L

20–17976

Mme Patti never realized her intention of writing an autobiography for which she had designated the author of the present volume as her collaborator. The request however gives authority to this biography for which the author has collected material from the zenith of Patti’s career to the close. The book contains numerous portraits of the singer taken at various ages and in many rôles; appendices and an index.

Reviewed by H: T. Finck

“Very suggestive, at times somewhat irritating, but always full of interest. Mr Klein is not a literary man, he is a chronicler; his book will remain as the one accurate record of the career of a diva who, in her special line, has as yet no rival.” M. F. Egan

KLEISER, GRENVILLE.Pocket guides to public speaking. 10v ea *$1 Funk 808.5

Mr Kleiser, formerly instructor in public speaking at Yale divinity school and author of a number of works bearing on the subject, has prepared the ten small volumes that compose this series. The titles are: How to speak without notes (20–7372); Something to say: how to say it (20–7370); Successful methods of public speaking (20–7371); Model speeches for practise (20–7369); The training of a public speaker (20–7373); How to sell through speech (20–7300); Impromptu speeches: how to make them (20–7375); Word-power: how to develop it (20–7374); Christ: the master speaker (20–7277); Vital English for speakers and writers (20–7283).

“In these days when the tendency is so strong towards degeneracy in the use of the English language it would be difficult to exaggerate the value of such a contribution as Professor Kleiser has made in these volumes towards the use of proper forms and pure language in ordinary speaking as well as writing. They are of almost equal value to the clergyman, lawyer, publicist, salesman and letter-writer.” H. H. F.

“In this case the whole is actually less than one of the parts, for in volume 1 Mr Kleiser gives a chapter of Quintilian that is worth appreciably more than all of Mr Kleiser. His additions to it subtract from it by hiding it from the casual gaze.”

“The suggestions are sensible, sound, comprehensive, and written in terse and understandable language. Many practiced speakers could improve their style by following them.”

KLICKMANN, FLORA (MRS E. HENDERSON-SMITH).Lure of the pen. *$2.50 (4c) Putnam 808

20–6889

In her preface to the American edition of this “Book for would-be authors” the author says, “No one can teach authors how or what to write; but sometimes it is possible to help the beginners to an understanding of what it is better not to write.” She tells these beginners why they fail, emphasizes the need of training, tells them three essentials in training and how to acquire them. She also tells them how to give themselves a course in observation and how to assess spiritual values. The contents are in five parts: The mss. that fail; On keeping your eyes open; The help that books can give; Points a writer ought to note; Author, publisher, and public.

“The author gives much good advice (a great deal of it very elementary) to literary aspirants.”

“Practical in many respects, the book is of little use in teaching the ‘would-be author’ how to become an artist. Miss Klickmann’s instruction is from an editorial standpoint, not from the artist’s, and as such her volume has its value for the novice who knows no better than to believe that literary greatness and fame come with a successful appearance in the magazines.”

“Her book is remarkably well done, and may very well help some real talent on its way; and, apart from that, it is written in so lively a style, so full of piquant anecdote and illustration, that it is a pity that the more sophisticated reader, who would really much more enjoy it than the ‘would-be’ author for whom it is written, is not likely to encounter it.” R: Le Gallienne

“Miss Klickmann’s work is adapted not only to people without knowledge but to people without brains. There is an iteration of the familiar, an elaboration of the simple, an elucidation of the clear.”

“It might be said that if a young writer fails to profit by this inspirational book he had better leave off his attempts to write.”

“The substance of the teaching is helpful, and the manner encouraging without being effusive.”

“On the professional side, her suggestions are of great practical value. If any adverse criticism can be made, it is that she does not classify thoroughly her comment on the various types of material discussed. Miss Klickmann’s advice is not effusively or obscurely pedantic. It is all breezy and to the point.”

“She wields herself a very bright and ready pen, and out of the abundance of her experience she gives in a flow of headed paragraphs helpful advice on every side of the subject.”

KLUCK, ALEXANDER VON.March on Paris and the battle of the Marne, 1914. il *$3.50 Longmans 940.4

(Eng ed 20–10378)

“Alexander von Kluck, generaloberst, has written a book about his Belgian and French adventure. It was completed in February, 1918, on the eve of the great German offensive in Picardy. It is the personal observations, impressions and opinions of a commanding general who reviews his own actions in the quietude of his study and illustrates them with the orders issued to him and by him, but with very little information beyond the manoeuvres of his own army in the field and almost none of the enemy. Evidently the sub-title to the book, ‘The battle of the Marne,’ is a characterization of the British editors, for the author calls it ‘The battle on the Ourcq’ and devotes the last third of the book to it. Still, if the British editors have given the book a title which shall more pointedly appeal to readers of English, they have also furnished the book with something far more important: Footnotes by the experts of the Committee of imperial defense. These notes check up von Kluck’s data, correct his errors, and often qualify his conclusions.”—N Y Times

“His book lacks the attractive personality and humor of Ludendorff’s, the intimate observations of von Hindenburg’s. There is nothing picturesque about it. All the same, as has been said, the military historian will find therein a mine of academic information which he cannot afford to leave unexplored.” Walter Littlefield

“A valuable contribution to military history.”

KNAPPEN, THEODORE MACFARLANE.Wings of war; with an introd. by D. W. Taylor. il *$2.50 Putnam 940.44

20–15470

“This book describes in detail the contribution made by the United States to aircraft invention, engineering and production during the world war. Five of the most important chapters are devoted to the origin, development and production of the famous Liberty engine. Mr Knappen is among those who believe that in spite of all the revelation of Congressional investigations made during the past two years the aircraft achievements of our government, considering our unpreparedness at the outset, were highly creditable.”—R of Rs

KNIBBS, HENRY HERBERT.Songs of the trail. il *$1.50 Houghton 811

20–19670

Poems of the far West and the cattle trails. Among the titles are: I have builded me a home; The pack train; The hour beyond the hour; The sun-worshipers; Gods of the red men; Arizona; Trail song; Waring of Sonora-Town; The long road West; Old San Antone.

“This is the West, seen first hand but seen through the perspective of Mr Knibbs’ Harvard training. One may suspect that these westerners are a bit more intellectual than the average cowpuncher, but the poems perhaps are the more readable for it.” C. F. G.

“Good, honest work of its kind, with occasional beauty and much narrative interest. ‘The wind’ is a strong and individual poem, especially fine in atmosphere and imagery. Mr Knibbs is far more of a poet than the much advertised Robert W. Service.”

KNIPE, EMILIE (BENSON) (MRS ALDEN ARTHUR KNIPE), and KNIPE, ALDEN ARTHUR.Mayflower maid. il *$1.90 (3c) Century

20–16501

A story of the coming of the Pilgrims. Barbara Gorges is a timid motherless girl who starts out with her father from Leyden in the Speedwell. When the Speedwell and the Mayflower are obliged to run in to Plymouth, Barbara’s father becomes the victim of a fatal accident and she is left an orphan. Fortunately for her, she is taken under the protection of Myles Standish and his wife Rose. The story then follows closely the historical narrative, and describes the trip across the Atlantic, the landing at Plymouth, the first hard winter, the death of Rose Standish, the relations with the Indians, the love story of John Alden and Priscilla Mullens, and finally that of Myles Standish and Barbara herself.

“More interesting than Taggart’s ‘Pilgrim maid,’ gives a good picture of life in the colony.”

KNOWLES, MORRIS.Industrial housing. *$5 McGraw 331.83

20–16847

“Morris Knowles, an engineer of vast experience and the chief engineer of the housing division of the United States Shipping board, understanding the need of the interdependence of engineer, architect, town planner, landscape gardener, sanitarian, utility designer, contractor, real estate agent and the public spirited business man and city official in the development of a successful city plan and in the solution of the housing problem, has written the book, ‘Industrial housing.’ Housing is taken in its broadest meaning, with all its relations to other problems. The town plan, streets and pavements, water supply, sewerage, waste disposal and public utilities are some of the specifically municipal problems treated in this work. Illustrations and charts, a good bibliography and an analytical index complete its usefulness.”—N Y P L Munic Ref Lib Notes

“Comprehensive and readable presentation of the subject of industrial housing.”

“The book is a store of invaluable information.”

KOBRIN, LEON.Lithuanian village; auth. tr. from the Yiddish by I: Goldberg. *$1.75 Brentano’s

20–6127

“In a series of sharp vignettes the book presents to us an environment almost extinct today—the environment of a drab little village in the pale. In restrained and simple language a restrained and simple folk is depicted dragging its weary body and soul through the whole cycle of the monotonous year. You read how those Jews half strangle each other in their efforts to earn a kopeck or two; you hear those bitter wives curse at their stalls, and see those stunted husbands pore over their holy books; you feel the grimy superstition that clogs the daily life of those villagers, know the smallness of their horizon and the narrowness of their vision—and you love them nevertheless. And somehow you are impressed that the hegira of their offspring to the land where ‘Jews can be policemen,’ was a far from woeful event in the history of the soul of the new world.”—New Repub

“The whole work is frankly realistic, softening no oaths and tempering no vices. Yet withal, it is a refreshing bit of reading, for despite the bitterness and ugliness floating like scum on the waters of that ghetto life, one never quite loses consciousness of the great deep cleanness beneath it all. In that Kobrin proves himself a master: his realism is suggestive and translucent, not blunt and opaque.” L: Brown

“Leon Kobrin has lived the life he writes about. His bitter realism is no creation of fancy; the atmospherical color is without blemish.” Alvin Winston

“Once in a while, a race produces an author capable of presenting its message in language of so great simplicity and force that his writings can be appreciated anywhere in an adequate translation. The Jewish race possesses such a writer in Leon Kobrin.”

KOEBEL, WILLIAM HENRY.Great south land. *$4.50 (5c) Dodd 918

A20–884

The book treats of the republics of Rio de la Plata, and southern Brazil of today. These countries the author, in his introduction compares to the ugly duckling which turned out a swan. Already before the war they had steadily risen in importance and “there is no doubt that the shifting sands of international politics and the racing centres of power have left these South American states in an economic position stronger than any which they have previously enjoyed.” Part 1 contains: Buenos Aires of yesterday and today; The Argentine capital in war time; Cosmopolitan influences; Some topical episodes; The work of the British in Argentina; Argentina’s political prospects; Internal and external affairs; Rio and its surroundings; British and Americans in South America; The press of the eastern republics. Part 2 is devoted to the industrial points of the various states and there is an index.

“A map would have been helpful to the reader.”

“Mr Koebel is essentially a writer sympathetic to the lands of which he writes. What his book loses in depth it gains by virtue of this sympathy, by its author’s earnest desire to see things from the South American angle, without in the least abandoning the attitude of a man alive to the defects of those whom he is describing. It is a stimulating work by a sane and just writer.”

“Mr W. H. Koebel’s last addition to the, by now, rather lengthy series of books which he has written on Spanish-America, is disappointing.... He obviously knows as well as anybody that the problems are there and call for answer. But he does little more than indicate their presence, and then wander in generalities and descriptions, not without occasional repetitions.”

KOONS, FRANK THOMAS.Outdoor sleeper. *$1 (6c) Norman, Remington co. 613.79

20–13861

A little book inspired by the sleeping porch. The author writes of outdoor sleeping as a source of health and pleasure. There are chapters on: The first night; Outdoor toggery; The birds; The romping children of the night; The chastened hours of the morn; The trees; Summer; Winter; The stars; Health and happiness. A star map serves as frontispiece. The book was first copyrighted by the Journal of the Outdoor Life.

KOOS, LEONARD VINCENT.Junior high school. *$1.36 Harcourt 373

20–10298

The author calls attention to the great dissimilarity that still prevails in the junior high school movement in every aspect of organization and function. He holds that the experimental stages of the movement should now be reviewed and stock be taken of the current opinions and practices, with a view towards clarifying thought as to its peculiar educational purposes. With an introduction by Henry Suzzallo the contents are: The movement for reorganization; The peculiar functions of the junior high school; The test of the organization; The program of studies; Other features of reorganization; The standard junior high school; Tables and graphs.

“In six chapters Professor Koos has presented an analysis which goes to the heart of the junior high school movement. The book is a striking example of what can be done by way of giving information without becoming drearily encyclopedic.”

KOSSOVO; heroic songs of the Serbs. *$1.25 Houghton 891.8

20–10292

These ballads, translated by Miss Helen Rootham and printed with the original on alternate pages, come with an introduction by Maurice Baring and an historical preface by Janko Lavrin. Mr Baring says of them that their colors are primitive like those of the primitive painters, their similes are taken from a first-hand communion with the sights and facts of nature and their emotions are the primitive emotions of man. But their soul is saturated with the Christian faith of the Crusaders and they sing the sorrow of Serbia, the unspeakable anguish of a people who are victorious in defeat. In the historical preface Janko Lavrin divides the Serbian folk-songs into four groups of which this, the Kossovo-cycle, deals with the heroic battles fought on the Kossovo plain against the Turks. The songs are: The fall of the Serbian empire; Tsar Lazar and Tsaritsa Militsa; The banquet on the eve of the battle: a fragment; Kossanchitch and Milosh: a fragment; Musitch Stefan; Tsaritsa Militsa and the Voyvoda Vladeta; The maiden of Kossovo; The death of the mother of the Jugovitch; The miracle of Tsar Lazar.

“Miss Rootham’s simple and dignified translation makes it possible for English readers to appreciate the heroic quality of the originals.”

“The primitive naturalness and high Christian idealism of the songs make them very readable.”

“English is not very well fitted to cope with it and, just as Longfellow often failed in Hiawatha, so Miss Rootham often fails to get the swing of the trochaic measure. The original is so rich in alliteration, often rhyming with vivid flashes of poetic figure, that it is impossible to reproduce its magic effect. It requires a poet to translate poetry; mere knowledge of a foreign tongue does not communicate the magic of words, and Miss Rootham’s version, while useful, will hardly satisfy the exacting lover of Serbian poetry.” N. H. D.

“The poems are vigorous and give a pleasing view of what really fine work has been done in Serbia.” H. S. Gorman

“They are good poems even for us; their sheer probity is a joy. They have that rudeness touched with elegance—so different from mere rudeness—which is the spell of ancient song for modern taste.” O. W. Firkins

KOUYOUMDJIAN, DIKRAN (MICHAEL ARLEN, pseud.).London venture. *$1.50 Dodd 824

20–4439

The author is an Armenian who has dropped his real name for a more pronounceable signature. The book consists of a series of “self-conscious” essays wherein the author under the guise of reminiscences discourses on men and writers, women and love, on death, friendship and modes of living. It is a book of moods also and the writer fits in the subject or person to fit the mood. The chapter vignettes are from drawings by Michel Sevier.

“The chief merit of the book is that the author has taken great pains with his style, which is considerably more attractive than the substance of the book.”

“Set forth with a cynical humor which narrowly escapes brilliance, much of the narration is downright fascinating.”

“A curious introspective fragment of a story told in a succession of spasms of introspection. It suffers from its form, but as it was evidently written for occasional serial publication, that could not be avoided. The book and its illustrations have a certain charm.”

“It is difficult exactly to understand the ‘challenge’ of this book or what the writer meant to do with it. There is undoubtedly a fascination hard to analyse about the book and the personality revealed in it.”

KRAFFT, HERMAN FREDERIC, and NORRIS, WALTER BLAKE.[2]Sea power in American history; with an introd. by William S. Benson. il *$4 Century 973

20–22044

The object of the book is to make clear the importance of sea power in both its military and commercial aspects. For this purpose it traces out and connects up into one continuous story the rise, development, and present condition of both branches, showing their mutual dependence upon each other. Biographical sketches are given of such outstanding figures in our naval development as Paul Jones, Stephen Decatur, David Porter, John Ericsson, David G. Farragut and Alfred T. Mahan. Among the contents are: The defeat of British sea power gives America independence; The rise of commercial sea power in America during the Napoleonic wars; Sea power dominates the War of 1812; Sea power aids national expansion; The blockade a decisive instrument of sea power in the Civil war; Sea power splits the confederacy in two; Sea power in the Pacific; American sea power in the world war. The book is indexed and illustrated, with maps and diagrams of naval actions.

KREYMBORG, ALFRED.[2]Blood of things. *$2 Brown, N. L. 811

20–13986

Mr Kreymborg’s second book of “free forms” contains verses grouped under such titles as: A five and ten cent store; Zoology; Arias and ariettes; Crowns and cronies, etc.

“Nine-tenths of ‘Blood of things’ is unintelligible, or if intelligible is irrelevant to any human concern. The one-tenth which is intelligible and relevant is diffuse to the point of evaporation.”

“Mr Alfred Kreymborg’s new book is decidedly interesting to read, but it is more often merely interesting than lifting and compact with genuine poetry. Mr Kreymborg is inconclusive; his gestures are tentative; he does not strike fire with sufficient frequency to establish him firmly as an authentic poet.” H. S. Gorman

“A critic who is unprejudiced and willing to be convinced by the free versifiers will acknowledge that there are one or two poems that are pretty poor. He would probably set aside the book with the comment that Mr Kreymborg has done some things well, but that anybody could do what Mr Kreymborg has done if he would consent to go just a little bit crazy.”

KREYMBORG, ALFRED.[2]Plays for merry Andrews. $2 Sunwise turn 812

The five plays are: Vote the new moon; Uneasy street; The silent waiter; At the sign of the thumb and the nose; and Monday.

“Their unreality and irony are invigorating and real, and Gordon Craig was quite right in considering them as a test for actors. The title should warn the professionals off and attract the amateur.” E. P.

“There is no doubt that Mr Alfred Kreymborg has both talent and intelligence. But he has not reached the stage of any clear communication. The lilt of these playlets haunts the ear but teases the mind. There is a vertigo in the oddly rhythmed prose. But the intentions are dark, and where the darkness lifts they seem perilously commonplace.” Ludwig Lewisohn

“Almost all of his plays possess that direct appeal to children, although they are often too abstruse or fantastical for older audiences. To enjoy them completely one must have an open mind, unprejudiced by stage conventions. The whole volume, with its delightful caricatures, with its humors, with its tongue-in-the-cheek bombast, is very reminiscent of Dickens.” Malcolm Cowley

KUNOU, CHARLES A.American school toys and useful novelties in wood. il *$1.25 Bruce pub. co. 680

20–26563

The author is supervisor of manual training in Los Angeles, where toy making has for some years made up part of the course of study in this department. During the war interest in the subject was greatly stimulated by the sale of the children’s products for the benefit of the Red cross. A general preliminary discussion of toy making, its educative value, the materials used, etc., is followed by a series of fifty-two plates with designs for toys.

“This book gives excellent toy working drawings.”

KYNE, PETER BERNARD.Kindred of the dust. il *$1.75 (1½c) Cosmopolitan bk. corporation

20–8274

For the scene of his story the author creates a feudal fief in the Pacific northwest. Hector McKaye, head of the Tyee Lumber Company, is known as “the laird,” his son Donald as “the young laird.” Donald comes home from college and a trip around the world to find his old chum Nan Brent the mother of a nameless child. Nan had believed herself married and to protect the real wife of the man who had deceived her is keeping his identity secret and bearing her shame. Donald finds that he loves Nan and is willing to marry her. Interference on the part of his mother and sisters drives her away. Donald is stricken with typhoid and to save his life his mother telephones to Nan to return. Following his recovery steps are again taken to prevent the marriage but Donald is obdurate. A break with his father results. The war comes, Donald enlists, goes to France, comes home again and there is a happy reunion, with a copy of Nan’s marriage license turning up to prove her innocent intentions.

“The story is powerful and holds the attention of the reader in an unusual manner.”

“For sustained interest and constructive workmanship Mr Kyne seems, in ‘Kindred of the dust,’ to have outdone his previous efforts. Wholesome, entertaining story.”

“The hero is almost too noble to be true.”

“A strong, straightforward, unaffected story, seasoned, and not overseasoned, with sentiment.”

LABOULAYE, EDOUARD RENÉ-LEFEBRE DE.Laboulaye’s fairy book; tr. by Mary L. Booth. il *$2.50 (5c) Harper

20–19778

This book of fairy tales, translated from the French, was copyrighted in America in 1886. Kate Douglas Wiggin has written an introduction for the new edition. The titles are: Yvon and Finette; The castle of life; Destiny; The twelve months; Swanda, the piper; The gold bread; The story of the noses; The three citrons; The story of Coquerico; King Bizarre and Prince Charming. The pictures are by Edward G. McCandlish.

Reviewed by Hildegarde Hawthorne

“Delightful collection of tales.”

LADD, GEORGE TRUMBULL.Intimate glimpses of life in India; a narrative of observations in the winter of 1899–1900. il *$3 Badger, R. G. 915.4

19–15644

“In his observations of Indian life Professor Ladd was chiefly concerned with educational, social and religious conditions. For the study of these he had unusual opportunities. This book gives a summary of what he learned from personal interviews with the viceroy and secretary of education in Calcutta, with natives and missionaries, and with Hindu philosophers. Professor Ladd also describes the social customs of the people and outlines some of the political reforms that are demanded by the native leaders.”—R of Rs

“Although the book makes no contribution to the literature regarding India, it is interesting as reflecting the impressions of an American professor concerning the practices and cults of the Indian peoples.”

“Whether the generalizations he makes, based upon conditions as he observed them two decades ago, still hold true in full or not, they are interesting as reflecting the reaction of a foreigner, well equipped by his training in educational and philosophical work, to an alien and intricate civilization.”

LAIDLER, HARRY WELLINGTON.Socialism in thought and action. *$2.50 (2c) Macmillan 335

20–3555

The author is secretary of the Intercollegiate socialist society and editor of the Socialist Review. The important service of his book is that it gives an up-to-date treatment of the new developments in socialism and relates them to the movements of the past. It covers “the socialist criticism of present day society, the socialist theory of economic development, the socialist conception of a future social state and the activities, achievements, and present status of the organized socialist movement in various countries of the world.” (Preface) It is divided into two almost equal parts: Socialist thought, and The socialist movement. The work is intended to serve as a textbook for college classes and study groups, and “as a ready reference book for the thinkers and doers who have come to realize that an intelligent understanding of this greatest mass movement of the twentieth century is absolutely essential to enlighten citizenship.” There is a select bibliography on socialism and allied subjects, and an index.

“Of especial interest is the discussion of the Russian revolution, and recent developments in European and American socialism, concerning which the data are the latest available.” G. S. Watkins

“Throughout the entire work differences of opinion are given; arguments are sound and the proof offered scientific. In fact it is a splendid presentation of this movement. Not only does the book deserve serious attention but it would make an excellent text.” G. S. Dow

Reviewed by L. M. Bristol

“Dr Laidler has that discreet receptivity for conflicting opinion and dogma which gives his work, within the limits of socialism, the stamp of a firm, intelligent neutrality.”

“As a text book, Mr Laidler’s volume is invaluable. It reveals a ceaseless and remorseless study and reading of the socialist movement in all its manifestations and in all the questions that have aroused controversy. Impartial as a text book, it is yet vivid as a chronicle of events caught almost on the wing.” H. S.

“On its interpretive side, Comrade Laidler has used his material judiciously and his presentation is such that no charge of bias will be made by the reader, whatever may be the latter’s own view. His attitude is an objective one. A very good index rounds out one of the best contributions that has come from the pen of any American socialist author.” James Oneal

“Probably as full and clear a statement of modern socialistic concepts as can be had in the English language.”

“As a book it suffers from two distinct faults. In the first place it tries to cover too much ground. No one can write a competent survey of every aspect of socialism in a moderate-sized volume. The book attempts, in the second place, a treatment of the most recent events in the socialistic movement at a time when the evidence for anything more than a bare and jejune statement of congressional resolutions is simply not available. Yet the book transcends these deficiencies. It shows, even to an outsider, what immense justification there is for a faith in the prospects of socialism.” H. J. Laski

“Any one interested in the labor movement will use his book several times a week. Its mass of facts is not a mess, but an orderly mobilized compilation.” Arthur Gleason

LAING, MARY ELIZABETH.[2]Hero of the longhouse. (Indian life and Indian lore) il *$1.60 (2½c) World bk.

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