Pasteur describes the successful quest of knowledge and the growth of the ardent mind which pursued it. He follows the same method in describing the successive triumphs of Pasteur from the studies in crystallography to the final attainment of the conception of immunity. He gives a brief account of the state of knowledge preceding the work of Pasteur, and is thus able to describe the problems in the form in which they presented themselves when the great investigator turned his attention to them.” (The Times [London] Lit Sup) “The translators, who are pathologists in the United States Department of agriculture, have appended an annotated list of persons mentioned in the book.” (R of Rs)

“Invaluable for the light it sheds on the dynamics of scientific research, this volume is not less suggestive for its portraiture of what Ostwald has called the classicist mind in science.” R. H. Lowie

“The book must always remain a classic in the history of science. The translation has been faithfully done.” A. S. M.

“The book has a permanent value independent of the progress that has been made since it was written.”

DUCLAUX, MARY.Twentieth century French writers (reviews and reminiscences). il *$2.50 Scribner 840.9

(Eng ed 20–11400)

“This volume was in the printer’s hands in August, 1914. For its publication today Madame Duclaux has added a post-war preface and interpolated a passage here and there.” (Nation) “She writes chiefly of the last fourteen years, and in studies all too brief characterizes the personalities and the work of Maurice Barrès, Romain Rolland, Edmond Rostand, Claudel, Jammes, René Boylesve. André Gide, Péguy, Barbusse, Duhamel, the Comtesse de Noailles and others.” (Ath)

“For readers unacquainted with contemporary French literature this volume should be a useful literary guide-book.”

“Many thanks should be given her by the English-speaking world for her brilliant and scholarly volume, arriving as it does when we need the stimulus and example of these French modernists.” C. K. H.

“The book has its insufficiencies of judgment, of course, apart from those created by an encroaching patriotism. But her defects are obvious; they spring readily from her qualities. She is interested in her chosen writers as complex individuals. As highly differentiated individuals she presents them; and in reaching for the core of personality she accomplishes something which is vital to criticism.” C. M. Rourke

“Substantially it is now what it was then, [August, 1914,] and therein lies its extraordinary value. The war turned everything into legend and made of every face an angel’s or an ogre’s mask. Now that the world is mildly and tentatively beginning to use its mind again, a book like this serves to mend the broken continuity of truth and to restore the normal temper of one’s studies.” Ludwig Lewisohn

“Mme Duclaux not only possesses the comprehensive vision that makes possible a synoptic view of surface phenomena, but she is gifted with that rarer sight which pierces, embraces and understands.” B. R. Redman

+ |N Y Timesp15 Ag 22 ’20 2500w

“Gives a better account of the most modern French literature than has yet been published in English.”

+ |Spec124:587 My 1 ’20 530w

“One’s first impulse, on reading Mme Duclaux’s book, is to cry, Here is a book by some one who knows what she is talking about! The impulse is too strong to be restrained, because the event is so rare in this field of literary criticism.”

DUGANNE, PHYLLIS.Prologue. *$2 (2c) Harcourt

20–14598

This is the story of Rita Moreland’s life during her teens, when she is developing from little girlhood to womanhood. The only child of a rather unsatisfactory marriage, she has some difficulty in adjusting herself to life. The story tells of her family life, her schooling, her home in New York, where she vibrates between Fifth avenue and Greenwich Village, her friends, and more especially her relations with the masculine sex. She alternates between perfect happiness and periods of bored discontentment with everything and can’t seem to “find herself.” The war finds her at work in an office, but the end of the war brings back to her Donald, with whom, at the story’s close, she stands at “the beginnings of things.”

“Two merits by no means discoverable in all first novels may be conceded to ‘Prologue’ at the outset. It commands to a marked degree technical dexterity and ease in expression, and—within the scope of its peacock-alley comprehension of life—it is decidedly entertaining. The book might be described as a study of flapper-psychosis—if there is such a thing. Anything tending to reveal character, or in any way interfere with inconsequent amours, is summarily dismissed by the author.” L. B.

“Miss Duganne writes with a clear, staccato, bird-like note; she visualizes men and things with cool precision.”

DUGUIT, LEÓN.Law in the modern state; tr. by Frida and Harold Laski. *$2.50 Huebsch 321

20–7266

“Professor Duguit’s introductory chapter closes with the following significant words, which summarize his book. ‘The idea of public service,’ he declares, ‘replaces the idea of sovereignty. The state is no longer a sovereign power in issuing commands. It is a group of individuals who must use the force they possess to supply the public need. The idea of public service lies at the very base of the theory of the modern state.’ The demonstration as to how this has come about occupies the body of the book. Through illustrations drawn primarily from French legal history, Duguit shows the growth away from state absolutism and from the idea of governments as sacrosanct bodies.”—Socialist R

“Of the acuteness of Duguit’s analytical powers there can, in general, be no doubt, and it therefore became a matter almost beyond understanding that he should fail to continue to appreciate the real nature of the doctrines which he attacks.” W. W. Willoughby

“The author makes out a strong case and the facts seem to be on his side. He answers his opponents with candor and courtesy and treats fairly and comprehensively all sides of the problem.”

Reviewed by Ordway Tead

“The translation by Frida and Harold Laski is very satisfactory, and the introduction by Professor Laski furnishes an invaluable background for an understanding of the volume.” A. J. Lien

DUMBELL, KATE ETHEL MARY.Seeing the West, il new ed *$1.75 (5c) Doubleday 917.8

A book designed as a convenient handbook for the westbound traveler. It is composed of five parts: The southern Rockies; The northern Rockies; The northwest; California; The southwest. There are two end maps, one showing national parks and railroads, the other showing motor highways. A four-page list of references comes at the end, followed by the index.

“To one who does not know the country ‘Seeing the west’ offers many valuable suggestions.”

“It is doubtful whether anyone has brought the same amount and quality of tourist information into so compact space before.”

DUNLAP, KNIGHT.Personal beauty and racial betterment. *$1 Mosby 575.6

20–7871

“The first part of the book, ‘The significance of beauty,’ seeks to explain in detail the characters of personal beauty—an explanation found exclusively in the reproductive needs of the race. The second part, ‘The conservation of beauty,’ points to its importance as an element in race improvement which, the author maintains, can according to all present evidence be brought about only by selection of the more fit. It also discusses briefly some of the more disputable means of eliminating the entirely unfit. Above all, however, the author directs his argument against economic interest as the decisive factor in selection and effectively presents the case for the cultivation of beauty and love marriage as indispensable to race preservation.”—Survey

Reviewed by E. S. Bogardus

“In the recent literature of sexual selection and of eugenics there have been few more stimulating contributions than this one by Professor Dunlap. It is worth a place in the social hygienist’s library.” P. P.

“Professor Dunlap’s study of personal beauty as an element in race betterment is original and suggestive; it is, however, little more than a string of ex cathedra propositions presented without evidence or citation of authority other than his own observations.”

DUNN, ARTHUR WALLACE.How presidents are made. *75c (2½c) Funk 329

20–8653

The book is a historical survey of the conditions and circumstances that surrounded the campaigns of the various presidents. The author takes no stock in the general impression that presidents are elected on “issues,” but thinks that personality and opportunity play a greater part and that often the result depends on accident or incident. Contents: Caste and political parties; Federalism and states’ rights—Adams and Jefferson; The Virginia succession—Madison and Monroe; Developing issues—slavery and the tariff; Passing of congressional caucus—Adams; Personal popularity a factor—Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison; Slavery and the northern boundary as factors—Polk; The Mexican war—Taylor; Slavery issue looming; Slavery compromise—Pierce; Anti-slavery republicans defeated—Buchanan; Extension vs. restriction of slavery—Lincoln; The soldier vote and war issues—Lincoln and Grant; Liberal republican movement—Grant vs. Greeley; The electoral commission—Hayes vs. Tilden; Third term issue—Garfield; Mugwump independency—Cleveland; Protectionist tariff—Harrison; The tariff and free silver—Cleveland; Gold standard vs. free silver—McKinley; “Imperialism,” silver, the tariff—McKinley; Personal popularity—Roosevelt; Tariff and personal influence—Taft; Republican disharmony—Wilson; Anti-war sentiment and tactical mistakes—Wilson; The negro as a political factor; Prohibition, suffrage, socialism.

“One takes up this little volume expecting a dry-as-dust account of the operations of the primaries, the electoral college, etc. Instead he finds a narrative alive with human interest.”

“It is a meager and sketchy book, without distinction in research or judgment, but it does ‘hit the high spots’ in such a way as to bring the records of past campaigns briefly to mind, and it is written in a fair spirit, with a practical understanding of events and with intelligent discrimination.”

DUNN, COURTENAY FREDERIC WILLIAM.Natural history of the child. *$2 (2½c) Lane 392

20–4905

Although the author of this volume is a physician the book is not written from a medical or scientific point of view. It is rather the traditions, prejudices and customs which have surrounded childhood from time immemorial dressed in an entertaining, humorous garb, “a history of childhood which for the greater part has been grubbed up from ancient and scarce books, obscure pamphlets and papers.” (Foreword) Contents: Him before he was; His ancestry; His early life—legal infancy; His name; His environment; His language; His schooldays; His schooling; His development; His play; His religion; His mental condition; His naughtiness; His afflictions.

“Those portions which come from browsing in old books are particularly interesting and amusing.”

“He has selected a very diverting lot of quotations, which are strung together on his own agreeable reflections in a book that will be read with interest by every child-lover.”

“On every sort of aspect of child life, from christening ceremonies or the custom of infant marriages to the evils of thumb-sucking and the use of indiarubber ‘soothers,’ there is the same entertaining jumble of the results of disjointed research. Unfortunately Dr Courtenay Dunn cannot resist the lure of being ‘bright.’”

“Its contents, far from being prosy or dull to any but the mother or nurse, are, on the other hand, most interesting to any reader who has in him a trace of the antiquary.”

“Dr Dunn has burrowed with great industry and good results among old and sometimes scarce books and pamphlets; and the light and airy style in which he starts writing must not prejudice us against his work.”

DUNN, JOHN DUNCAN, and JESSUP, ELON H.Intimate golf talks. il *$3 Putnam 796

Back to Index Next